Writer Elizabeth Gilbert has asked her fans for their prayers in a short, heartfelt post on Facebook yesterday.
“Dear Ones,” she addressed her note.
“I don’t usually do this, but I just wanted to ask for some extra loving prayers today, if any of you have some heart and soul space free to offer. Thank you, and all love, LG”
While she didn’t specify, one might assume this call for prayers has something to do with the health of Rayya Elias, her best friend of 15 years.
In September, the Eat, Pray, Love author revealed Elias was suffering from pancreatic and liver cancer. Gilbert also announced she and the Syrian-born American musician, filmmaker, and author were in a romantic relationship.
“I do not merely love Rayya; I am in love with Rayya. And I have no more time for denying that truth,” she wrote.
“The thought of someday sitting in a hospital room with her, holding her hand and watching her slide away, without ever having let her [or myself!] know the extent of my true feelings for her… well, that thought was unthinkable.”
Gilbert and husband José Nunes split in July, a breakup Gilbert confirmed was a result of her blossoming relationship with Elias.
“For those of you who are doing the math here, and who are wondering if this situation is why my marriage came to an end this spring, the simple answer is yes,” she wrote.
“Here is where we stand now: Rayya and I are together. I love her, and she loves me. I’m walking through this cancer journey with her, not only as her friend, but as her partner.”