Thursday, July 31, 2008

LOVE, HOPE, PASSION, DREAMS AND HEALING


When I started this blog I decided not to write about my personal life and my family. What I didn't bargain for was the friendship and the warm, caring blogging community who have made such an impact on my life. I received so many wonderful emails (and comments) after the Synchronicity post about the birds in my garden and my husbands fight against cancer. One of the emails I received said "your post has given me hope" and since so many lives are touched by cancer I decided to add another post along those lines because that is exactly what one needs to get one's mind around something that at first sounds so frightening. Hope.

It's not the first time our family has had to face cancer. Our precious eldest daughter lost her battle with lymphoma at just 16. It's a nightmare we deal with every day ...and though it is not easy we have learned to find ways to make it less painful ....and this is where passion, art and dreams come in.

Our friends, family and even strangers rallied around supporting us through the most devastating time of our lives but a time comes when life goes on and we have to go on for the sake of the people who love us. I can honestly say that Art, my passion, is the reason I didn't go completely insane. It healed me. It still heals me. Every day I would pick up a paint brush and begin, something. Anything that could grip me enough to direct my thoughts away from death and loss. Creating art takes me out of myself and transports me to a place where I focus on colours, textures, ideas and imagination.

My husband has his fishing. He is so passionate about it that he can switch off from the world by merely thinking about it. His passion played an important role in his own healing. Whilst recuperating after chemotherapy he would lie back in bed with his eyes closed, feeling weak and nauseous. Under his hand would be a fishing reel..... and a fishing rod.... and tangled spools of line with hooks. This took a lot of pressure off me because I knew that while he was thinking about fishing he wasn't giving up.



My youngest daughter is passionate about cooking in the style of those humerous TV personalities...Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Ainsley Harriett. Hands in, a pinch of this a pinch of that. Her face lights up when she speaks of fresh coriander, pancetta and homemade gnocchi. And yes I now agree that fresh coriander... makes all the difference.


On my noticeboard above my computer I look up at my favorite photograph. It is just a photocopy, but I treasure it. It was taken on Christmas day, only a few days before M started his chemotherapy. He had struggled with pain for a year before a second opinion bought to light the reason beneath his continual pain. He was so thin, grey and frail, I just wanted to hold him close and protect him. Twelve of us gathered that day to support our beloved M. We all learned a valuable lesson from this experience and that is that there is nothing so amazing as a family united in the face of adversity. Being a part of that, sharing the love, strength and courage of my family made every moment of the struggle worthwhile.

31 comments:

  1. Not going to write anything ~ I do not have the words ~ just that I send you a huge warm hug and a kiss on the cheek x

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  2. Robyn, you have such a generous heart. Bless you, and your family.xx

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  3. What a moving story and beautiful writing. I am almost in tears for you, for myself... and for all who have lost and for those who fight together. Roxanne

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  4. strength, struggle, love, courage, family, create, passion, dreams, healing, sharing...

    Robyn, these were the words that flashed at me, as I read your post today.
    Thank you for sharing something so precious.
    I'm in awe of your and your families strength.


    And yes fresh coriander, does make all the difference :)

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  5. Robyn, I am so sad to learn of the loss of your daugher, but so very touched by the love and strength of your family in the face of adversity. God bless you and yours. Thank you for sharing this.

    x o Willow

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  6. Art can heal.. along with care and compassion as you said.. I know that sharing your experience will give Hope to others that face these same circumstances...This was so good of you...
    I wish everyone could see this and learn to value life in all its preciousness.


    Hope your daughter pursues her passion for cooking...
    My oldest son, is crazy about it... it is almost all he ever talks about...

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  7. I would like to send you a hug and a kiss on the cheek too.

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  8. Thanks everyone for your warm generous, caring comments.

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  9. What a moving post. Your strength and generosity humbles me. Thanks for inspiring us all and consider yourself hugged.

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  10. When I started this blog I decided not to write about my personal life and my family

    instead you decided to write about art...but where does art end and life begin? Your beautiful work so obviously comes from a deep place and so is the fruit of what you have endured with such spirit.

