I am cycling 416 km over 5 days in Thailand for ‘Giving Works – Women V Cancer – Cycle Thailand’ because I recently lost my best friend to cancer.
We all know someone, somewhere who is either suffering or passed on due to this horrendous disease. Cancer does not discriminate and therefore we need to take action in order to bring an end to cancer rather than more human lives.
My story begins with my dear friend, Phaeds.
Phaeds was one of the most loyal and truthful people I have ever had the pleasure to meet, and I loved her dearly. There was no challenge she could not meet and triumph against. The strongest character, with a centre of loving-kindness. So I ask myself, how and why such a person could ever succumb to something invisible, yet destructive and end her time here on this earth?
It started as breast cancer but then came back as secondary breast cancer in her bones, spreading to her brain and eventually in her liver.
Our brave girl battled for a long time. She hid her true suffering in order to save us our pain. To the very end, her spirit triumphed; cancer did not beat her or diminish her strength on the truly spiritual plane.
Our last trip together was to Thailand and it is for this reason I felt the need to travel back there for this cause. I will cycle the same route Phaeds and I backpacked previously.
A precious journey celebrating life in the moment. Moments I intend to relive and remember with the true friendship and sentiment we had for each other. Now and forever.
There are two types of people in this world; those who treasure life. Taking care of mind, body and spirit. Conversely, others who take the precious gift of human life for granted.
Phaeds was an athlete and a picture of health. As a professional sports massage therapist, she knew the importance of physical well being. She wasn’t a drinker. She didn’t smoke. She was a vegetarian. She was a strong spirit and had a lust for life.
Phaeds once told me “There’s a place at our dinner table any time you want.” this being true as I spent every Christmas dinner with Phaeds, her mother and father, sister Alice and husband Andrew. To them I must say, I love you all dearly and I am so sorry for your loss. You were and are the family I never had. You all made me feel whole and complete and I thank you for that kindness. Loss is devastating in any shape or form. Something I experienced from a young age as an orphan, losing my entire family when I was only three years of age. Phaeds and her family mitigated that loss and filled my life with a solid foundation of love and meaning.
And to you Phaeds; I can still hear your voice commanding me to climb that hill whenever we went running or cycling together, as hills are definitely not my forte!
In other words, lets work together on this cause and just do it!
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