Firstly, I’d like to thank you so much for all your kind words and encouragement, after my first episode went live.
As some of you know, I work as a TV presenter here in Australia, but podcasting is a very different medium, in a way more raw and vulnerable. But I took a lot of deep breaths, thought of Brene Brown and Elizabeth Gilbert and then, onward!
And so, I really appreciate your support.
Now, to this month’s episode.
During the past two years, there are three questions I get asked again and again. Last month, I answered the biggest: “How did you find out you had cancer?” (you can find the answer here). In today’s episode, I answer #2: “Why the red shoes? What’s the meaning?”
To do this, I had to bring in the big guns. ie. my Mum.
You see, for Mum and I, red shoes have become a symbol woven through both our lives, punctuating the darkest of moments with a flare of hope, strength, defiance and kick-ass-ness.
Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998.
Then again in 2008.
Then me, with thyroid cancer, in 2015.
So we’ve had a few conversations about what it is to navigate life’s twists and turns. And how we reconnect to our spirits along the way. What began on a whim with the first purchase of red shoes now has a meaning that transcends words. Seeing a pair of red shoes at once brings memories, heartaches, hopes and dreams to mind.
I have to thank Mum for her generosity and honesty in helping to bring the story of the red shoes to life. I couldn’t have done this episode without her. There’s probably other things I couldn’t have done without her either, but perhaps I’ll save that for another time.
Enjoy Episode 2: The Story of The Red Shoes
Life’s too short … wear the red shoes
Emma
The Grant female lineage is notoriously hardy, resilient and unyielding. You too are the latest examples in a long line; long may that continue. Hats off (maybe red ones) to you both.
Thank you Tom. It’s encouraging to hear this, and good to know there’s a long line of strength to draw on in dark times. xx
Thanks Tom, your resilience is also embedded in my pride as you are my brother xx