Weekly Round-Up
Welcome, dear readers, to this week’s gathering of voices.
This week, it truly felt as though the world was united in grief at the death of the one-of-a-kind Dolly Parton. Yvonne pays a beautiful tribute to a remarkable woman, weaving together music, memory, family, and the lasting impact of a life lived with generosity, humour, creativity, and unmistakable sparkle. That sense of what we carry with us — and what we choose to do with the time we have — runs through several of this week’s pieces.
Abigail writes about the ordinary second chances that come with simply waking to another day while living with terminal cancer. Rejecting the idea that serious illness somehow produces permanent wisdom or gratitude, she speaks honestly about fear, exhaustion, mistakes, parenting, apology, forgiveness, and the work of beginning again.
Gabby turns to another difficult transition: the period after cancer treatment ends, when the relief expected by others can coexist with exhaustion, fear, grief, and a profound sense of feeling lost. Her piece is a reminder that finishing treatment does not mean recovery is complete, and that finding one’s way forward can take time.
Barbara highlights an innovative mobile clinic designed to bring follow-up care directly to underserved breast cancer survivors in rural areas of northern Texas.
Connie recounts reaching Santiago and fulfilling a long-held dream, bringing her Camino pilgrimage to its much-anticipated destination. After all the miles, challenges, encounters, and lessons along the way, there is something deeply moving about arriving at a place that once existed only in imagination.
As September approaches, Dee marks the beginning of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month by returning to the advocacy work that has shaped so much of her life. She reminds readers that there is still no screening test for ovarian cancer, highlights symptoms that should not be ignored, and urges women to advocate for themselves when something does not feel right.
And finally, Beth writes about letting go of what no longer supports her wellbeing, from unreliable healthcare relationships to a disappointing art class. Rather than seeing these choices as giving up, she frames them as acts of self-care: recognising when something is taking more than it gives and making room instead for what genuinely nourishes us.
Until next week,
May the days ahead bring the wisdom to hold close what matters, the courage to let go of what no longer serves us, and an openness to the second chances, new beginnings, and unexpected moments of grace that each day can bring.
Much love always,
Marie xxx
