It is with sadness that today I have heard that another good friend, Brian
lost his battle against cancer - - malignant melanoma.



Brian was a man with huge character, incredibly sharp business acumen - and
of great and sometimes mischievous humour. Our loss is only exceeded by that
of his family.



It is at these moments that I become truly aware of just how grateful I
should be for continued life. That awareness often becomes lost under the
daily pressures, aspirations, challenges, dramas, etc.



Each life is a gift - always finite - and it only occurs the once - and then
it is gone. A priceless gift.



Within these groups I have come into contact with many fighting cancer. All
of us live within a fear/dread and a dark foreboding - but from within that
can come new life, HOPE, and new priceless moments.



It is nearly five years now since the expert advice that I had six months to
live, 50% quality time, and no hope. Yet five years on again I await a scan
- nervous of its findings and in the knowledge that all scans are only
likely to pick up large and imminent threats, there can be others lurking.



In hindsight, if instead of the prognosis of death - there is a wisdom that
said - 'you have 90 days - go have the time of your life - have sparkles,
laughter, run naked on the sand, enjoy the most out of life, touch the
hearts of others and leave some of the most precious footsteps behind' ...



And then if you, like me, have the luck to find and follow the Penny Brohn
approach, the Icon (Canceractive) wisdom and the spirituality of, and
strength from, 'The Journey' - all complementary to evolving best medical
practice - then just maybe there will be another gifted day - and another



And as long as each day is used wisely - bringing joy and using life to its
full - at the very end - there will just be a few tears and many sparkles
left behind in those footsteps



Tonight I remember the sparkles of two good friends who recently have died
too early - Richard Barton and Brian Abbott - but their footsteps bring
memories and smiles



Love and Healing



Ian



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