Last updated June 5 2025
Chapter 63
The Fear Element
A lesson for all of us. Marlene confessed to this many times and saw it as a lesson for others to not repeat. We all are afraid with myself included but usually pressure wins over and we trudge along.
For those who knew Marlene we can guess the impact it had and so for those unaware, it is hoped this will help going forward in your own life.
Fear is the human characteristic that drives our lives the most. Love unfortunately comes in at a very distant second. Fear runs our lives and usually not for the better.
Marlene’s greatest regret is to not have gone to university. Fear got in the way as her guidance councillor suggestion she go into sciences rather than English related subjects combined with knowing she would stay in a dorm with people she’d never met before and finally not having visited the campus prior to September made her very fearful and she dropped out. At this young age, more preparedness, hand holding and encouragement is required.
From a Health perspective, her decision to not undergo surgery to remove part of her lung was one she regretted. It only came up a couple of times afterwards, but I made sure to never bring up that subject as a see I told you so moment. Fear was the main reason she avoided the surgery, but I mostly blame the Surgeon for giving her the ultimatum rather than trying to address her fears. I don’t care how good a surgeon you are but if you cannot relate on a human level with a patient you need to go. So yes, it was her decision but there is no question the surgeon is to blame.
How to overcome fear in your life is something we can all recognize and hopefully overcome in some way but sadly it is part of the human condition.