Hello Fear…Welcome Back…

Terri Wingham is the founder and CEO of A Fresh Chapter, a cancer survivor, and someone who believes that we are not defined by the most difficult aspects of our story.

Written by Terri Wingham | January 10, 2012

It’s midnight. The house is silent and I know I should sleep, but I can’t. Instead, I pace, pack, un-pack, and re-pack. My fingers searching for something to keep me busy so I don’t have to think about the excited pre-Christmas-like jitters or the heavy, pre-exam-like ball of fear. Yes, tonight is the moment when all that talk about my crazy audacious dream becomes REAL.

Nine months ago, I put on my Big Girl Panties and flew to Africa. Now it’s time to pull them on again.

I wish you could come with me. Sit with me and talk me off my ledge of panic when I seal my suitcase for the last time. Walk with me into YVR as I check-in for my Cathay Pacific Flight and then shuffle behind me as I board my first EVER flight to Asia. We could stare out the tiny window and wave goodbye to the Vancouver skyline together.

But, for now, I’ll have to settle for sharing this video about My Adventure of Hope that my new friend Hal at Moonrider Productions put together. Hal has been an absolute dream to work with and made it easy for me to get over my fears of being on camera.

I guess it’s time to say signora! See you on the flip side. GeoVisions in Vietnam – here I come!! I will leave you with one of my all time favourite quotes: Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.  ~Ambrose Redmoon

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Comments (8)
  • DebbieWWGN • January 10, 2012

    Terri:

    God speed, Terri! Travel safely and much love and support to you! I can’t wait to hear all about your adventure of hope as it enfolds. You may feel fearful, but you have courage to burn and I’m proud to know you.

    Survival > Existence,

    Debbie

  • Terri Wingham • January 13, 2012

    Thank you so much! I am so grateful for all of your support and needed to read this comment about having courage to burn today. I had a meltdown at the Vietnam Airlines counter today because they wouldn’t let me on the flight (for the 2nd day in a row!!). I am so hopeful that I will get a letter from immigration tonight to get me on the flight tomorrow. Ah life!

  • DebbieWWGN • January 10, 2012

    P.S. Love the new picture. You’re gorgeous!

  • Renn @ The Big C and Me • January 10, 2012

    Fantastique adventure awaits! And the BC blogosphere awaits hearing all about your new adventures.

    Have fun. You are doing something so many of us only dream of doing.

    Godspeed indeed!
    😉

  • Terri Wingham • January 13, 2012

    TY SOO much. I appreciate the support and could use some more of God’s Speed as I try to get a visa into Vietnam. It’s night 3 in a hotel in Hong Kong after 2 long days at the airport. Hopefully I will make the flight tomorrow. Look forward to keeping in touch! Terri

  • DebR • January 10, 2012

    Terri
    While you feel like you are approaching your fears – again – we see this brave incredible woman emerging from herself – strong and very resilient. Have fabulous journeys. I will be watching eagerly for your stories. Be safe, experience and BELIEVE! Look how far you have gotten so far!
    all the best
    Deb R
    Deb

  • Terri Wingham • January 13, 2012

    Deb,
    You are amazing. Thank you for this comment. It is exactly what I needed to hear today. I spent the last two days at Hong Kong International trying to get on my flight to Vietnam, but because of a visa issue, I still haven’t been able to fly out yet. Fingers crossed the letter from immigration comes today and I get on the flight. tomorrow. Resilience is fast becoming my middle name.
    All the best to you too and can’t wait to catch up this summer!
    Terri

  • What You Might Miss… | A Fresh Chapter • June 27, 2012

    […] She didn’t say anything. She simply walked over and hugged me. She knew me enough to know I would get past my panic attack and find the resolve to finish packing and somehow push through every hyperventilating moment until my imminent departure. […]

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