“There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept,
things we don’t want to know but have to learn,
and people we can’t live without but have to let go.”
I run for these people and people like them.
Colonel Norman West – my Grandfather – Osophogeal Cancer: we spent many hours together fishing from the banks of the Rivers Mole & Ember. He was one of the most patient men on earth. He liked nothing more than good company, a stiff drink and a pipe full of tobacco. One of the few men of his age who liked to sit crosslegged on the floor..and occasionally even mastered the art of getting up again! His attempts at gardening, cooking and decorating were normally disastrous but he learned to give ‘expert’ advice from the sidelines. His illness was cruel but he never once complained. One of his final moments was to enjoy a glass of whisky with my Father – he truly was an Officer and a Gentleman.
My Uncle, Colin Johnson – Osophogeal Cancer: He made time for everyone and was never slow to open a bottle of red! He loved his family and friends, the phone was always ringing and the house never empty.
My Friend, Annabel – Ovarian Cancer: we went to school together from the age of 11. Annabel was quite a force to be reckoned with! She was full of energy, a real fighter. She died at the age of 36.
My Friend, Tania Farrell Yelland – Breast Cancer: we went to school together from the age of 11. Tania discovered she had breast cancer when she was pregnant with her son. She was kind and patient, stoic and full of determination. She died at the age of 38.
Friend – Pancreatic Cancer: A kind and inspirational friend who was an accomplished orator with a huge heart and a passion for running.
Who do you want to remember? I hope you feel able to add to this page by using the comments box below. Alternatively, use the ‘Contact Me’ page to email me and I’d be honoured to put up a photo of the person you’d like remembered.
Hi
Well there are quite a few people I will always remember and miss every day.
My Stepdad who died of cancer in 1991. He fought it to the end but couldn’t win sadly.
My Uncle, who died two years ago from cancer, I miss his fantastic sense of hunour and how much he treated me as his own daughter for so long.
My best friend Lyn, who sadly lost her fight a year ago after living with cancer for 10 years. I miss you every day Lyn and always will. There’s no other friend who can match up to you and what we shared over the years.
A good friend, Malcolm, I miss his lovely jokes and his gentlemanly manner and ways of looking after people.
John, Jeannette, Pat, David, Chris, Steve and so many more who just couldn’t keep fighting this awful disease. Each and every one you are in my heart and inspire me in so many different ways. Each day I survive with this disease is another bonus for me. We never know how long we’ve got but I’ll fight it with everything I’ve got.
Too many other people to mention, sadly, but you are all there in my heart too. I think of you all often with love and special memories.
Thanks to people like Joanna, it helps more and more people who are fighting the same foe as me, and giving it all they’ve got.
Thanks SO much for raising money to help others, you are really special and deserve much more than the thanks we can give you.
Bye for now
Karen x
Wow, it sounds like your grandfather was an amazing man. I really like the picture. Its really cool. Thanks for sharing this and my heart goes out to you when you lose somebody. And may God bless your family and loved ones.
Thank you, Curt, for such a lovely comment. The picture shows my Grandfather outside his home, Windsor Castle. I’m so glad you stopped by. God bless. Joanna