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Northern Notes: I have had a great life!

Well, you all know me. I always say it as it is. Right? This could be my last column. I will tell you the truth as I always do.

I fell and broke my skinny arm a week ago Friday. They medevaced me to the hospital in Yellowknife and examined me. The doctors found my liver was not too good and after more tests, they found out I have cancer. Nothing they can do. It is too advanced. I have two months to live. It is a long time and I might be able to write a few more articles. You never know. I might even have more time. I am a fighter. I will be going home to Norman Wells as soon as I can travel. My sister Muriel is coming to live with me until the end.

I always tell you the truth. You know, I have had a great life!

I am still in the Yellowknife hospital and my whole family is around me. I have the best family. So handsome. So beautiful, so loving. The Lord sure blessed me with a good family and they are all here, even my two little great-granddaughters. I feel good and I don’t want you to feel sorry for me.

Cece Hodgson-McCauley has been writing a weekly News/North column since the 1970s. photo courtesy of Joanne Arruda

I have had a wonderful life. From the time I was born I had a good life. I never tried to hurt people but sometimes I have had to be a strong business woman in the Beaufort and the Delta. I still think of all my girls who worked for me. Stan Peffer always told me I was like an old mother hen looking after the girls, showing them how to take care of themselves: cutting their hair, dressing them in uniforms, etc.

In Aklavik, people were asking Stan, “Where did you get that hard-boiled egg?” I changed things and made a lot of money for him.

I have been trying to find someone to take my place for a long time now; someone who will write for the paper and tell the truth. I hope I can find someone out there who is as goofy and as brave as I am and to write as I do! I have been writing for about 40 years or so. I know I have made a few enemies over the years but the people can take it. I always push for the little guys because people tell me -- my grandparents read you all the time and then the youth tell me they read me. So I try to direct my comments to them. I always say, “I write for the little guy at the grassroots level.”

Somebody will come along and tell the truth and not be afraid to speak their mind.

I am so thankful the Lord has given me time to finish my work. Two months is a long time and in this situation, time stretches. Until next time, all my love to everyone.