T’s writing

Terry’s writing happened on and off for the 28 years I knew him. He did some writing when he was at university where he took Theatre and Film studies. He invented stories for various children, eventually writing for teens and, more recently, for all of us.

Five years ago, he started radiation therapy. In order to cope with treatments, he would take his mind to another place and focus on the development of a story. It became known as Ghani’s Gift. He completed over 100,000 words and 23 chapters, leaving notes for the final chapter, which I am currently working on completing for him. David and Marg both read great chunks and assisted with editing. I took some long leave in June last year to go with him to Tyalgum, near Murwillumbah, to do some research on the setting.

Speaking and writing were becoming increasingly difficult in the final months. We developed “PUNKYWAYSHONE” - communication workarounds, not just substituting for punctuation, but also for speaking at all when words were too difficult to find.

In his final hours, I read about nine chapters of Ghani’s Gift back to him. As our wonderful daughter-nurses, Heidi and Taryn, and kids, Janai and Emryn, listened, we heard different instructions and messages in the text that he had left for us. He gave us guidance with how to live and some of the things we need to think about if we want to influence our world positively.

Excerpt...“Christmas morning was warm and humid due to some light overnight rain. …About 50 people had turned up to hear Reverend Bailey deliver a heartfelt sermon. He said that a simple carpenter’s son, born nearly 2000 years ago, had brought a message of faith, hope and love that was as relevant today as it was then. 
“The trip home began, as usual without conversation, then David spoke. “I told Rev. Bailey that I didn't think Jesus was a simple man at all. I believe he was a complicated man with a simple message. He certainly stirred things up for the Jews and the Romans. I invited him to come to dinner sometime soon as he's on his own now that his daughter has moved to Sydney”.  (Ghani’s Gift)

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That’s how he saw Jesus – a complicated man with a simple message that required him to live a life acting in faith.