In early 1999 I somehow came to a recognition of Being in my life. Nature dealt me a blow later that year when I was told I had cancer. Somehow I fell into this knowledge with my arms open. After I finished chemotherapy I went to New York to be with my Mother and I spent the last two weeks of her life with her before she died. Through these times, the daily ramifications of those events solidified that initial recognition. Written on these pages is the living of my life in this process - small portions, taken from the books I filled with poetry. What each of us goes through in our pain and suffering, grappling with issues, our continually changing and ageing bodies - grief, death, rage, love, happiness . . . To me, this is universal, shared. This is our humanity, whatever trials we experience, we must ultimately resolve. This is Life Itself. Meeting cancer Living on the edge Measuring time in days Almost the end, a new beginning A mountain of existence in three years