Fusuns Story

01-02-2008

I suddenly realized the metaphor! My first time on the Orchid walk and what a revelation!

The whole day, against all the odds, the elements, the wind, the cold, the rain, hundreds of people ploughed their way up the mountain from Kozan Köy in the beautiful, undying mountains of Northern Cyprus.

Up and up, sometimes easy, other times, a helpless struggle, some on the verge of giving up, people of all ages pushed to their physical and emotional limits. The fundamental thing was perseverance, a sense of belonging and contributing to a cause.

The fight against cancer.

Finally, at the end of a very long, emotionally draining and exhausting day, it became so clear, so transparent.
This walk was just like the long, painful struggle endured by many victims and their families almost like a test, pushing the human soul to the deepest fathoms of unbearable physical, emotional and psychological pain.

But then, a period of relief, giving hope, strength and the courage to persevere.

People continued to walk because each person carried a story in their hearts. Perhaps they too have fallen victim or have lost loved ones to this merciless and heartless disease.

At the end, each balloon released into the sky carried with it a name, a lost soul and a message of hope, signifying a sense of relief, marking the end of the pain one way or another.

Today was a privilege and an honour.

I walked for those I have lost, the heroes and those who suffer still.

Füsun (February2008)


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