Try a little kindness, Glen Campbell

For those of you who know Glen Campbell, you may remember this wonderful song – ‘Try a little kindness’ (and if not, it’s worth having a look on YouTube).  At the end of the week that included World Kindness Day on Tuesday, and after a lovely SLJ run in Knole Park this morning that started with a few warm and lovely hugs from old friends, I thought I should write a short blog to recognise the kindness of so many that I have experienced lately.

Although my chemo finished at the end of April, it has taken me months to get all of the poison out of my system and I probably haven’t felt back to a ‘new normal’ until October.  Many of you will know that I did my best to keep working full-time throughout the chemo with the exception of a few days when I was just too ill to work.  There were some people that assumed that because I wasn’t at home in bed, I was fine and I think they forgot that I was ill.  However, many others have been really sensitive and have shown me a great deal of kindness throughout, recognising that no matter how things look on the outside, living with a rare disease requires a huge amount of mental strength and it’s not the same on the inside.

So, today I want to celebrate and thank all of you who continue to show me such wonderful support, love and kindness.  I appreciate it so much.  And if I get tearful when you give me a hug or show me a small act of kindness, it’s not because I’m sad, it’s because I’m so appreciative.  Maintaining a positive mental attitude is absolutely critical for me and I feel very fortunate to have so many kind and wonderful people helping me to maintain it.  THANK YOU!