The Gift of Life

Posted on February 27, 2009 at 09:04 AM

Whilst many women walk to stay fit and healthy both mentally and physically,there is no doubt that women are motivated to walk for causes that give them meaning and purpose.
In the next few months there are countless opportunities to support organisations who are raising awareness and often funds to support their passion.
The Hibiscus Hospice is hosting "The Journey to Remember" on the 10-12 th April.

We are grateful to Marilyn for sharing her personal story as to why this event holds real significance to her and no doubt many others who have experienced similar challenges like Marilyn.

Marilyn’s Journey to Remember.

In 1996 my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was 84 years old. When he was offered chemotherapy he asked staff at the hospital to save it for a younger person who would benefit more from it. I helped my mum nurse this lovely man until his death in 1999.

In 2006 I was diagnosed with lymphoma non-hodgkins. Naturally I was devastated. I was far too young to die. I was only in my 50s and I wanted to see my gorgeous little grandchildren grow up. I wanted to see my daughter married.

The lymph node was removed and I was advised to complete a course of chemotherapy and radiation. For me, this seemed to be a gift given directly to me by my father. The course he had given back to the hospital for a younger person was given 10-years later, to his daughter.

Every day I recognise how lucky I am and when I was asked to participate in the inaugural Journey to Remember walk in 2007 I accepted immediately. What better way to celebrate my return to normal life. For me it was an ideal way to consolidate my feelings into a tangible concept.

Each time I visited the oncology ward at Auckland Hospital there were people all around me making the same journey, many of them younger than me. A part of me feels guilty that I should now be so well while others continue to suffer. Journey to Remember gives me the opportunity to think of all those people and send a prayer that they too will once again become well.

Journey to Remember is also an opportunity to walk over land not generally open to the public except for this one weekend a year. The walk ranges from stunning views of the Gulf; beautiful, peaceful glades and graceful stands of native bush. I particularly love the opportunity to visit the Hare Krishna temple in Riverhead, the Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Wainui, the tiny Wainui church and the historic church of Sts Peter & Paul in Puhoi.
Each time I have completed the Journey to Remember pilgrimage trail I return home with a great sense of wellbeing and a feeling of achievement. This walk is definitely addictive!

Marilyn Ward

If you are interested in The Journey To Remember" you will find more details atwww.hchospice.org.nz