Posted on December 30, 2014
As 2014 comes to an end, I am quietly reflecting on the many inspirational Mesothelioma Warriors who live courageously.
Traditionally, courage is defined as the ability to do something that frightens one and to possess strength in the face of pain or grief. Steve and Linda Wride truly embody courage in every sense of the word.
When Linda captured and shared Steve’s black and white photo – something struck me. It wasn’t his sparse hair and visible check bones that I saw, but rather his courage, gentleness, and peacefulness.
Steve was diagnosed with mesothelioma five and a half years ago, a diagnosis that not only turned his life upside down but also that of his family. Together, Linda and Steve have braved the harsh realities of cancer, undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and embraced promising clinical trials. But most importantly, they have lived their life by “Doing Something Positive” with every step of their mesothelioma journey.
Living vicariously through Linda’s blogs, photos, and Facebook posts, they have taken us on many adventures from soaring in hot air balloons and helicopters, to travel adventures in Brussels, Morocco, and France to name just a few stops on their journey. The love they share radiates through their beautiful photographs and serves as an inspiration to the global Mesothelioma Warrior Community.
Linda Steve Wride Rome 2012
I’m not alone; many of us have been deeply touched and moved by the Wride’s courage. Steve and Linda hold hope closer now, as they focus more intently on life, family, each moment they share, and memories they make.
Steve, miles may stand in our way of me giving you a kiss on your check, by I will again rely on Linda to deliver my love, respect, and thanks. Thank you for being a wonderful teacher about courage, resilience, and valor to our whole mesothelioma community and me.
You can follow Steve and Linda through her blog titled, “Doing Something Positive.”
As Mary Anne Radmacher says, “ Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”
With love,
Linda