    Abrazos xxxxx

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  11. we have such similar paths, but you are steps ahead...i am so glad you found your way towards healing through art...your pieces spoke to me long before i knew your story...your art is a gift to us all, but your strength...my gosh...that is what takes my breath away

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  12. Once again I am so touched...awed by my friends in this community.

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  13. robyn, this post is so beautiful and so powerful... really, it leaves me speechless and with tears in my eyes each time i read it. having also had a child leave early, i know of what you write... thank you for sharing this. and thank you wildcherry for your response... there really is no line in the sand between art and life... none at all.

    xxxooo

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  14. You have such generosity dear R. Thankyou.

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  15. You just left me a comment and I e-mailed you. Followed the trail back to this... oh Robyn, I needed to read this! You have gone through so much... I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. I am so sorry.

    Thank you for sharing...
    Thank you ! Thank you! Thank you!
    :)
    What beautiful words for the soul. What encouragement!

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  16. Angela, you (and all the others who are travelling this road) are the reason that I decided to share my story. Big hugs.

    Lynne and HHMN, thanks for your sweet comments.

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  17. My words are inadequate to express the beauty and strength and courage of this post...and of you and your family. Thank you for sharing the way in which you make your way through this life. It is amazing.

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  18. This is such a poignant post. And I'm so sorry to learn of your daughter's death. How incredibly agonising. the only way I could deal with such a thing, and when we thought my teenage son would die from his 4 day old burst appendix was putting it all in God's hands and knowing we had done all we could, prayed, etc. There was comfort in that.

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  19. How did I miss this post? Robyn, you have my admiration and good wishes. Your family is truly amazing.

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  20. Robyn I'm so glad you shared. I think Blogging is so wonderful because people do share and give and certainly receive in return. It is truly a community of friends and support, even though most of us have never met each other in person. I'm glad to be able to include you in my circle. Thank you.

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  21. My heart goes out to you and your family. You are so lucky to have each other. Your love, strength, courage and compassion is an inspiration.

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  22. So glad you found your way to writing about the loss of the most precious thing we have in life, the life we have created,the fear and the redeeming grace of hope. I enfold you in thoughts of love and healing for your whole family.

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  23. Arija, thank you for your kind and caring comment.

    Chris, thank you...we are so lucky to have our families and friends to lean on and share life ups and downs with.

    Heather, the blogging circle is a phenomenon that never ceases to amaze me. I too am glad to be able to include you in my circle. Thank you.

    Thank you Stevie and Kerri

    mmm, you are so right. You do everything that you can and then leave the rest in God's hands.

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  24. Oh, Robyn...words fail. I am in awe of you of your strength. Truly.

    We lost my cousin at the age of 19, 14 years ago, (wow, hard to believe it has been that long) and my aunt STILL spends weeks at a time in bed. She will never be the same. So that is my experience..that this is something one never recovers from...and yet here you are! I wish that I could look in your eyes and hug you tight right now. But since I cannot, I hope these words will suffice...thank you for showing me, for showing us all, your strength, your grace, your courage, and the beautiful product of the life you have lived...your breathtaking art.

    You inspire me. Thank you.

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    1. Thanks so much Amy.You have no idea how much I appreciate your message.

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  25. tlqigThat was such a moving story. I don't really know what to say but you are among friends.

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  26. Hello Robyn, so sorry to hear of your husband's illness and the loss of your daughter. I have experienced death in the family too and know that there aren't any clever words .. and we don't understand these strange things called life and death at all.. We just carry on don't we? Do the next thing and, yes, live for your work and those that you love. These things and living and dying in this beautiful world are what make it wonderful. Sending hugs and thoughts for this time x

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    1. Indeed, we have to carry on. Thank you Rima. xox

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  27. Some how I knew we had other connections, not just art. The loss of a daughter is a pain that keeps on giving no matter how long it's been. But some how I've learned I have to survive it. I see that you have found the way also. Cancer. I shall survive that one also. Just as your dear husband is. A big slobbery wet hug for all. Take care xo

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  28. Dear PJ, thank you. Life certainly throws many curve balls. I'm sad to hear of your loss and hope you are keeping strong and well. My husband just had his annual tests and is clear for another year.

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