Julie, I read your post and had nothing but admiration for your friend’s initiative in not letting the scam pandemic hold her back. She has enjoyed so many experiences and really lived for adventure. No mean feat with two children to look after. How sad that she has Stage 4 cancer, I hope she is on Fenbendazole or one of the other treatments for cancer. How sad for someone with such a love of life.
Straight from the heart and a nonetheless brilliantly constructed piece of writing. As a reader, I did not see that coming. As a friend you didn’t see it coming either. I lost both a sister in law and brother in law to cancer. Didn’t see it coming either. Unfortunately, in this era of excess deaths, we are evermore likely to see it coming - yet to feel devastated nonetheless. Thank you for reminding us not to feel powerless. Ultimately, your instinct was not to wallow but to absolutely honour and celebrate your incredible friend with your words.
Maybe privately I wallow a little, meditating on the injustice of it all but I wanted to put something out there that captures her spirit rather than the predicament she finds herself in.
Re your family members, yes sadly cancer is one of those diseases that touches so many of us. The stats tell us it’s coming for at least one person we love dearly.
There are so many clichés around cancer and disease in general. I hate the language of ‘fighting’ and ‘battling’. (I even prickled a little writing ‘braving the rain’ but liked the device of it against the initial bad weather) because I have always found it a bit patronising. As with any ‘fight’ then it becomes about winning and losing. I never want to read about her ‘losing her battle with cancer’ because whatever happens she is forever my winner in my heart and I refuse to connect her with failure of any sort.
Yes, totally agree re “the battle”. What you tend to see is people coping with the toxicity of chemo or contending with the social and administrative tailspin that they are knocked into. Cancer is one of those monetised bogeymen like terrorism or drugs that we’re all supposed to be engaged in a constant, profitable war with. I’m not saying it’s not real, but it’s ever present at a cellular level and carcinogens are practically unavoidable now. Living well is all we’ve got. Your graceful friend has been doing it right all along.
What a great tribute. What a wonderful full life lived. A life us people seeking to be free aspire to. Sending your friend healing vibes and prayers and a hug for you.🙏
Damn, what a post. I love this part "We chat like spies. Unpopular and controversial opinions on ‘Covid’ policy shifting between us as awkward chess moves as we discuss the implications of lockdowns" ....I could imagine in my mind you two giggling while others stare through their fear of the invisible enemy, you two shattered that into pieces.... you're a powerhouse right beside her....I'm so sorry for your loss (saw your other post), may she find equally delightful adventures on the other side and I'm sure your time together traveled with her from the earthly plane to her next journey. Blessings.
I remember that day fondly. It was a strange little cafe we ended up in, neither of us had been there before. There were lots of people you could tell were ‘regulars’ in there and we felt like out of towners, was all a bit ‘Slaughtered Lamb’. They were doing all those odd procedures like having you write in books to ‘sign in’ and I think the woman in charge was taking temperatures too. It was borderline comical and eerily silent. Just the clanging of spoons.
😔 I’m so sorry to hear this. It just goes to show you that we never truly know what’s around the corner for us. So let’s do what we want to (or have to) do now. It’s just getting up and out and actually doing it.
Sadly, it’s likely to come to us all at some point. More so than ever, it’s what we do in the present that really matters.
Yes the old cliches about trying to make the most of each moment ring true. Which is why right now, l am sat in a cafe chilling with a Hot Toddy listening to Bob Marley😂😂
This is why I’ve long left behind worrying about my job, for example, and whether things go right or wrong. Whatever happens, happens. It’ll either go wrong or it won’t. The two certainties. I’d have done my best to make sure things don’t go wrong, but hey. Some stuff is out of my control. Bottom line, in 20 years, no one will give a sh1t 🤣
She rocks, as do you 🧡 Sadly vulnerability and death meet us all, at some point. But some people shine brightly whilst they are able...
Indeed.
She continues to shine 🔥
Ace... x
Inspirational with a very sad sting in the tail. Hope her attitude to life’s journey helps her battle through. 🙏
Me too. She certainly has a lot of love behind her.🥰
Deeply sorry about your friend Julie. I hope she sees your beautiful tribute. Xxx
Her kids - 12 and 9 💔
I haven’t showed her, feel a bit weird, didn’t know what she’d think but thanks x
Yes, you know what's best.
Oh 12 and 9. Just awful.
