Nature Walking With Cancer

"Kidd describes his journey with equal measures of humor, intelligence, wit, and grace. A great read not only for those seeking insight into the modalities of holism, but for anyone appreciative of the human spirit and its connections to the wider world. Kidd's embrace of nature and its teachings, approachable writing style, and words of wisdom in the face of mortality will resonate with readers on numerous levels. -Eric Anderson (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), Haskell Indian Nations University Nature Walking with Cancer is an unflinching look at coping with a devastating diagnosis, and finding healing in the planet we inhabit-often without consciousness of its power. By turns contemplative, heartbreaking, and funny, Randy Kidd's memoir is a testament to the ability of the human spirit to find resiliency and peace in the natural world, and to come to terms with the process of letting go. -Robin Catalano, SATW Lowell Thomas Award-winning journalist and author [Kidd's] book encourages us to live large and on the edge, to communicate with candid vulnerability, and to find our own North Star. His journey certainly covers all the bases: concussions, irresponsible dog walkers, the healing power of nature, and the inescapable mortality of the human condition. Whether you're living with cancer, or walking through your own dark battles, Randy reminds us that by staying active and grounded to our home, the Earth can give us real life. The wisdom that he leaves behind is a true legacy, and we are all blessed to have this book to ground us and motivate us as we battle life's fires. -Ben Postlethwait, Kansas Director, The Nature Conservancy Randy's gentle and open approach shines through in these pages, transforming you to a simpler place where love and nature are the cornerstone for a conscious, fulfilled journey. -Dana Scott, Founder & CEO DogsNaturallyMagazine.com, FourLeafRover.com Randy Kidd was a polymath, naturalist and master storyteller. His account of how to live with and eventually die from metastatic cancer is remarkable. He sets his soul free to discover what is ultimately to know about everything. -H. C. Palmer is a poet, physician and veteran of the American War in Vietnam. His book, Feet of the Messenger, BkMk Press was a runner-up for the Balcones Poetry Prize in 2017. Randy Kidd made it happen! He wrote his memoir with grace and a sense of peace, just as one would expect Randy to do. His love for nature and the human spirit shines throughout ""Nature Walking with Cancer."" Randy inspires us to live life to the fullest amongst nature, animals, family, and ourselves. -Sandy Carlson, Program Manager, Symphony in the Flint Hills What differentiates Kidd's memoir from most comes from his understanding of nature, human nature, medicine, and death that is more closely tethered to and deeply rooted in the wisdom of indigenous peoples. While always remaining critically respectful of the Western, aka...Modern, view of nature and medicine in which he was trained, Kidd nevertheless invites readers to imagine ourselves-our lives, health, illness and even our deaths-through the powerful metaphors and myths; stories and poems of an older wisdom; an ancient wisdom of the supposedly ""pre-Modern"" peoples many of us are quick to dismiss as outdated and unhelpful. In offering this invitation to his readers, Kidd offers us the gift of bearing witness to the solace he found in this wisdom and gently, but firmly challenges us to explore whether this wisdom might provide us with the solace needed to confront our own inevitable deaths with grace and kindness. -Kevin Lee, Bereavement & Spiritual Care Coordinator, Hospice, Visiting Nurses Association."