This week, I’m going to write about one of my heroes.
Gaydon Willis.
About six years ago, I used to get therapeutic massages from Gaydon which were very good and during one session she shared with me that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
I suggested she write a column for the Eagle about her journey and after more than a little persuasion she agreed.
Her first column appeared about six years ago and my son Ian, who was the Eagle editor at the time, and I learned a very valuable lesson.
Gaydon’s column was in the paper and Gaydon was soon at the office.
At the end of her first column we explained who she was and said she was a cancer victim and would be sharing her journey with us.
In no uncertain terms Gaydon explained to Ian and I that she was not a cancer victim — she was a cancer survivor.
And she still is.
In the past six years Gaydon has shared that journey and sometimes it hasn’t been fun.
Sometimes it’s been sad, sometimes frustrating and sometimes no doubt irritating to her but yet she did it.
She has no idea how many people she’s helped along her journey.
She has no idea of the phone calls I get at this office thanking Gaydon for her honesty.
She has no idea how many people identify with her and get strength from her.
And this isn’t intended as an eulogy.
Gaydon is still with us.
Her journey continues but all too often we wait for funerals and memorial services to tell the world what a great person this is. I just think we should do it now.
Gaydon deserves to know what a positive impact she has had on other people.
She shared her life with cancer and then had the courage and honesty to share it with us.
And through it all she’s had the remarkable humility to be honest with her feelings.
She freely admits she has cancer. She freely admits it could well be terminal, but we will all suffer something terminal eventually.
She freely admits it could well shorten her life, but she simply won’t let it spoil her day.
And that’s why she’s my hero.
So the next time you see my hero Gaydon, give her a hug.
Not one of those hugs that politicians give — you know the arms are up, the mind is someplace else and the heart is on the expense account — but a hug that means something down deep inside where you live.
I don’t care it you know her. If you’ve read her you know her and it’s a simple as that.
I’m sure this is just an unfortunate oversight.
In the list of coming events on the town website for 2012 and up to May of this year, neither the WinterFest nor the SummerFest are listed.
For example in February 2013 — three items are listed as events on the town’s website.
One is minor ball registration, the other a job fair and the third a blood donor clinic.
No doubt tourists will flood the town wanting to give blood.
But why would both WinterFest and SummerFest be missed?
The common thread is that a group of volunteers called the Cochrane Area Events Society put on both SummerFest and WinterFest without town involvement.
Perhaps there’s a very good reason and maybe someone would share it with us.
