August 4th...'Nearly There.'

It is a week away from a year since I started writing this and today will be my last entry. During my 'colouring' the daily writing kept me thinking and busy and in touch with so many of you who have responded to my whittering, and kept up a dialogue, which has in turn kept me up to date with, and in your lives. This conversation between us has been a major part of my  succeeding so well with all that has come my way and to all of you a big 'Thank you.'  

So although I have several months to go with a diluted form of pastel colouring for six more sessions, I do feel that I am nearly there. If all goes well and I don't have to stop and start again, I shall be done in December. So I am nearly back on course and after all I didn't need those heavy boots for all the 'shit' I was about to wade through in my first photo last year...[see August 18th]. Along the way, I have been blown back gently, had a  warm breeze behind me, seen benches to sit on in all the right places, found something to stand on when I needed a step or stone and been nudged forward and sideways if I needed it by everyone I have come across. Most of all I have learned a lot through all this..... not in a bookish sort of way but by having had so many new experiences and having met so many people with absolutely not one negative interaction. Gary; who has looked after me with endless cups of tea and love, Toby and Lucy; who have always been just close enough to give me reason to look forward to seeing them, and English family endlessly chatting on Skype and politely admiring my progress on camera! New friends who have made me laugh, given their time and shared understanding. Professionals who have astounded me with their knowledge, compassion, patience and skill. Fellow friends [also 'off-course'] who have coped with their situation with acceptance, stamina and humour.  A special note to those who didn't make it but who showed such grace and dignity with the short time they had.

This weekend in Victoria I was back on the breakwater in the harbour I so loved when I was living down there. It being early in the norning I found myself walking rather surreally with blue water and sky on my right in the harbour yet thick fog hiding the Pacific on my left. The concrete pier ran through the middle and from the one side of foggy water down onto the other sparklingly clear side a few feet in front of me there was a distinct rainbow. All excited, I hurried forward to walk through the arch but as I went forward so it did too and I was always 'nearly there'  and never got to go under it. So that's where I am..... nearly there and that's a pretty good place to be. The heavy stuff is behind me and now I'm almost back on course and am looking forward to the finish.

This spectacular photo was in the local Nanaimo paper last week showing the firework display in the harbour alongside the natural lightening show behnd it giving us all the most stunning sunset and thunderstorm all in one. 

Comments

[Kate Lusher]

Hi Liz - So pleased to see your blog this morning when I logged on and wonderful to hear that all is well and you are close to being back on course - complete with new friends and even more empathy, compassion, understanding and joie de vivre than before! It's been a wonderful year for us too with Roy returning to good health and strength and our finding such a fantastic place to live with the added bonus of hearing your news on such a regular basis, enjoying the great photos, hearing about your life and feeling part of your renascence.
We are so lucky to have such a wonderful health care system - we can't stop telling everyone about the constant and astoundingly brilliant care Roy, my Mum and I have received from the NHS and the care services and reminding everyone we meet how lucky we all are to live in the UK. Fortunately you have received similarly marvellous support and treatment in Canada.
Thanks so much Liz for such a great blog and for sharing it all with us in such an eloquent and typically 'wonderful Liz' way. We send our love and good wishes for the remainder of the journey.
Kate

[Sandra Chow]

Thank you Liz for sharing your journey with all of us. I am in awe of you and your strength. You are a beautiful lady! Keep in touch.
Love Sandra

[Sheila]

Congratulations Liz! You have shown so much strength along with your humour. Thank you for writing this blog. It really has been a great way to stay connected while you were "off course". Wishing you good health and great travels in the future.
Love Sheila

[Valerie]

Wow - the end of the blog...bitter sweet really. I will miss reading your words of wisdom and am so thankful that you have shared your experience and courage with us
all.

BUT - how exciting that this journey is changing course! I will miss being there to see you at the finish but know that I am with you in spirit.

Do stay in touch Liz, and all the best to you.

Much love,

V.

[Brigid Watson]

Hi Liz - it has been a privilege to share your journey. Your 'blog' has truly been an inspiration - just so enjoyed reading it from 'day one'.
When will you be in the UK and what about our 'date' with Anne in Galicia!?
Thinking of you as always. Love, Biddy x

[jenny]

Have just got bsck from a short journey to hear that you are at the end of a leg of a long sail, on a new mooring with new perspectives. Sometimes you've needed to sail into the wind, hitting it head on and other times you've let it carry you forward but either way you've stayed afloat!! BRILLIANT! Will be in touch soon. Love Jenx

[soonfen]

"Aundai chha" (nearly there or literally "it's coming") was the refrain from the Nepali porter/guide on one of my treks with friends in Nepal in answer to our constant question "Are we there yet?"...The trek seemed endless, but being "nearly there" was a good position to be in when we remembered to enjoy the moment and the beauty that was all around us ...so I guess Homer was right when he said "the journey's the thing". Thank you so much for letting me hop on this beautiful and colourful journey with you. I have learnt much from you and shall miss all your interesting stories, photos, songs, adventures...Take care and keep in touch :-)

[lucy astill]

Does it really have to end?????
(The blog I mean, not the treatment :).....
Love Lucy

[Anne]

Hi Liz, What a fantastic blog. Well done!! I've enjoyed reading it so much and keeping up to date with what has been happening with you. I think you should publish it!!
More news in email soon!! Love, Anne xx

[anne butler]

so pleased to hear that you are, in the words of the song, 'almost there'. I have found your blog so uplifting and like others, am almost sad that it has to come to an end. I will email soon with any news from this end. I cannot believe that it will soon be time to write those christmas greetings again but fully intend to keep in contact more frequently now that the lap top is up and running at this end. May those last few steps become lighter and lighter as you reach the end of your journey. Lots of love, Anne.

[Gill Kaye]

Hi Liz,
Was this the longest year you have ever lived? So true that you only appreciate being "on course" when you have been "blown off course". Your blog brings it home and thank god it was "only' a year for you - 'though you remained the Liz we all know through out - you deserve a medal or some equivalent!
Matt still applying to Canada by the way. All happy here with various girlfriends and boyfriends coming and going. J's boat, still moored at Southsea a great success. Aimee still tennis and Pony Club and boyfriends. Olly new job in Brussels. Angus 2nd year doctor going to specialize in surgery if poss. Beattie our academic, aiming for Oxbridge.
Love Gill and Jeremy
xx

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[adult chat]

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