Wednesday 24 June 2009

Many happy returns to?

My earlier post on this subject sort of exhausted me emotionally for a while. I’m still not sure whether it was the right thing to do.
When I was diagnosed we took a decision to be open about the problem and we notified all our close family and friends by phone or by email partly because we had learned how simple the test was for the disease and we wanted to make sure that everyone likely to be affected could get tested. One of my wife’s cousins showed positive and he has since had successful surgery. He was pretty grateful that we told him about it.
Only a couple of people were what you could call malicious about it and although I am trying to forgive them I’m finding it hard.
Most people have been respectful of our wishes and very helpful. It is this helpful aspect that got me thinking about the coming anniversary. I need to say thank you in some way. To the friend who’s church regularly pray for me, to my mate the fellow sufferer who is now my mentor, to the friend who took over a big chunk of my voluntary work so that I could concentrate on some important national issues, to my oldest friends who live close by and are there when we need them. They put up my Christmas lights to greet me when I came out of hospital. And to my friends who supplied me with a wheel chair when I was having difficulty walking. These and other acts of kindness have touched me deeply. There are many more of course and the single acts of kindness mentioned are not the only things these friends are doing. It’s great to have them around as friends. Thank you all so much, we could not have done what Pat & I have achieved over the last couple of years without you.
Post approved by my editor in chief.

3 comments:

Gerry said...

It go'es both ways Bob, you and Pat where there when I needed you on Monday.
I'm glad I was'nt the only one up at five this morning, them dam
birds, I love them realy.
Gerry

TheYamYam said...

Hi Bob, I stumbled across your blog a couple of weeks ago and then read the piece you refer to.

For what it's worth, I think you did the right thing. It helped put the rest of your blog in context, and furthermore, gave me a lot to think about and value about life.

I was deeply moved by your honesty, courage to get important thoughts out of your system and the humanity of the piece. Total respect man, and may I wish you and your 'editor in chief' well in your daily battle.

Bob the Black Country Brummie said...

Why, thank you both for commenting on my little blog. I'll do my best to keep it in context.
Like I said in m y earlier piece every day is a bonus and what a bonus today.