I should be grateful for my life, even if, at times, it does not go so well. After all, there are many people who are worse off. One ‘blog’ friend is ill and I have yet to find the right words (indeed, any words) to express how sorry I am. Another friend is not ill so much as just not quite themselves. If only I lived a little closer.

V has a changed mind about it all. When JP died, V could see that I was a little upset, not least because I did not go to see him before he died. When V’s Dad became ill recently, there was no question of going but it brought everything into sharper focus and that the ‘cost’ of things is not as important as the cost of lost relationships. You can’t wait until some time when it all gets better – as that might be too late. You have to be there for someone when they need it, not when you need it.

So, I would go to see my friend but I am told not to. I am respectful of the call not to go but feel I should anyway. To be honest, it’s a few quid. But I have a (cunning?) plan. More soon.