Hello everyone,

A bit late with my monthly blog – things have been slightly chaotic since I was wheeled into an operating theatre on April 22 and had my old dodgy hip whipped out and a brand new one put in. To say it was a shock to the system is putting it very mildly indeed – happily, this was my first experience of pretty major surgery, and for the first week or so it felt like I’d been run over by a juggernaut. Nearly two weeks in, I’m delighted to report that there’s a definite light at the end of the recovery tunnel. I graduated to one crutch indoors a few days ago, and I have a wonderful aide who comes in every morning and sets me up for the day. I have to say the cats have been no help at all – in fact, when I arrived home on the crutches, they ran! But things are slowly coming right, and tomorrow I go to the local medical centre to have clips removed which I’m hoping will make a big difference in terms of being able to sit and lie down without wincing!

But you know what? The whole experience since I got home has served as a wonderful reminder of how much kindness is out there. My collective neighbours are at my beck and call – one went over and above the call of duty one night that involved constipation – enough said! – and I’m having meals delivered and visits for chats, and when I go out on my little walks with the crutches people are so considerate, and so eager to help. It’s really brought it home to me that most people just want to live in peace and to get along with everyone else. Easy to forget that in these heartbreaking times; it’s always the bad news we hear, rather than the thousands and millions of little kindnesses that are quietly happening, not dramatic enough for the headlines, but so worth acknowledging. In Life Before Us I had Alice writing a little column in the local paper that highlighted the small happy events that never normally get flagged up – it’s something I wish would happen in real life. Just one page with nothing but good news – is that really too much to ask???

On the writing front I’m awaiting the return of my first draft of the next, along with editor’s notes on how to improve it. It will be good to jump back in again, another bit of normal life resuming!Not out till next Spring, so plenty of time to get it right…..

Mind yourselves, stay safe, practise kindness if you get the chance,

love

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