Riding the waves
It comes in waves.
The pain.
And the love.
.
At 3pm.
Or 3am.
.
Gripping your stomach.
Or swelling your heart.
.
You travel across these tides gracefully.
Sometimes pulled under before resurfacing.
Sometimes lifted up on the rising crest.
.
Like the Disneyland rollercoasters you rode in December.
.
In between,
Precious time is spent
Important conversations are had
Wishes made explicit.
.
Some Goodbyes.
.
And from all corners of the planet come tales and testimonies of the ways small or mighty but always significant that you’ve rendered the world a place more meaningful.
.
Productions collaboratively created.
Disparate factions united.
Advice gently imparted.
Examples humbly set.
.
Adventures undertaken.
Courage inspired.
Ambition ignited.
Standards raised.
.
A stream of
Thanks to you
and
Because of you
and
Without you I’d never have
and
You’re the one who.
.
As Producer.
Leader.
Sister.
Role model.
Cheerleader.
Champion.
Daughter.
Friend.
Mother.
.
The marks you’ve left on the world;
Like the tattoos freshly inked on the reddened skin of your sisterhood.
.
They offer some solace,
These tributes.
.
When you allow yourself
You are able
However fleetingly
To let yourself
See yourself
As we all see you.
.
A living reminder that if you spend all your time waiting for the ending, you’re going to miss the show.
.
And what a show.
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On Coping is my story of surviving on the sidelines of cancer. It begins in 2022 with On Coping #1, written the day after my 41st birthday. The day my wife Imogen, the mother of my three children, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. It’s the story of what happened next. Read from the start.
George, I received an email from school linking to your blog. I’m incredibly sorry and sad to read this. I can’t even imagine what you’re all going through. Sending love, Katie x
George, your writing is extraordinary; the way you share your thoughts, feelings and experiences, allowing those of us that are your friends and family to bear witness, is generous, meaningful, and selfless. Imogen's legacy is being written as you go through these days. We do feel that you are truly with her, which is what you say below that you hope for. Though I think those of us reading your posts will agree that it is most definitely not the only thing you have to offer her. You are being the best husband, the best life partner, the best friend, that anyone going through this appalling journey could hope for. I know you want your writing to help others, I have no doubt at all that it will. But for now - and even if this was its only purpose it is enough - it feels as though it is part of getting Imogen, you, your family, and all of your friends, through these days, this time, this devastation.
Sending love. xx