Hi everyone. This seems to be a convenient way for me to post reflections when I feel like it, rather than waiting to attach them to an email update. I'll give the address to family and friends, and if you want to share it with others, feel free to do so.

 

I was going to give this blog some fancy poetic title, but decided to keep it simple - and slightly weird! Dexa (Dexamethasone) is the steroid that's keeping me going, and currently it's giving me a plateau of time and energy, for which I am intensely grateful. As well as using this time to see people and do a fair bit of thinking about the meaning of life (with and without the help of Monty Python), I'm engaging in some reflective writing about this whole process. Some of it is more theological and philosophical; some of it is deeply personal. Come on in and enjoy the view from the plateau.

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If you've just joined in, here's all you need to know. My name is Murray Bean. I'm 63, I live in Auckland, New Zealand, and I have a terminal illness called liposarcoma. I've been married to Linda for 37 years and we've brought up three kids. I've lived in New Zealand, Australia, India, France and England, working as a pastor, chaplain and teacher. I know a whole lot less than I used to, and these days I'd call myself a believer in mystery. I like doing cryptic crosswords, but one of my favourite things is sitting round a table with friends, enjoying good food and wine, and talking about deep stuff and total nonsense. What matters most to me is people, specially my family.

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