{"id":386,"date":"2018-04-10T13:00:44","date_gmt":"2018-04-10T13:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/cancerservicesresearch\/?p=386"},"modified":"2018-04-10T13:05:34","modified_gmt":"2018-04-10T13:05:34","slug":"love-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/cancerservicesresearch\/love-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Love Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"

My Gift To You<\/h4>\n

A poem about carers and the (often unrecognised) importance of their role in cancer survivorship. The poem is called My Gift to You– because\u00a0friends who care and carers\u00a0are apart of the gift we have been given the greatest gift of all life.<\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

This timeless peaceful place<\/p>\n

Washed over me<\/p>\n

My mind set free<\/p>\n

To say the words that means so much to me<\/p>\n

Feelings kept close to my heart<\/p>\n

About the present and the past<\/p>\n

The doubts and fears I have gone through<\/p>\n

That brought me to this Majestic place<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You think of me when I’m not there<\/p>\n

You wonder how I am<\/p>\n

You care if I’m all right and doing well<\/p>\n

Your gentle thoughts reached out to me<\/p>\n

At a time in my life when chaos showed its hand<\/p>\n

You helped to set me free<\/p>\n

To talk about the things<\/p>\n

That means so much to me<\/p>\n

A value that seemed lost<\/p>\n

Is once again restored<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I really am so proud of you<\/p>\n

The things you say and do<\/p>\n

The times you’ve helped me<\/p>\n

Battle through<\/p>\n

You took the time to listen<\/p>\n

To understand<\/p>\n

You reached out a hand<\/p>\n

To stop me falling<\/p>\n

If I am down you<\/p>\n

Help me up<\/p>\n

And brush me down<\/p>\n

With words and deeds<\/p>\n

That helped me see<\/p>\n

How much you mean<\/p>\n

To me<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You never judged me<\/p>\n

And always understood<\/p>\n

You make me smile<\/p>\n

Allowed me to cry<\/p>\n

The trust and faith I have in you<\/p>\n

Will never die<\/p>\n

The love and warmth from you<\/p>\n

Who have been through so much<\/p>\n

Means more because I know<\/p>\n

It\u2019s coming from a heart<\/p>\n

That understands of our journey<\/p>\n

Together and how much<\/p>\n

We achieved<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We have come a long way<\/p>\n

Took on the big C<\/p>\n

You are magnificent<\/p>\n

That will never change<\/p>\n

Family and friends forever<\/p>\n

How ever far apart<\/p>\n

You will always have<\/p>\n

A place in our hearts<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

When you are told you have cancer you are reminded of your own mortality:– the first question you ask yourself is am I going to die: you can see that same question being asked on the faces of your family and friends– and so you take on this fight this battle you never wanted because you have no choice:<\/p>\n

that’s what it is a battle for survival the road ahead is littered with pain doubts and sometimes grief: the uncertainty of the outcome invades your mind sometimes peace of mind is hard to find– amongst the drugs, chemotherapy and the surgery the things you have to do to win a fight against an enemy you never see.<\/p>\n

I think we have all had those quiet times when it’s just you and your thoughts concerned about the outcome;<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You soon realise you are not alone Mums dads\u00a0 brothers sisters husbands wife\u2019s\u00a0 sons daughters family and friends are there ready to fight with you willing you on: some times it may not be a big army one or two people– but its still an army built on love and that\u2019s what counts:<\/p>\n

This is a battle where no one gets any medals you are all heroes: we get a medal every time a mum or dad gives us a hug or a knowing look or daughter or son holds our hand that bit tighter: and\u00a0 when our grandchildren call out \u00a0the names the ones we love to hear Nan and Gramps or a friend text\u2019s you at two in the morning and wakes you up to say I hope you are getting plenty of rest.<\/p>\n

But always from the heart<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Always remember it was you who help us fight the battle. We also remember those who have lost loved-ones: you should be so proud of them: their courage and your love for them is something that will burn bright forever in your hearts: they will always be with you.<\/p>\n

8 months before I was told I had cancer I sat next to a hospital bed holding my wife\u2019s hand for 2 days willing her to live she died we had been married 32 years one day Lynette was there 2 days later she was gone: she has been with me every step of the way: I miss her everyday and I love her to bits.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For over a thousand years people have been coming to this place, because of their faith, to gain strength or to ask for help and support in their time of need. My poem is a tribute to you; my way of saying thank you to family and friends for your faith in us, for your help support and love at the darkest of times: my poem is called My Gift to You– because you are apart of the gift we have been given the greatest gift of all life.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thank you. For being there Ailsa Shirley Katherine<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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