‘It was only when faced with death that I realized how badly I wanted to live’
I have a story to tell.
Its about a yellow bicycle.
But first let me introduce myself.
My name is Stephanie.
I am 58 years of age in my first life and 6 years old in my second life.
In April 2008 I was diagnosed with a metastatic melanoma and when I first heard my diagnosis (what the hell was that lump in my groin) I presumed I was going to die.
Those dark days waiting for PET scan results, to see where else it had spread to, were the worst in my life and during them I learnt my first lesson. It was only when faced with death, I realized how badly I wanted to live.
I grieved for the life I had taken so much for granted and the plans I had made for my life ahead.
I saw the long summer evenings cycling to the beach to meet up with my daughters and grandchildren for a swim disappearing into the heavens.
Those days sitting with friends drinking wine and saving the world would be no longer.
The Muddled Hen (a book of short stories and poems)I had planned to write was pffffffff all gone in a single day.
But the yellow bicycle had other idea’s.
‘Enough of this drama’ She exclaimed impatiently.
‘You are not dead yet’ She scolded.
She was right.
Instead, after surgery (Goodbye precious lymph nodes. Hello funny leg), and a years gruelling treatment (Goodbye wine and coffee and fun. Hello needles and ‘bed’ days),
I began my second life.
I celebrated its birth with a cycle across france. The yellow bicycle and I, one of us rusty! the other with a banjaxed leg. Feasting on grapes and wine and goats cheese and honey we trundled along.
I am now six years old and like a six year old full of wonder and delight in EVERYTHING.
MY BLOG: is my story of my new life with the yellow bicycle and the lessons I continue to learn from her saddle.
The photos we take, the paintings we paint, the theories and philosophies and thoughts we have about life. The snippets and stories we love to tell.
MY GOAL: There is none. We have no plans for the future in my story as I now know, no one has a future, we only have the present moment and we will live each moment, the yellow bicycle and I, as best we can.
PLEASE….. SIT UP ON THE BACK CARRIER AND I’LL TAKE YOU FOR A SPIN ON THE YELLOW BICYCLE.
jfmward said:
Onward…
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KaboodleMum said:
This is lovely!
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stephpep56 said:
thanks so much, over to read yours now 🙂
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KaboodleMum said:
Youre welcome 🙂
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Eugenie Street said:
Hello grom Lyon! You story found an echo here. Looking forward to reading more about your “renaissance” Tour de France!
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stephpep56 said:
thank you, yes need to get back to writing about that brilliant journey in ‘la Belle France’
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Girl, Independent said:
I’m so pleased I found your blog. You have such an amazing a attitude to life. Your posts have started to make me smile already! I’m looking do ward to reading more throughout the course, and into the future.
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stephpep56 said:
Thank you, your blog has struck a chord with me, I always wanted to travel to those faraway places (tonga and samoa) when I was young, this evening I will settle with a glass of wine and start reading your blog 🙂
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katzcloseup said:
You are not going to believe this! I am quickly logging in to give a (quick) look at the assignment and check out a few as examples, “As I wait to go to the hospital for my sister’s radical lymphectomy in groin (is that a word) she too has metastatic melanomah.” I plan to share your blog with her, so know that your words can be an inspiration and wealth of information for her days to come. I know this moment is not an accidental meeting. I look forward to following your perspective on life from the seat of that sweet yellow bike. – kk
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stephpep56 said:
Tell her …to keep her heart up
Tell her ….everything in life has a reason
Tell her ….I am thinking of her, that six years later I am SO well
Lovely to meet you and yes this moment is not accidental xxx
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katzcloseup said:
thank you, I will tell her that. – kk
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Pondero said:
Let’s roll!
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betteojala said:
I’m so glad that you are telling your stories and that I’m privileged to see them. I’ve had nothing so earth-shattering as a major illness, but I did retire from my life as an attorney at the end of June 2014. I too am enjoying my new life, which includes writing. Fun!
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stephpep56 said:
Thanks betteojla, look forward to reading yours . oh that I could retire and write full time . My dream 🙂
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Mother Hen said:
I look forward to reading about more of your adventures!
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stephpep56 said:
Thank you mother Hen, Its amazing! years ago I started (hand) writing a book of poetry which I had called The Muddled Hen, When I met you on line and saw your lovely photo of the hen I pulled it out and began to read through it, Oh how simple and naive was some of my work but I decided to open a new blog of poetry using it. thank you for the mind jog 🙂
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Wisdom's Quill said:
I’m all in!!!! Looking forward to the journey.
BE
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stephpep56 said:
Aw thanks , just checked your blog out , great writing skills,(to rhyme with Quill) will follow 🙂
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