Julie, I read your post and had nothing but admiration for your friend’s initiative in not letting the scam pandemic hold her back. She has enjoyed so many experiences and really lived for adventure. No mean feat with two children to look after. How sad that she has Stage 4 cancer, I hope she is on Fenbendazole or one of the other treatments for cancer. How sad for someone with such a love of life.
I only found out yesterday. I’m still in shock with it.
I don’t know what she’s on but she is very clued up so I am sure she’s making some well informed choices.
I wish her well Julie
Straight from the heart and a nonetheless brilliantly constructed piece of writing. As a reader, I did not see that coming. As a friend you didn’t see it coming either. I lost both a sister in law and brother in law to cancer. Didn’t see it coming either. Unfortunately, in this era of excess deaths, we are evermore likely to see it coming - yet to feel devastated nonetheless. Thank you for reminding us not to feel powerless. Ultimately, your instinct was not to wallow but to absolutely honour and celebrate your incredible friend with your words.
Maybe privately I wallow a little, meditating on the injustice of it all but I wanted to put something out there that captures her spirit rather than the predicament she finds herself in.
Re your family members, yes sadly cancer is one of those diseases that touches so many of us. The stats tell us it’s coming for at least one person we love dearly.
There are so many clichés around cancer and disease in general. I hate the language of ‘fighting’ and ‘battling’. (I even prickled a little writing ‘braving the rain’ but liked the device of it against the initial bad weather) because I have always found it a bit patronising. As with any ‘fight’ then it becomes about winning and losing. I never want to read about her ‘losing her battle with cancer’ because whatever happens she is forever my winner in my heart and I refuse to connect her with failure of any sort.
Yes, totally agree re “the battle”. What you tend to see is people coping with the toxicity of chemo or contending with the social and administrative tailspin that they are knocked into. Cancer is one of those monetised bogeymen like terrorism or drugs that we’re all supposed to be engaged in a constant, profitable war with. I’m not saying it’s not real, but it’s ever present at a cellular level and carcinogens are practically unavoidable now. Living well is all we’ve got. Your graceful friend has been doing it right all along.
What a great tribute. What a wonderful full life lived. A life us people seeking to be free aspire to. Sending your friend healing vibes and prayers and a hug for you.🙏
She is such an inspiration, Debbie❤️
Sorry to hear that. I remember you talking about her adventures before you were boosted off the bird. Cruel.
Yes, her adventures always lit me and I always wanted to spread that light. ❤️
Damn, what a post. I love this part "We chat like spies. Unpopular and controversial opinions on ‘Covid’ policy shifting between us as awkward chess moves as we discuss the implications of lockdowns" ....I could imagine in my mind you two giggling while others stare through their fear of the invisible enemy, you two shattered that into pieces.... you're a powerhouse right beside her....I'm so sorry for your loss (saw your other post), may she find equally delightful adventures on the other side and I'm sure your time together traveled with her from the earthly plane to her next journey. Blessings.
I remember that day fondly. It was a strange little cafe we ended up in, neither of us had been there before. There were lots of people you could tell were ‘regulars’ in there and we felt like out of towners, was all a bit ‘Slaughtered Lamb’. They were doing all those odd procedures like having you write in books to ‘sign in’ and I think the woman in charge was taking temperatures too. It was borderline comical and eerily silent. Just the clanging of spoons.
Just a beautiful tribute to your friend. ❤️
She was such an inspiring woman. She lived her life absolutely on her terms but was such a beacon of light to others at the same time. 🔥
Let hope her positive mental attitude beats any illness to. What an inspiration
Absolutely. 🔥
That's so sad, sorry to hear this about your friend Julie. Life just don't seem fair does it! So young and two young children 🥺 Sending love ❤️ xx
😔 I’m so sorry to hear this. It just goes to show you that we never truly know what’s around the corner for us. So let’s do what we want to (or have to) do now. It’s just getting up and out and actually doing it.
Sadly, it’s likely to come to us all at some point. More so than ever, it’s what we do in the present that really matters.
Yes the old cliches about trying to make the most of each moment ring true. Which is why right now, l am sat in a cafe chilling with a Hot Toddy listening to Bob Marley😂😂
This is why I’ve long left behind worrying about my job, for example, and whether things go right or wrong. Whatever happens, happens. It’ll either go wrong or it won’t. The two certainties. I’d have done my best to make sure things don’t go wrong, but hey. Some stuff is out of my control. Bottom line, in 20 years, no one will give a sh1t 🤣
Totally. Prioritise yourself, mate. We’re a long time dead.
I totally understand that.