Courage is a very powerful word when you look behind its meaning…
“…to have courage is to have the ability and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation”.
The word courage has been casually discussed around our dinner table amongst family and close friends in the context of my journey to the mountains, a journey that one day will lead me towards the summit of Mount Everest, fulfilling the dream of a young boy who has always believed that anything is possible – just believe in that dream!
This week my sister Debbie, who is affectionately known to us as Merle, and I spoke about my journey and what it meant for her. Whilst she is an exceptionally talented musician and accomplished athlete it seems she never got that climbing and mountaineering gene.
And rest assured, I never got that musical gene. If they handed out awards for singing in the shower I’d still go home empty handed.
But as we spoke on the telephone tears rolled silently down my face…
Recently, Deb was diagnosed with cancer, a cancer that has taken a significant hold on her body in a relatively short period of time.
And here she was encouraging me to chase my dream, assuring me that she took great strength from my dream and my journey – and making me promise that no matter what happens to her that I must continue on my journey.
As we spoke she explained that the cancer that has infected her precious body is her own Mount Everest.
She reached out and said…
“Baz, take my hand and we will climb our own Mount Everest together, one step at a time, for that is the only way”.
Deb, Merle sent the following note to her many friends recently and I want to share it with you. I’m hopeful that it will inspire, inspire those who perhaps face their own Mount Everest…
Yes, courage is a very powerful word and I learnt its true meaning this week…
The Beginning of a New Chapter
By “Merle”

I am beginning a very important journey. So much to achieve, new directions to take, challenges to overcome, happiness to be found….endless opportunities to grab hold of. A time to redefine, evolve and embrace life to the fullest.
With the love and support of my family and dear friends, long standing and new, it will hopefully be a celebration of the human spirit that lives within us all. I am blessed that I have today and the time to make each moment count… moments that we can reflect and smile upon. Moments of “BEING” whatever that may be and wherever it may takes us.
I will be taking each precious day at a time and endeavouring to seek all the happiness and joy each of them bring. I will be promoting and encouraging all who know me to do the same. My one wish and only wish is for everyone to not focus on the disease (that is the doctor’s job) it is what it is. Find the love, joy, precious “ididocic” (idiotic) moments filled with laughter and all the happiness in the world during this time. NOT EASY…CHALLENGES NEVER ARE…DEFINITELY DOABLE!!!!
I understand this is a big ask for all who stand on the perimeter of watching someone they love go through this. To me, it is counter-productive to dissect and try to analyse and make sense of this disease consuming my body. It would obscure the human spirit that defines ME as a person…I am most afraid of losing sight of who I am in all this. If you can help, it would be beneficial not only for me, but ALL of us, please participate however and in whatever way you can to… HELP ME…REMIND ME…REMEMBER AND ENHANCE THE MEMORIES!!! For after all, this chapter is NOT ALL ABOUT ME. It is about ALL of us and what we gain from this experience.
CONFRONTING…yes, very much so. If not confronted we have not the opportunity to overcome this.
SCARY…mmmm!!! I imagine it could be at times. I do believe, always have, that knowledge and sharing is powerful. The understanding gained and shared puts things in perspective and allows you to take away or minimise the “scariness” to some degree.
SAD….definitely, we will all feel it. Sadness is a positive emotion, I believe it shows how much we truly treasure, connect and love each other. It is an emotion to not hide…we cannot be BRAVE all the time, that would be counter-productive, and we would go insane. Release the tears, smile and begin again.
“IDIDOCIC” MOMENTS…Yes please, lots and lots of them!!! Also remember past “ididocic” experiences and share with everyone who will listen. Laugh, BIG belly laughs and rejoice!!!!
I am looking forward to the moments we will all share and I am truly blessed, humbled and consider myself the most fortunate person on this earth to have such beautiful people in my life. Thank you for being you and hold on…this journey is going to be a big one with lots of opportunities.
Love Merle x x x
Merle is a warrior, and filled with courage. Sending love and light your way.
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Thanks Nancy, feeling it!
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OH my you are really dealing with something that is life changing and also it causes us to reach very deep when one battles a disease such as this. My girl from the age of 2 has battled sickness and disease and I can tell you while it has been gut wrenching watching her suffer it also has been so rewarding because each year with her I watch her grow stronger and stronger. I love this post it is very encouraging! Climbing mountains together like this takes a different kind of courage because you heart is invested 100%. Blessings to you and I will pray for you and your family as you make this journey together! Hugs to you and loving prayers! MM 🙂
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Hey thanks Michelle, Deb (Merle) will work through this and we’ll all help her…
Life is a journey, but we can never be sure which path it will take us on! Cheers, Baz
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I know you will for sure! Cheers and blessings to you!
