My new rocketdogs

Ok, so they aren't that new, I've had them at least a month, but I got them for a bargain price and was so pleased.  I've been unable to do laces etc since surgery and little pumps were just getting too cold to cope with.  So for £15 I thought these were worth a punt. 

Apart from being totally cool, they are really comfy. They are wearing well and always get me compliments. 

Now I only need some more! 

Freddie Mercury

UI don't remember when I heard my first song by Queen,  but along with The Beatles and a few other groups Queen and Freddie were a staple of my upbringing.

I distinctly remember singing these songs with my best friend at Infant school, and I remember our utter sadness at learning of the death of Freddie in 1991. We would have been in year 1 at this point. An age that we didn't understand the cause of his death or the impact of him being open about his illness towards the end of his life. 

There is one Freddie work that stands out to me amongst my all time favourites, it's the one I love to sing and pretend I am on stage in front of thousands of adoring fans. Barcelona, the partnership with. Montserrat Caballé  is incredible, it sends shivers down my spine and gives me goosebumps every single time

It may be 22 years since the death of Freddie Mercury, but for me he is one of the greatest musicians and performers we have seen, and his music will outlive us all. Thank you Freddie for sharing your gift of music with the world, it makes my world a better place. You will always be greatly missed. 

Friendship

It's strange how things happen, how things can show you who your friends are and how important you are to them. 

In the last year I have been shown unparalleled kindness from virtual strangers and my "in the flesh" friends. When things first kicked off last year and I ended up going back and forth for diagnostic tests hours away from home some lovely people from a forum I used to frequent a lot decided to do something nice. When you've spent more time on trains and in random hospitals (3 different ones in two weeks) than you have at home, and having spent a months wages on travel and subsitence while there, the fact that people I'd not met for the most part cared enough to help reduced me to tears, the kindness overwhelming. Their kindness gave us enough of a buffer for us not to default on the mortgage, and left money for fuel for my partner who spent up to 5 hours a night on the road to go see me when I was in hospital for my surgery. 

Kindness comes in many forms, be it a card, a text to ask how you are or a phone call, my visits were few and far between other than my partner but it was so much appreciated to see a smiling face and have a hug. You miss those sorts of connections when so far from home, and a hug from a "ward mate" is comforting but not quite the same. 

Post flowed in for me while in hospital, even bouncing between wards and the thought and care that went into them was lovely, earplugs for when the flatulance orchestra gets too loud were greatly appreciated, but to know someone cares brings a smile.

Currently on my bed is a masterpiece,again this was created by the lovely ladies of the forum and it's beautiful patchwork crochet and knitted blanket, in vibrant colours and patterns it's beautiful, with the words forum force emblazoned on it. Forum force is something someone would ask for on behalf of themselves or someone else in a time of need. The blanket symbolises to ne the friendship and connection we all shared through a place where many of us wasted many hours and years, but it never was a place just about soap. It was a community, a group of friends and I'm pleased to say I can call those ladies (and gents) friends. 

They have listened, shown understanding, stopped me from panicking and generally held me together. There never really will be enough ways to say Thank You, but I hope they know how much of a difference they have made my life and in making a proper crap year, bareable.  I will pass forward their kindness and generosity where I can in the future. 

*here ends a really soppy post*