And so, Cinderella, you shall go to the Ball...

Invitations were sent out many months ago following Chris’ famous proposal having completed his Atlantic crossing. As big sister, Charlotte was to have an important part in proceedings. And nothing could get in the way of that. Not even breast cancer. Least of all breast cancer.

Out of our adversity, our strength is garnered and becomes realised. The last seven months have comprised something of a rollercoaster. Time has taken on a whole new dimension. Life is not what it was. It is precious. It is sacred. Emotions are not what they were. They have been intensified, amplified, and are suddenly very real and very loud.

And that’s just from my perspective... Looking through the window I do. This story has no ugly sisters, but there is a destructive alien that has had to be put in its place which has taken more than a few fairy godmothers.

Thankfully, Charlotte is not short of fairy godmothers. And her would-be Buttons is well up to the job. This weekend they boarded their own pumpkin (leaving the trusty tandem at home) and travelled to celebrate her sister’s big day. Nothing could stop her. Not even breast cancer. Least of all breast cancer. Whilst this is far from a fairytale, there is much happiness to be discerned, if we take time to look around us.

"Even miracles take a little time"

Cinderella's Fairy Godmother

Comments

Table. Apple. Penny.

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Glass half full? Glass half empty? Or perhaps the glass is broken

I am, constitutionally, a glass half empty gal. I will always first acknowledge what I don't have, what I have lost, and what it is that I am seeking. I tend to overlook my strengths, concentrating only on those bits of me that are underdeveloped or weak. I refer to myself as a realist, but in doing so compliment myself and insult those who genuinely are simply realistic. My modus operandi is to identify what's not working and acknowledge this before seeing more clearly what functions perfectly well. This has its place: I edit others' written work pretty well. My fastidious attention to detail serves me, and the author. Accuracy counts, for me and I have an excellent memory. I can remember a great many of my sessions with clients verbatim. Even this asset is something I can, and do, diminish the true value of, by concentrating on 'I should have said...' or 'why didn't.... occur to me during the session?' Earlier this we...

Pausing in the sunshine

And so, chemo is over. My best friend's diary has been chocker... Line cleans, blood tests, scans and 18 weekly doses of the gruelling treatment itself. Summer seems at last to have arrived and with it, we hope, some time, peace and space. She is, we acknowledged over a rather yummy luncheon served to us beneath the beautiful canopy of creepers and climbers at Petersham Nurseries, an inspiration. A small group of us gathered to celebrate her forthcoming marriage. The sun's rays joined the warmth we all have for this very special woman. Warmth and, in my case at least, pride. It is the greatest privilege to call this woman my best friend. She continues to epitomise my understanding of grace. Our bodies are fragile things. Our minds are frailer still. In her composure and wisdom, she possesses an outlook I can only aspire to adopt. From you, dear Charlotte, I learn and I learn and I learn. The ...

The Reward is the Journey

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