Claire a vivacious 32 year old roamed the world sorting out ‘awkward’ situations for a billionaire for over a decade. Confronted with aggressive breast cancer her imminent demise was her greatest challenge.
Resilience is our inner strength, our ability to deal with overwhelming even impossible challenges. It has a strong spiritual component supplemented by mental and emotional factors. Most don’t realise they have it until they are truly tested.
Claire had to dig deep and with the right support her sisu kicked in empowering her until the brain tumour took over. She died with dignity, love and real peace.
Carrot Ranch Challenge, May 2, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about sisu. It’s a Finnish concept of enduring strength, the ability to consistently overcome. Think long-term. Go where the prompt leads!
aroused 
Very touching Kate! I totally agree, resilliance is within all of us, but too often we don’t know it’s presence or strength until a truly difficult life situation puts us to the test to see what we’re “made of.”
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exactly Jenna, you would know about that 🙂
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Yes, very true…I’ve heard from many growing up how resilient I am and looking through all the up and downs I’ve faced in my life my strength has definitely grown. 😊❤️
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exactly each time you dig deeper and surprise yourself but I do believe we are never given more than we can cope with 🙂
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I absolutely agree 😊
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interesting word, sisu
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I’ve heard it before so glad to use it so that I remember it better 🙂
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What a shame she died…
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a big shame Si we’d become close over the eighteen months of treatment … she was a very special lady
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It’s just sad… No other words. Sorry…
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she so wanted to have children so she fought all the way ..
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That’s truly heart breaking…
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she wouldn’t have wanted that Si, she’d have preferred you were grateful to have outlived her and tried things she never got to do!
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Then that’s what I’ll be. 🙂
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I think we all have it in us to be resilient but give up too easily. What a motivating life and such an interesting word!
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yes a word I’ve wanted to play with for sometime so very glad to get it as a prompt 🙂
Never Give UP!
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A new word for me Kate, thank you for enlightening me. I am reading a book based on stoic philosophy, “The Obstacle is the way” and it is very empowering & insightful like your post!
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wow…so sad…so touching…never heard of that word!
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That story is staying with me Kate. Well written and powerful 🙂💕
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Dying on one’s own terms is 100% sisu. Reminds me of my MIL – she made it into her 90’s.
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some seem quite afraid to die but it will come to all of us one day …
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Wow!! A powerful enlightening read indeed!!
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indeed GH, our life seems a lot better for having known her or even reading about her life cut short …
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I know what it means to fight cancer. I’ve been fighting this disease for five years. I understand pain and suffering.
greetings
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I just wanted to share some hugs with you… (((HUGS)))
You will be in my thoughts and prayers and meditations as you continue to fight.
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sorry to hear that Ultra, praying that you win! I had a double mastectomy 6.5 years ago and have been fine since …
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“Sisu”, as strong as Finns. Thanks for introducing it to me.
Blessed are the ones who see the light of their own power.
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indeed for all the power is within ❤
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So sad. So powerful. Thank you for sharing “sisu”….and, more importantly, Claire with us.
I’m so sorry for her passing…and so young. 😦 😦 😦
A great write, Kate! Thank you!
(((HUGS)))
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we are blessed to have made it well past her age and tried so many things she didn’t get to do Carolyn 🙂
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Yes, we are!
So many people suffer. 😦 I heard about a 5 year old yesterday who has had major heart problems since he was 2 years old and has had a heart transplant, strokes, etc. 😦 😦 😦
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yes it just seems so wrong, I’ve worked with 18 months old with brain tumour and shunts … born with gizzards outside, so many suffer!
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Wow–this brought on several emotions. So sorry for the loss and so young. To go out with strength and dignity..love and peace…it’s the way to go.
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A powerful read, Kate and even I have heard of this word. What a brave woman fought till the end but finally gave up and the picture was so apt with your article.
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This just made me sad. Though I learned a new word. Sisu. She is an inspiration.
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She was a total delight, wish more knew her … but we are alive, we have precious time she didn’t so make the most of it!
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It seems unfair that someone who wants to live shouldn’t.
That’s a good way to look at it. Live for her sake (wrong words, but yeah)
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you got it, she wouldn’t want anyone not living to their fullest 🙂
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That digging deep isn’t something everyone faces, but when they do, as Claire did, the discovery can be buried sisu. Powerful prose.
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thanks so much Charli, appreciate your genuine feedback!
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[…] Claire’s Sisu by calmkate […]
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Oooh, this is very powerful, Kate.
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thanks Robbie, she was an incredibly kind and powerful woman!
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Your Claire, like my Clare, was too young to go. Such losses to the world.
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seems just wrong …
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