Sharon's Words

Written by Sharon to be read at her funeral service, delivered by her younger sister Janice Oxenham.

I have been trying to convince myself that this isn't a bad time to go, there are so many crazy things happening in the world. The earth is cooking, burning, flooding or freezing, with animals becoming extinct as their habitats disappear. Power in the hands of people who have more self ego than common sense or basic decency. War, and strife. Too much, too much.

Even though these things are true, I have managed to surround myself with people, places and things that I love, my beautiful home. I am so glad that we had the sense to build where we did - and also the sense to stay there.

A few of my thoughts and beliefs:

  1. Happiness is a fleeting thing. The key is knowing when you are, then savouring the moment.
  2. I have never looked forward to being old - the only good thing is the greater knowledge + understanding you have about the world and people.
  3. The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, it is imagination!
  4. Put one foot in front of the other + find humour on the way.
  5. The biggest waste of time is procrastination.
  6. Success follows self discipline.
  7. Most of the world's problems could be fixed if power is not given to people who have more ego than common sense or decency.
  8. Every capable person should do one community volunteer service.

The ‘cancer’ verdict was handed down on 13th Feb 2024.
Linnitus plastica.
Just 21 days after my 67th birthday.
I have suspected things weren't right in my tummy, but accepted the gallstones and gallbladder sludge diagnosis from doctors after several attacks that had occurred over the last year or so.

A likely cause of the cancer is a tummy bug called Heliobacter Pylori. I caught the Heliobacter Pylori bug in my early 20’s. Like all the bad infections it gets passed around with contaminated body fluids

The main symptom noticeable is indigestion. My father suffered from indigestion as well, so I just accepted it and took prescribed Losec antacid medication, as well as Quick Eze and the usual remedies. So all of you with frequent indigestion - go and have a test, it may prolong your life.

To my family and close friends.. I am sorry I didn’t tell you sooner - I wanted Kerry to have some time to ‘digest’ the situation. We also needed time for test results after scans & biopsies, so that I’d have some answers to the questions you would ask. I am grateful for the time we had been given to accept the verdict and work out a plan.

Already I am experiencing life differently - my artist eyes are finding so much beauty around me.

I am also grateful to so many people who have shared parts of their lives with me. It is due to you that I’ve had such a happy and meaningful life.

All the children who allowed me to do their dental work, and those who as adults greeted me with kindness in return.

To the dental therapists I worked with… “what a team” we all tried our best to get a difficult job done, we also tried our best to have a lot of fun - didn’t we Jan.

Achievements
No particular achievements come to mind except:
I tried to be the best granddaughter, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend that I could be.

I have attempted to do a few different things -

Then the artwork which has been a totally joyous journey.

I thank the Coromandel Art Group and Val Gray for sharing their expertise. Also the Coromandel Pastel Group for good company and sharing ideas. I particularly enjoyed working out new and different techniques and attempting anything that came to mind.

I also enjoyed playing croquet but never became any good at it. I enjoyed hitting the balls around and having a laugh more than winning.

There are still some good things:

To my nursing staff - Team Medication…

You all stepped straight in, putting your own lives on hold for me. Not a pleasant time, but I am so proud of you for having the strength to do your best. Don’t worry about the future, it's going to happen… so work while you can, and remember to be just a bit cheeky and laugh every day.

My Box creators Mike McCall, Bev Mayhead and Rob Fort - thank you for making it easy to ask you to do such a difficult job.

So now I’m off on a new adventure. I might be allocated a new body (actually, anything would be great) I think eventually my spirit will go on to bigger and better things. In the mean time think of me and I will be near.

Next time you see a rainbow look carefully - I might be sitting on it swinging my feet over the side.

Or when the sun's rays shine through the clouds and shafts of light hit the surface of the sea, look carefully, you might see… me.

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