Boyle McCauley News

Since 1979 • April-May 2024 • Circulation 5000

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One Last Week to Live - One Last Wish

An old friend from the North in town for a medical,
with symptoms of severe headaches, had many tests.
A dire diagnosis from doctors, cancer head to toe, no hope.
Given just a week or so to live, he was alone in Edmonton.
A vague Facebook message, a missed coffee with an old friend,
then a phone call from far away the next morning.
He said he wanted to share his dire news, and he did.
He said he had called to say goodbye. I was shocked.
“Everything in my life seems now aligned,” he said.
He was upbeat, said he was ready, and that suddenly
everything now became clear. One week to live, lots to do.
His artwork contracts were finished & delivered,
his tools and materials were sold to younger artists.
Legal cases were settled, & the mortgage paid off,
so his wife could survive without him. He said
his children and grandchildren would be okay.
One last week – clearly he had to tidy up loose ends.
A last visit with a brother & family with cancer too.
Then one last wish—to have coffee in Paris.
All his life he had been too busy to have coffee in Paris.
So he and his wife plan one last trip if he is able.
But doctors said he cannot fly, so Paris is not possible,
maybe a cruise, he continues to make and sell things,
to pay for one last wonderful trip.
His last message to me was, “Next time we dine.”
Stunned by his news, I wandered around thinking
“What would I do with one last week? One last wish?”
My friend reminded me of what is important in life. For me
it is NOT things, NOT money, NOT the clutter of renovation.
For me it is Loving family, sharing with friends, creating art & music,
and caring for others. My old friend’s “last week challenge”
reminded me that our time on this earth is a gif

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