YVONNE TOZZI

Yvonne Tozzi was 42 when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2003. She’s now 19 years in remission, but battling cancer and facing your own mortality changes one forever. The mother to Australian models Cheyenne and Tahyna, and Oma to their children, shares the wisdom learnt on that journey with Dahlia, Echo, Oisin and Tadhg.

To my Klein Kindertjes (little children), Oh, what a journey you have in store, the rollercoaster of life ... it’s gonna get a bit crazy at times and super bumpy.

It’s OK to be scared, but trust that in all it’s going to be magical, and there will be moments of so much joy that you will feel you are the only one in the whole world who knows the intoxicating jubilation of being alive. These are the things I want you to remember and take with you forever in your heart.

Be kind, compassionate, caring and never compromise with love.

Your heart will be broken many times and you will break hearts but that is part of the journey. Love hard and love deep.

Be strong, resourceful and respectful – earn respect. Respect isn’t a given, you have to earn those stripes, so work hard for it.

Do not intentionally hurt others as you don’t know their journey or their story. People everywhere have their own battles so don’t take it personally.

Be the teacher of your ability, your talent, and be generous with your time. For time is just a moment of your life’s journey.

Have fun. Laugh, sing, dance, run, skip and be silly. Remember that birthday cake is meant for eating as well as getting your face smooshed into.

Those clothes are meant to create a character so have fun. Don’t take yourself seriously as life is serious enough.

Do not care what other people think of you. They are only on your life’s journey for a minute and you can push them off your journey at any and every moment.

Make yourself proud because that is the reflection of you every time you look in the mirror.

Create memories of joy and have the insight of making memories for others. A smile goes a long way.

And know in your hearts that I will be that shadow following you everywhere you go. Watching, loving, dancing, skipping and running with you until you will be writing words of life and laughter to your own children and grandchildren.

I love you with so much appreciation, for all you have given me on my life’s journey.

Thank you.