Hang In There, Mr Harvey

One day last week, I turned on the Australia Network on ASTRO but was rudely interrupted by my Mum who needed my help to carry some stuff from the car to the outdoor kitchen. As I was schlepping the bags of groceries, I walked past the window and overheard a very familiar voice. I knew that the television show 'One Plus One' was on but I wasn't sure who Jane Hutcheon was interviewing. After I got the chores done, I came in and when I saw the man with the familiar voice, I didn't recognise him right away. I was not sure and I kept asking, "What happened? I left less than 2 years ago and whatdid you do?" The veteran television journalist's name eventually flashed across the bottom left side of the TV screen and I realized that he was really Peter Harvey - the grandfatherly newsman with a sexy voice.

I watched the interview with great sadness. I also felt inspired because Peter was putting up a good fight, he wasn't going to give up and he wasn't going to let any worries of the day to ruin his tomorrows. He also said that he wasn't going to let his fears about his tomorrows to ruin his todays. What he said about his worries/fears and his todays/tomorrows really inspired me. It is so good that he is a sharer. When I was working as a dishpig last year, a student in his mid-teens used to buy drinks from me from time to time. He had cancer but no one was to talk about his illness. We were warned by a disciplinarian to not even question him as to why he wore a beanie. The kid probably didn't even know what was going on. I fought back tears when I had to serve him. Wouldn't it be so much better if his mates knew the full story and could be there to 'support' him? What was all the secrecy for? I wondered if he suspected anything...

I read that Peter Harvey was admitted into hospital yesterday and was 'doing it tough'. I hope that he will hang in there and get well. I shall pray for him tonight. I don't know the man personally but along with Brian Naylor, Peter Harvey is someone I enjoyed watching or listening to on TV.

For those who are interested to watch the interview I watched on Australia Network, here is a link to watch it online: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-15/one-plus-one-peter-harvey/4521724