Results tagged “EL DIVO” from Birmingham Mail - I Will Survive

A month has gone by since I last wrote, but I'm still here and feeling energised by this wonderful Spring weather and the joy of watching the spring flowers and blossoms burst forth and the sounds of busy amorous birds.Our 2 bird boxes have now been claimed by blue tits and a blackbird couple and a robin seem to have taken up permanent residence in our garden.I'm always planting and pruning and it feels such a happy garden, if only I had the time to relax and enjoy it. That must be my new goal for this summer

I lived in my previous house for 20 years and my next door neighbour was a lovely lady called Stella. When she left I used to visit her and she was always interested in "my boys" and my cat Chloe who she loved. I was going to see her before Xmas but I had to cancel and she was disappointed. "I shall come and see you again soon" I said. As I sat at her funeral 2 weeks ago, how I regret not making the time to see her for now it is too late. I shall never make that mistake again.

I have always been lucky with my neighbours and we invited our great friends Thelma and Leno, who were my neighbours 40 years ago,to a "cinema evening" at our house to see "Mama Mia" - what a happy good feel factor that film leaves you with.

Talking of good feel factors on the 24th February I started the first session of "The Living with Cancer Course" run by Macmillan at Coventry.I always do a great deal of work beforehand because it is so important. My co-tutor Mike and I are a good team and we were pleased to see 14 people turn up. They all looked worried and uncertain about their future. Three weeks on the difference is amazing, they are making action plans, taking control of their lives and daring to hope and more importantly they are helping each other.I always come home exhausted, but it is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.On the first day I had an hour to turn myself round and go with my friend Debbie to see "El Divo" at the NEC.What a wonderful night, it's amazing how 4 handsome, gifted men can revitalise you again!

That week my friend Steve Dourass from Macmillan brought the latest member of their fundraising team, James to meet my "old" Macmillan nurse and friend Sue and myself.What a joy to be able to entertain Sue to tea and cakes again - just like old times and for all of us to discuss how we fit into the "Grand Plan". It is very good when the men at the top take the time to find out what happens at "the coal front". We all learn so much from tthese meetings and share stories and laughter which help us to help others.

The weekend was upon us and John and I had such a special treat in store - our friends John and Kay had arranged a night with dinner in the best room at the best hotel in Llandudno.Kay and I have been friends for 60 years and this was my 65th birthday present.No one could have given me anything more special, John and I both love Llandudno, we always feel well and happy there and I believe the sea is very therapeutic.

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We arrived at the Osborne Hotel and were shown to our beautiful suite decorated in Victorian style complete with a fire in the old Victorian fireplace. The next morning we sat having breakfast in our room, overlooking the sea, with a friendly seagull perched on the window ledge hoping for a croissant, I thought how lucky I am to still be here to experience all these wonderful things and when our friends Carol and Val, who live in Llandudno, knocked on our bedroom to have a cup of tea with us I felt just like Hyacinth Bouquet.

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We left Llandudno refreshed and happy after 2 glorious sunny days there thanks to special friends like Kay and John whose generosity had made it all possible.