The Circle of Life by Sarah Taylor (16 yrs)
Sarah (my daughter) wrote this piece recently for school, I thought it was very moving and special. It is a fictional story but Sarah has drawn from her own feelings and life situation… she has had a tough year with getting through Glandular Fever only to find she has post-viral fatigue and gone from being very active to very exhausted, she has had to give up dancing and sport for the time being and it’s been very hard on her….
I hope you enjoy reading the story she’s written, I am very very proud of her
I often find myself gazing out my window, oblivious to my surroundings, watching the crystal clear water roll up the sand, it’s what I do to pass time I guess. There’s nothing else to keep me occupied around this place and I just don’t have the energy to enjoy my life the way I used to.
Things weren’t always like this, I was lively and happy and fun. I always had the energy to do anything in the world, that was, until I found out. I was a surfer, with long blonde hair, spending most of my time at the beach even when it was raining, thriving on the salty water, the blue sky and the sand between my toes, that was, until I found out.
Since then, my life has been shaken up and turned upside down. It seems I have no place left world, I’m embarrassed by myself and there is no way I can face my everyday life as though nothing has happened. If you could see what I have become, you would understand.
I can’t believe I am thinking this, I could never have thought such things in my wildest dreams, that was, until I found out.
I feel safest by the window where no one can see me, I shield my face behind the white drapes, hoping I won’t be seen. I would do absolutely anything to rewind time and not have a care in the world, but for now I can only dream of such a thing.
My name is Oliva, I’m a 17 year old and have had leukaemia since 2007. I left school last year to focus on my battle with cancer, so that one day I could accomplish my dreams of becoming a professional surfer and tour the world.
My Dad is responsible for pursuing my love for the ocean, I miss him. Whenever I was feeling down he would say, “Liv, honey, yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not come, we only have today, so let’s go have fun,” and that would be the end of it. He would hear no more from me until we had gone for a surf, cleared my head and had a chance to think about how much it matters. He’s in a better place now, my Dad, and I know he will always be with me.
My Mum has never quite understood my passion for surfing, she never really understood Dad’s passion either, but she has always been there for me, and she always will be. She is such a beautiful person, my Mum, but she’s a worrier, she worries about me all the time, too much sometimes, and ever since we found out about my condition she has never been the same. Things were much the same when Dad died. I think she feels she’s lost so much already, how could she now lose the last thing she has left in this world. I try and stay positive, but it can be overwhelming sometimes.
This afternoon, Mum has decided to get me out of the house for a while, I don’t want to go, but it will make her happy if I do. As we walk out the door and I am hit with a cool sea breeze, I stop for a moment, take a deep breath and begin to ride the wind as we walk along the soft grainy sand towards the lighthouse at the top of Correl Hill. The lighthouse is my most favourite place in the world, as we reach the top I turn to Mum and say to her, “Mum, yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not come, we only have today, so let’s go and have some fun.”
I have never had so much fun with Mum before in my life, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. She is a completely different person when she opens up. She told me how hard things have been lately and that she is sorry for not spending more time with me. She hopes we can spend more time with each other more often, but I think we have left it too late. My next round of chemo starts tomorrow, and I’m told I’m only going to feel worse, so I’m glad I got the chance to spend a little time with Mum today.
Yet again, I find myself sitting by the window watching the sun beaming down on the surface of the water, glistening blue with the waves breaking softly on the shore, when I notice a little girl with long blonde hair learning to surf with her dad….....
Matt Mawson
wonderful piece of writing, Sarah … no wonder your Mum is proud of you
Christine Jones
beautiful words Sarah. It shows such maturity.
I finished reading with tears in my eyes.
iAN Derrick
Two writers in the one house..Wow, Ben looks like you have some competition mate…only you are a little bit mental like me…No room for sadness or unhappies…Just us spaced out nuts from Disc World..But do please sad a big mad “Congrats” to Sarah as you whiz on by…..
pinkyjain
Wow, so moving, heartfelt. Strong and powerful writing Sarah
webbie
AW Sarah…you got such a big heart…And away with words…You make a awsome writer…Your mom has all the reason to be proud of you hun…God bless you…huggggggggggz you both.
Sorina Williams
beautiful writing!!! :) Well done Sarah!
barnsis
Sarah I love your writing, it is phrased so well and flow so well. I cry for you and understand, my young cousin has gone through the same thing. I will never forget the night in St. Jude’s when his doctor came to his room and asked if he could do anything for him. Jamie said “Yes it is my birthday, I would love to have a lobster to eat”. The doctor looked puzzled, it was 11:30 at night, but said “OK” An hour later the doctor walked in to Jamie’s room and sat a plate with lobster and melted butter on his bed tray. He had sent a nurse to a local 7-11 store where they had frozen lobsters went to the kitchen himself and cooked the lobster then brought it to Jamie. I was amazed as I sat with Jamie and observed all this. Jamie survived and grew to be a fine man who always celebrated his birthday with lobster. Always look to the future, you have a future and one day I will see you on the TV in a surf contest. And oh yes I think baldheaded women are very sexy. You have people all over the world praying for you now, can I be president of you fan club. Keep writing you have a talent.
gillsart
Very dramatic ..I am glad that in Sarah’s REAL life she has much more to be grateful for ..Well written!!
