Leg 2, Day 67 – A Tribute

Lizanne Van Vuuren By

Day 67 – A Tribute

Yesterday Nat spoke about the ‘fears’ we considered before getting on Doris, as this allowed us to prepare as best we can for unfortunate circumstances. This list was accompanied by our ‘hopes’ which identified our goals and gave us a clear idea of why we are doing what we’re doing.

One of my biggest fears was receiving bad news about loved ones whilst out at sea, and unfortunately this happened earlier this week. My uncle; a devoted husband, an incredible father, a dear friend to many and one of the funniest people I knew, lost his battle with cancer. He put up an amazing fight and stayed positive throughout; testament to how he lived his life.

Last year he decided at the last minute to come and run the Two Oceans half marathon with my cousin and I. He made it across the finish line and got his medal with 30 seconds to spare…! No training, an aching body and a huge smile! His beautiful demeanour and lust for life has been passed onto his children, and as someone who was so involved in his local community his legacy and stories will live on.

As I received the news late at night the ocean was still, calm, lit up with a gorgeous large full moon and stars flickering. If I had wine onboard I would have used that, but instead with our spiced rum Nat and I gave a toast to a beautiful person.

It is strange receiving news like that when we’re so far removed from everything. In contrast to our distant existence out on the ocean, it very quickly brings you back to reality. All I really wanted to do was take a walk in the mountains. There’s no escaping on the boat…

So taking on my imaginary hike while on the oars, I pondered the dynamics and importance of family. We were born into families to be instantly connected to someone else. Families can be so complex, yet such a necessity in our lives. At times of need they can either pull together like an old fashioned knot; the bigger the load the tighter the knot, and even after the load is lifted the knot stays taught. Other times the rope can snap where is has weakened and been worn away over the years, the load too heavy to bear.

I have also once again been amazed at how a good team pulls together during tough times. We have had an array of different challenging circumstances on the boat so far, but for me nothing quite as bonding as this. Over the past two months we have become a family on the ocean and these girls have becomes my sisters. I could not have chosen three more incredible ladies to be on my boat.

I know that families can be the biggest stressing in ones life, but they can also be the biggest blessing. I know they are the people we take most for granted because they’re just ‘there’, but they’re also the ones we miss most when they’re gone.

Thank goodness we were also given the choice of friends to bring into our inner circles, as the saying goes “you can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends”. I regret that I am not there to offer my support, but love and prayer crosses oceans. I’ll continue to live my life with the motto “make the circle bigger”, but first ensuring a firm core with the people who have always been there, and alway will be; blood is thicker than water.

I know that the nature of this blog is personal, but if you can take anything from it then realise that life is fragile, and appreciate the amazing people around you.

Lizanne x

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15 Comments

  1. Abigail says:

    My Dear Lizzy-Anne,

    I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. My condolences to you and your family. Stay strong out there. We are all thinking of you!!
    Lotsa love , Abi

  2. Babs says:

    Wow Lizanne, what an amazing tribute to your Uncle, he sounded such a wonderful man that must have fought to the bitter end, hopefully he will be at peace now. So sorry you are having such a frustrating time out there, but the strength of all your characters and true grit, is nothing short of outstanding. Each day you are pulling back the n/ miles, let us hope very soon these will increase and Samoa will be in your sights. Our thoughts are with you all, especially Lizanne at this sad time for you. Stay strong girls and most of all safe. Watch out for the 16 th October as Trewirgie School are doing a fundraising day for sporting heroes, and chosen coxlesscrew and their charities to support this year. Xx

  3. ALC says:

    Hi Lizanne – Condolences from Bernard, Jared and myself. We are really sorry to hear of your sad loss, but glad to hear of the wonderful support you are getting from the other girls. My darling cousin Maureen died in Cape Town in April and I am still coming to terms with it all.
    I wish you well and enjoy the happy memories – they are the things that get one through.
    Much love from all of us.
    Anne xx

  4. Barbara says:

    Hi Lizzy,condolences on your loss. I lossed my mom and recently step mom both to cancer-it does make you reflect on how fast ones life goes by. Be in the moment and I’m glad you have great support with your new found sisters lol Barbs

  5. Simon TY says:

    Lizzy, you laid bare part of your personal life. Very open, very brave.

