A Life Less Lost: Chapter 75
...Someone once explained to me that memoir is a story from a life and autobiography the story of a life. It's taken four years of draft after draft to write this memoir of James' illness and the profound impact it had on our lives. But this is more than that. I long to show the relevance of faith, the difference it can make in crisis, in the everyday and in times of great joy...
Kimm Walker brings her wonderful and inspirational story to a happy conclusion.
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Postscript - August 2008
Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15-16
Someone once explained to me that memoir is a story from a life and autobiography the story of a life. It's taken four years of draft after draft to write this memoir of James' illness and the profound impact it had on our lives. But this is more than that. I long to show the relevance of faith, the difference it can make in crisis, in the everyday and in times of great joy.
And it's been twelve years since we faced James' diagnosis of cancer. He's home again briefly, doing locum work before he starts his next contract. His girlfriend, Wanyi, a doctor like James, has been refused an extension to her visa after seven years in this country and is going back home to Singapore. James is going with her. Selfishly, I hope it won't be a permanent move.
David and Anna, his Finnish girlfriend, have settled in Lincoln. He's making the films he loves and is very happy. I ask him what it is with my boys and their foreign girls.
'We're just following in Dad's footsteps,' he replies, with a wicked grin.
Mum passed away after two years in the nursing home. We filled the church with photos and memories and celebrated her life. Kenneth, now registered blind and in his eighties, recently faced surgery for cancer. The doctors wouldn't normally do this operation on a man of his age but when he told them he'd done a seven-mile walk with us over New Year, they took a chance. He's bounced back quickly, taken up bowling again, is still making new friends and greeting each day with a smile.
Howard's company was sold a year ago and he's learning to embrace retirement. It's tempting to join him but there are stories in me bursting to be told. I've had so much to learn about the craft of writing and I've loved eveiy minute of it. Even in the rejections, I've heard whispers of how to improve.
When my writing teacher returned my first draft with positive comments and areas to work on, I was emptied. In my brain, I knew there would be much more work to do but it felt like I'd reached the summit of a great mountain only to find hundreds more behind that I still had to climb.
I almost gave up. From nowhere a woman I hadn't spoken to in years, phoned and invited me to speak to a church group about my work. It was all I needed to get started again. And every time I've faltered since then, God has sent something - a small success, the right word, an invitation to speak - to keep me going. I look forward to seeing what He has in store for me next.
