Day 87 has seen 298 miles driven, 2 miles walked some hilarity and wonderful time spent with my family.
Tuesday saw a big drive down with my sister Isla 8 months pregnant and my brother Harry to Poole to see my brother Euan and Gemma and the children Sia, Alex, Spencer and Evie. I hadn’t seen Euan, Gemma and the children since sister Isla’s wedding in April when I was 6 months through Chemo so it was lovely to catch up post treatment, see their new house and take a delightful 2 mile walk along the waterfront. The sun was out with a stiff breeze blowing up the coast. The children bombed about on their scooters and ran around on the beech as we chatted and wandered along the roar of the sea driven by the wind in our ears, our faces stung by the occasional flecks of sand in the wind. I still hadn’t fully recovered from yesterday’s seizure. My lips were a little fuzzy and I had quite a pungent fizzing behind and in my nose. My balance wasn’t great either but the walk helped restore some sense of equilibrium as I enjoyed the sights and sounds of happy children playing on a sandy beach and a family selfie framed by a lively sea. Back at the house Pasta Carbonara knocked up brilliantly by Euan while I had a giggle with Heather via Sia’s snapchat. See below then a dash to the coop for an ice cream. I just couldn’t come to the beach and not have an ice cream!! Then the games started. Firstly charades in which little 7 year old Evie startled us somewhat as she indicated with her fingers that her film title had 2 words in it!! Then the surprise game came out and guess who lost the hilarious game of pie in your face? See the video below!! The best bit. I felt a million times better. Sia (16) took me upstairs to her room, away from the happy chatter of family life to perform for me on her guitar and sing a couple of beautiful tunes. I was spellbound by my nieces wonderful performance and as she played I was able to reflect on what I have learnt from the last few difficult days. As Isla drove us home I realised that when life seems to be too fragile, too painful, too confusing, too in your face to provide any rhyme or reason for our very existence reach out to your friends and family as those who love you, reach out to God, confront your fears and uncertainties, throw yourself in to life in whatever way you can and you may get a bit of squooshy cream in your face but you will also find peace and your very reason for your existence. Remember. Don’t try to be perfect. Just be the excellent example of a human being that you already are.