Cecelia Jansen: being a single mom, breast cancer, and newfound love
Raising four children as a single parent, receiving a breast cancer diagnosis and undergoing a nine-hour surgical procedure - amidst other losses - could not extinguish Cecelia Jansen’s faith. Then she met a man who looked beyond her scars, saw her heart, and helped her realise a life-long dream. Listen to an inspiring story of courage and hope.
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In ep. 215 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, Cecelia Jansen from Strand touches on
raising four children as a single mom
an innovative way to address a problem with a child
an unexpected hospital visit from a famous writer
Cecelia’s cancer diagnosis
maintaining her emotional balance amidst huge challenges
a 9 hour-long operation
how Cecelia worked at strengthening her body and her mind
deciding to open herself up to new friendships and, perhaps, love …
Julian’s big question at Langebaan
a surprise proposal
what happened at Cecelia’s dream destination.
Scroll down for Julian’s wedding vows set to music.
Listen to Julian’s wedding vows (which you can read by scrolling down), set to music with the help of AI:
Julian’s Wedding Vows
Today, on this beautifully pebbled beach, once part of a majestic volcano in the Aegean Sea, you Cecelia Theresa marry three persons: the person you think I am; the person I am, and the person I am going to become as a result of being married to you.
In over two years you have taught and show me to take the road not taken, to complete the journey I embarked on many years ago, to forget the persons and ghosts that wanted me to fail, but most of all: to forgive, to love unconditionally and to move onward.
You have shown me the special heart of the Southern Suburbs, the enchantment of its mountain, forest and beach, the goodwill of its community and the seasons of life.
In the Helderberg, where I raised two strong sons, I plan to do the same to you.
How you as a single mother have raised your children in strictness with the handbook of Motherly Love, gave them hope to believe in themselves and be the best versions of themselves, has always fascinated me and filled me with sheer awe, admiration and inexplicable respect.
Be that as it may: your scars are beautiful and your endeavors that of a gladiator. Your goodness that of faithful steps under our Heavenly Father’s gaze.
You will always be my champion, my superstar, my True North.
The profound words (which I adapted) of Nicholas Sparks from The Notebook resonate with me today: "I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who’s ever lived: I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough."
I truly love you.
I solemnly promise under this blue Greek sky and on the soil where civilization has sprung, to hold your hand every day, to share with you God’s plan for us together, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth. To always love, cherish and honor you.
I will be you lover, your sidekick, your partner in crime,
And, I know that the home we will build together will praise God every day.
Luister ook na Julian se openhartige gesprek oor die lewe ná 60 – ‘n ander werksritme, Cecelia Jacobs, die “nommerpas vrou” en hoe hy sy 3 grootste persoonlike traumas benader het.
Listen to Kurt Darren’s Standing On The Edge, which Julian played when asking Cecelia to marry him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdGIGiSoAKo
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Original music by Mart-Marie Snyman
Thumbnail image: Unsplash.
Photographs of Cecelia and Julian Jansen: supplied.