Sickness and Health
Robert Pope, Red Rose on Stem
Sickness, I believe, carries with it thoughts of possibilities being closed off, of senses being shut down, of feelings of reluctance in engaging with the world. Health, in contrast, involves an expansion of possibilities, and an opening-up cycle that might be likened to a blossom unfolding in the warmth of the sun.
– Robert Pope
Facing Death
Robert Pope, White Rose
Living in the shadow of cancer makes every day action an affirmation of life. I see the importance of accepting death in a non-fearful way and the importance of finding joy in life. For the present I continue to live in a complex world with an uncertain future, the same as everyone else.
– Robert Pope
Gratitude
Robert Pope, Rose Flower
There were certain points in my illness when I was in a lot of pain and I can remember thinking at times that if only I could live without pain that would be wonderful. But then, if you just start to look at all the things in life there are to enjoy, just to be able to breathe air or to enjoy food or to enjoy the company of friends or the people that you love, the possibilities just multiply. There is so much richness in the world to enjoy. A feeling of rebirth, a sense of the almost overabundance of good things, is the feeling that comes to me.
– Robert Pope
