I wanted to share something that I have been thinking about all morning and excuse that it is rather random. When I was diagnosed initially with the brain mets, everytime I looked at a painting I have
I cant help but think that the dark splodges are my tumours and the rest are all the fun I had. Now maybe too much fun admittedly but I kind of like this idea.
Oh dear I think I may be going mad. But its good.
Hi Lesley, John McTaggart here, you might remember me from Modern Studies? I read about your blog in last week's Herald. Just want to thank you for what you're doing, reminding of what is important in life and what isn't. You are an inspiration. Do you mind if i promote your blog on social media? I'm sure there are plenty of people out there in the Modern Studies community and beyond who will be able to relate to the things you write on here. I think what you're doing is fantastic and I'm in awe at your bravery. John
ReplyDeleteHi John good to hear from you been out of the modern studies game a while now! Last time I saw you was during the writing of the new qualifications (I was diagnosed during this time). Thank you for your kind words. Absolutely, any exposure is great and may help more people so share away. Lesley.
DeleteHi Miss Graham, it's Natalie from your 'moddies' class about 5 years ago. You know, the one who watched too much Dallas? Do I still call you Miss Graham now that school is over? It still doesn't feel quite right to address you otherwise! I stumbled upon the Herald article from a few months ago about your blog and I've spent all night reading your journey- what an inspiration you are. I wish that I had found it sooner- two years ago I lost my dad after a very long, emotional, and almost surreal battle with terminal illness. Everything you talk about in your blog strikes a chord. I'm blown away by your honesty and bravery in your writing
ReplyDeleteI must mention that as soon as I read the article, I wasn't surprised at all to learn that your blog has been a far-reaching source of inspiration and hope for thousands of people. I know it will continue to be. All I could think was, 'of course this is something Miss Graham would do!' I can't explain it. As a teacher, you were always so sharp, so witty, so fun... Even 3 years later we all still talk about how much you cracked us up. I bumped into Andrew "Dempy" Dempster a while ago and we talked about your finest moments for about an hour! You knew how to put a cheeky student (that includes me...) in their place and your delivery was always brilliant. You were one of the only teachers who I would ever have wanted to have a coffee with once school was done (I say one of because how I forget Mr McDonald!) because you always had something interesting to talk about (and you were always up for a gossip in the IT rooms hehe). I wish we had had that coffee; would have had lots of politics to catch up on what with the referendum and the upcoming presidential elections (remember the days when I fancied Barack Obama? Cringe!) I'm still doing all that politics and history stuff at uni. Got to third year and have not dropped out (I told you I could do it!) Not sure what will come out of it, but I'm hoping to go into academia or at least teach. If I do become a teacher, I hope I can be as much of an inspiration to my students as you were. It was you who inspired me to not be embarrassed by my geeky enthusiasm towards all that 'political stuff' and actually take that interest further. It was also you who told me to get a life and stop watching so many cheesy 80s American dramas but after recently discovering L.A. Law I'm afraid that some things will just never change!
I'm aware that this is a very gushy post but I never got the chance to tell you before that you contributed so much influence in my 'big' decisions. You've clearly left a mark on so many lives in these past few years, and you truly did on mine.
Thank you for absolutely everything,
Natalie xxx