The big C

Last night we sat down to watch a BBC TV programme called “Alex, a life fast forward”.

Alex was 17 when he was diagnosed with bone cancer. By the time we meet him he’s 20, the disease has advanced and he is dying. But you wouldn’t know it. Since being diagnosed he has packed every day with life and adventure and the kid has a permanent grin on his face. He reckons there is no chance of any relationship, given his limited lifespan; but then he meets Ali, they fall in love and they get engaged. A plan to marry in May of this year is brought forward to February due to his declining health; and he dies six days after the wedding.

Extremely sad (she who must be obeyed was weeping), but at the same time uplifting. If Alex could live his last few months with such a positive attitude, then the rest of us should stop complaining and get on with it. Worth a watch on iPlayer if it is still available.

And then this morning, Steve Jobs died. One of his quotes seemed appropriate for Alex’s life.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart”.

R.I.P. Alex and Steve

The Big C; please fuck off.

Comments 🔗

2011-10-13 | nonghoidave says

Never met the guy personally….his family lived a couple blocks over from mine…went to same high school….used to come home from “kegger” parties in the hills above Palo Alto way back when, 2-3:00 am…and when almost home, there would be that slim little fellow in a trench coat, long black hair, in the phone booth at the Shell station on the corner of Newcastle and Grant Rd, a blackbox wired to the phone…making long distance calls to CIA HQ, the Whitehouse, etc,(got busted for it too)…dated his sister a few times, had his mother tell me he had “gone off with that woman to Oregon, he’s smoking pot, and she is pregnant, he is going to ruin his life….later he named a computer that baby…“Lisa”….

He did “okay.” Scary when someone born the year you were goes way too early….with so much still to live for…

Like you say, R.I.P. Steve.

I recall he once left Apple…and it almost went belly up…..he came back…and turned it all around….wonder what will happen now?