Angus in Scotland and his wife have been taking a boat tour to Northern Norway, presumably to see the Northern Lights. November is one of the peak times to see them because of the long, dark nights, but apparently the weather gods have not been kind. Even so, yesterday’s post A gentle resolute kindness touched my heart. Among other things Angus wrote about a group of people from Sedona, Arizona, that he and his wife have had some meals with:
In the last 18 months all have been diagnosed with one or other form of the big ‘C’ and are adjusting to this new stage in their lives. They’ve formed a sort of self help collective in the belief a fear shared is a fear halved. They’re not wealthy but have decided to travel together while they can. The Northern Lights were the first item on their bucket list. They may not have seen the lights but they’ve stood on the deck in the dark in a Force 10 gale and laughed as the waves broke over the bow and soaked them to the skin. They talk in a completely unembarrassed way about their health and their fears. At dinner they order caviar and ask how they should eat it. They go to wine tastings. Sometimes they drink too much champagne in the afternoon and skip dinner. We learn about concierge doctors and the cost savings of driving to Tijuana for medication. Their health insurance costs have soared. They have a gentle resolute kindness to them.
A gentle, resolute kindness. If that isn’t something worth aiming for I don’t know what is.
November 19, 2025
It sounds nice that they have each other, but I am confused as to whether any of them are getting chemo or other treatments. Do they do that on the ship? Or are none of them on any kind of treatments? Having gone through treatments and been sick as a dog, I am confused as to how boat trips would be managed, I guess. More power to them! Love the idea!
I don’t know the details, but I’m sure they weren’t taking harsh chemo on the trip.
Sounds like they are living their life to the fullest, I had a friend who died years ago, and when he found he had stage 4 lung cancer, chose to live his life to the fullest and take no treatments at all. He and his wife took a van that they converted into a tiny home, just a regular van, and spent 8 months traveling from place to place seeing all the things they had always wanted to see. He was pain free for a year, and when he died in the hospital it was only 3 days of suffering and he died a happy man..
Good for them! I had a friend who took a trip like that with his wife and dog. The humans didn’t have cancer, but the dog did and they wanted his last time to be happy.
It’s sad that there is so much illness among them but nice that they have a large support group that helps them through.
Yes. 🙂
Angus has such a way with words. Very sweet.
Yes. 🙂
…the BIG “C” seems to be everywhere these days.
Yes. The chances go up as we get older.
The second to the last sentence …..
Yes!
I am keeping them all in my thoughts and prayers. I like the things they are doing. Keep going!!!
Yes!
Yes, amazing and strong people.
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All the best to them making the most of their lives
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I think this was one of the best things I’ve heard. I am sad for them, but I am thrilled for them. Wish we could all get that in some form or another.
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I’d love to learn more about this self-help ‘tribe.’ Not to make light of their situation, but this sounds like the basis of a great movie.
Yes. it would be. 🙂
That sounds wonderfully amazing for healing the mind while the body isn’t cooperating.
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Praying for them.
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What a lovely story Jean and well done to them all for maxing out the time left. Northern Lights. Yes.
XO
WWW
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