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what a lovely and thoughtful gesture. this is a wonderful idea from your sister, to help others to feel and understand and to support her, and what courage she has! hugs to her and to your entire family as she begins this next journey ) beth
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Thanks Beth, she is a remarkable person…
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What a clever and courageous sister you have!
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She surely is and she will come through this stronger than ever…!
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She has such a wonderful attitude and is able to convey her emotions so eloquently. I pray for her healing!
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Hey sweetie, thanks, and you know prayers truly work…! Thanks, Baz
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Thank you so much Baz for stopping by at my blog and for liking one of my posts which link me to your blog. God’s blessings to you and compliment of the season.
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Hi Baz, this has brought me to tears. What an amazing person she is to have such courage and the sensitivity to think of others while facing this.
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Man, she just blows you apart…she is truly amazing!
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Sorry to hear you sad news Baz x
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Hey Sas, life can throw lots at you, but how you tackle it is what defines us as people and Deb isn’t someone that will take it lying down…!
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your sister is amazing….sending lots of healthy thoughts her way….
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Hey BG, you are amazing and we both take strength from you!
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Thank you Barbara for your thoughts and taking the time to visit and express them. I do not consider myself amazing, just living life each day as we all do, I just have a bit more of a challenge that’s all.
I think Baz is truly amazing, I am blessed that I have a brother such as him. Love him to pieces/
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I hope the best for your sister. It would have taken amazing courage to even write the note.
We have a friend who went through the cancer experience. In one of those quieter conversations I remember him saying that in some ways he was lucky to get the disease. He re-evaluated everything. Bought the ranch he always wanted, built a house that was his dream, and enjoyed the land and his cows to the fullest. His happiest moment was seeing his “sea of cows”. He stopped putting things off and found happiness in every moment. I hope your sister finds her equivalent to “a sea of cows”!
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Thanks Deb, and you know, if you live one day at a time, just living the moment, you can get through anything, and that is how life should be…thanks for sharing your great insight, I know Merle will be touched by it… 🙂
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Thank you for sharing this story, I now visualize those “sea of cows” and dreams do really come true. X
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Thank you for sharing this story, I visualize those “sea of cows” reinforcing my belief to take each moment and embrace it and rejoice in it…!!!
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Thank you for reading the comment. I wish I had a picture of the ranch . It’s a work of love.
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Thank you for sharing the story, i now visualize those “sea of cows” and dreams really do come true !
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A letter full of meaning, hope and love for all Merle’s family and friends. Lots of good thoughts and prayers for the journey ahead
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Thank you…
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Thank you for you for your kind thoughts.
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Your sister Merle and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers as you climb your mountain. She is a beautiful sister!
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Hey Lavinia, two wonderful women in my life, Janet and Deb..you wouldn’t think a bloke could be so lucky… Yes, she truly is beautiful and Merle has enriched the life of all who have been touched by her…! 🙂
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Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, they mean a lot!!
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I have no words to adequately express…..
I greatly admire you both!
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Hey Mary, thanks!
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Thank you for your kind words
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Merle! It is I who should thank you for the kind words!
Your courage was with me when I had lung surgery on January 20. I didn’t understand how I could possibly have lung cancer when I felt fine, wasn’t coughing, had never smoked…etc. etc. But the nodule that the doctors removed was cancerous–an “adenocarcinoma.” I am told that I am lucky, because the cancer was determined to be a Stage 1A and had not spread to the surrounding areas.
The recovery from the surgery has been rather difficult. It was a pretty big cut the surgeon made! Removed a lobe from my right lung and broke a rib along the way too. When I woke up (and for many days after that), I felt like I actually had fallen off the top of a mountain top, to be sure. Hurt so much..
After all of that though, I still have my voice and I still have the music. So happy to be able to continue to enjoy “moments of being,” I am! So glad to have met you, Merle.
http://storieswithnobooks.com/2014/08/14/singing-darkness-into-light/
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Thank you for that!!
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Thinking of you both
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And that makes both of us feel warm…
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Thank you..I feel the warmth.
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Thank you for your thoughts
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Your sister has courage in abundance, Baz. May it never diminish. Make the most of what you have. Blessings on Merle.
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Thanks Linda, it will never diminish…thanks!
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My dear brother,family, friends and people such as you inspire and make my life so rich and wonderful every single day.
Thank you for your words of encouragement.
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My dear brother,family,friends And people such as you, inspire and make my life so rich and wonderful every single day.
Thank you for your words of encouragement!!
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