    One thing I look forward to is meeting you all. Hope there going to be a mega party when you get back. I feel I know you all well by now.

    Pity about the current last few days. Slowed the miles a bit.

    ENGLAND OUT OF THE RUGBY WORLD CUP. JUST BEATEN BY AUSTRALIA…….hot off the press

    XX

  6. Paul says:

    wow….here am I feeling the pain of an England loss when in reality it’s just game…life goes on… I raise my glass to you!

  7. james says:

    lots of love Liz – thinking if you! xx

  8. Jim Andrews says:

    So sorry to hear of your loss. So pleased to see your progress.
    I am a bit of pragmatist, when discussing life and death. We are here for a period of time no matter how long. As long as you make the most of your time, you did good! It is perfectly right and correct to be sad and morose when losing someone you love but it is just going through the motions of the inevitable.
    One day soon we will all be history. I have to add, that, what you are currently doing, guarantees that your history will endure! Please continue with confidence and stay safe. XX

  9. Jan R says:

    This was an incredibly moving post, Lizanne, and a fantastic tribute. I continue to be amazed about what you are achieving, making history and breaking world records. However, I start to realize more and more that this is no coincidence. Feasts like this can only be achieved by amazing people, who are able to dive deep – in the physical and in the emotional sense! I only know Nats personally (and have a great deal of respect for her – she has a truly inspiring life story), but through the blogs, which many of us read avidly every day, I have started to acknowledge that all of you have amazing personalities, each one in her own way! Kudos to you all, and we’ll continue to pray for patience and/or more favorable currents! Greetings from Dubai xxxx

  10. Helen Outen says:

    Hearty hugs to you.
    Dob’t know if you’ve heard but Sarah had had to leave Happy Socks and has been picked up by a cargo ship and is on her way to Canada……..weather forecast was too dangerous to stay……
    She us ok but shattered at losing her boat.
    Keep up the good work ladies….and row row row……

  11. I find this blog quite amazing Lizanne. Your inner strength and the strength you have from the girls will help you over this emotional roller coaster. Your uncle will be with you even closer now and help guide you though the next few weeks. He sounds like he would be immensely proud of his brave niece. Enjoy every second of this epic voyage – you will be back on land long enough. X

  12. JG says:

    Death is so hard for those left behind and my sympathies are with you Lizanne. As we grow older we develop a natural acceptance of the natural inevitability of death and I personally neither fear it nor look forward to it. When the time comes I’ll be grateful for a full life led, a mark left here and there, and a fantastic and successful family to carry the flag on. Untimely death,through accident, sickness or misfortune is another matter and I am always humbled when I hear of people who

  13. JG says:

    Death is so hard for those left behind and my sympathies are with you Lizanne. As we grow older we develop a natural acceptance of the inevitability of death and I personally neither fear it nor look forward to it. When the time comes I’ll be grateful for a full life led, a mark left here and there, and a fantastic and successful family to carry the flag on. Untimely death,through accident, sickness or misfortune is another matter and I am always humbled when I hear of people who have been given a time for early death and seeing how they deal with it . No hysteria or ranting and raging, just a dignified acceptance like the young man recently dying of cancer who raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity from his deathbed. Sad to learn of Sarah Outens abandonment of her epic last leg after all her massive achievements but there’s some pretty hefty weather brewing out there on it’s way to the UK and I think common sense prevailed. John Breeden’s blogposts give a pretty graphic account of the difficulties he faces which makes me realise exactly what the Crew are facing and serves only to increase my admiration and respect for your achievement. Keep safe and I hope you find the Westerly current very soon

  14. Dis so mooi, Lizanne. Baie dankie vir wat julle vir Van Wykies beteken – hulle het dit so nodig. Liefde xxx

  15. […] hardest part of all came when Lizanne’s uncle passed away back home. The lack of privacy made this especially difficult, “Receiving news like that at that […]

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