Jakki O
Wonderfully written :)
Keith Richardson
Sarah, you have a beautiful and natural story-telling talent, just like some of the other wonderful writers here on RedBubble. I love the way you seem to be aware of the totality of your story from the start, then let it evolve and ‘come-out’ gradually, like the unfolding of a perfect flower. Thank you for sharing with us.* I can see why Mum is so proud of you.* I am too.
Keith (grandfather of many, but still young-in-heart).
Virginia McGowan
oh Sarah fabulous. Oh I do hope you recover .. I cry everytime I hear of more people especially young ,.suffering from PVI , GF can be devestatingly unknowledged. I hear and am involved so much …please take it slowly.
[will now try to stop crying.]
udonchow
That’s so beautifully written and engages the senses of the reader. Although she writes,she paints images in our minds, I love this story :D
frozenfa
it’s beautiful, Sarah… i’ve been so worried about the fever you’ve had, and the fatigue it later caused you.. been wondering how have you been coping and if you’ve found ways to cope with the change it lifestyle.. i think this is a beautiful beautiful piece.. bittersweet will be a better word.. i can feel you in this story.. the agony of having to be tied down by exhaustion.. the longing as you look out the window..
i think you’re a great writer, Sarah.. better than i can ever be.. maybe you can write more often? when you’re feeling down and tired.. stuck at home.. maybe you can try writing instead? it is never healthy to keep feelings bottled. i think writing stories is a lovely way to share your feelings. and you will see how much you’re loved around here~ your mum’s proud of you. i’m proud of you.. look at how many people here are proud of you!! =D
Hope you’ll get well soon, Sarah!! will be thinking and wishing for you always!
PS: i hope you score well for this piece. very well written. lotsa maturity and understanding. i’d send Tim after your teacher if she don’t score you well! XD
frozenfa
To Karin: Help me hug Sarah, can? Please? n_n”
how about letting Sarah have her own account here too? X)
i think this is really very well written, Karin!! i can see why you’re so proud of her. i’ve always envy Sarah for how she seems to be soo full of energy and soo active.. now i envy her for her wonderful writing skills… dang~ Go Sarah, Go!!! =D
CateTownsend
Wonderful wonderful writing Sarah. Talent sure runs rife in your family omg I can’t get over it. It was so wonderful all the way through love the picture you create with Olivia by the window wow. All the imagery is wonderful “As we walk out the door and I am hit with a cool sea breeze, I stop for a moment, take a deep breath and begin to ride the wind as we walk along the soft grainy sand towards the lighthouse at the top of Correl Hill.”
Its all so amaizing Sarah, you had me in tears at the end as she is watching the blonde little girl with her dad. It feels so real even though I know it isn’t.
Francesca Rizzo
beautiful words sarah, no wonder your mum is proud of you.
Janis Zroback
Wonderful writing Sarah…maybe this is another way that you have been shown..
Cvail73
Wow, she’s seriously good!! :O
Karin Taylor
Thank you very much to everyone for all your positive and supportive comments on my story, im glad you all enjoyed it :)
I’m hoping to set up my own redbubble account sometime in the near future, so i look forward to sharing more of my writing and art with you all.
Thanks again for spending a little of your time to read my story.
From SARAH :D
Jeannette Sheehy
fantastic Sarah – you write so well and bring the feelings out excellently!! I hope that you recover from your post viral fatigue and can get back to being active. Love the way you write – flows beautifully!! :)
Karin Taylor
replied
thank you very much for taking time to read my story – i really appreciate your encouragement – i’m staying home from school today – but gradually improving – 2 steps forward, 1 step back.
Thanks again, from Sarah
Luc85
I am absolutly speechless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Once I started I just couldn’t stop …..”speed reading”...hehehe LOVED IT !!!!
Sarah you are very talented….your writing is amazing !!!!
...had me on the edge of the seat the whole time !!! I felt like I was right there watching the waves with you …. had chills down my back reading your wonderful work…. A good read will do that to you :o)
Sooo inspirational and full of emotions …..Outstanding Work !!!! Love it :o)
Love your quote “….. yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not come, we only have today, so let’s go have fun” !! That’s now my Favorite quote!! :o) Thank you for sharing this Karin
You have a whole family full of wonderful talent :o) xoxox
Karin Taylor
replied
AW, thank you Lucia ! i’ve just seen this, Sarah is out visiting friends at the moment, but i’ll show her your lovely comment on her return, i’m sure she’ll be thrilled to hear from you :) x
rain-dogs
What a wonderful talent this is so well written it shows a real maturity and compassion and for me it touches so many moments in my own life….i can see why your proud of sarah and hopefully she has fully recovered her energy and zest for life…......there is another 2 parallels here too…...my brother had glandular fever as a child and it took nearly a year for him to fully recover and my sisters had a daughter sara…....
Karin Taylor
replied
Hi rain-dogs :) I showed your comment to Sarah first thing this morning before she left for school, she could really use encouragement right now, facing her Year 11 exams, and today it’s Japanese, very anxious…so much going on in her life right now… her energy began to return about 3 months ago, but she is still not 100%....anxiety has filtered in, where there was none before…and this is a new thing we’ve had to help her tackle….it is a battle for her….and she’s a very quiet person who rarely gives you an insight into her heart and thought processes, so for her and for us, this is quite an amazing story….she rarely writes or expresses her feelings…. I just wanted to say thank you, on her behalf, for this special encouragement….and again, more parallels just leave me wondering, how can this be….i have never met anyone with whom i share so much in the way of similar experiences….and for me, it is very heartening :)