‘I was diagnosed with a really serious prostate cancer and given six months to live. At the same time, my wife Judy was diagnosed with melanoma. I was totally convinced that I would die within the six months, and Judy’s prognosis was 50/50.

‘I wrote my will, but I wanted to make a statement before my months ended. I decided to put a part of the garden to one side for perennials that would outlast me. I planted roses, honeysuckle, some shrubs, lots of bulbs. We put a plaque up that said 1 Thessalonians 5.18. It was the most underlined verse in Judy’s Bible. It says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

‘It was very, very difficult to choose just one verse, but this was Judy’s favourite. I ordered the sign and asked them to do it quickly because my time was coming to an end. It was an epitaph in a way, but it was also saying that no matter how bad we think life might be on this earth, the final goal and the hope remains in God. It helped tremendously.

‘My cancer spread to my lymph nodes, but then it stopped progressing. I am still here seven years on. Sadly, it is five years ago that Judy died. Losing Judy was very difficult. I’m still processing it now, of course.

‘She was wonderful, patient, kind, and quite beautiful. She was concerned about everybody. We were married for 40 years and she was only 60 when she died.

‘I went to Judy’s funeral and then left the church. The “praise” element of me died for a bit. I was never angry, not at all, never for a moment. The praise element has come back. If anything bad happens, and it does, I know I can get beyond the circumstances.

‘I play the church organ. I’m going through Judy’s Bible and writing songs based on the verses that she underlined. It’s a good job I’m retired, because I’m really busy. I get up in the morning and think, “What am I going to write today?”

‘Being in the garden helps me to feel closer to Judy. There’s a real comfort in knowing that it will outlast me, especially because of the plaque. Those words will outlast everybody. There’s a comfort in that.’

Do you have a story to share? Email mybible@biblesociety.org.uk

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