Sir, – So many thanks to Simon Fitzmaurice for his profound and beautiful reflection on life with motor neurone disease and how it affects all those around him (Life Culture, December 5th).
Seven year ago I received treatment for cancer; five years ago our grandson died of cancer aged 16. At those times I remember being haunted by feelings of uncertainty and grief, while at the same time being acutely and vividly aware of the fullness of life all around me and within me. Time passed and these insights faded or were pushed to the back of my mind if they surfaced.
Simon’s article helped me re-connect with “the mystery, the strangeness of life on earth” and to understand that “our lives happen in-between the deeds and ideas that define us”. Perhaps most of all to accept that death is on all our shoulders, but paradoxically can also help us be truly alive in the moment. As he is. As he is.
With warmest best wishes to Simon and his lovely family. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – I have just read the piece by Simon Fitzmaurice (Life & Culture, December 5th) about living with motor neurone disease. This was the best account of anything which I have ever read. That’s it. Thank you. – Yours, etc,