I'll say cautiously, it's okay this week, so far. One friend, not even one I'd mentioned, who'd had various physical problems for most of the last 18 months, increased in the last 3, was tested for cancer (not directly linked with anything else she'd had) last week and has been cleared. So that's one piece of fantastic news.
A wonderful lecture this morning, very well received and people already want to have her again. The great thing about booking lecturers is that I get a lot of the credit. People thank me! I've done nothing except book them. I do go to a lot of trouble and research thoroughly and make every effort to get everything to go well, but that's not the point, it's the person and their delivery that matter. I belatedly filled in the report forms for the autumn lectures and gave three outstandings and an excellent, which was absolutely to their credit. If there's any extent to which I get any credit for recognising potential, it just shows I'm a background person and I'm fine with that.
I'm picking Pam up tomorrow and taking her to her house, to fetch some papers. She'd asked one of her offspring, who's really busy. Actually, I'm really busy too, but I prioritise and Pam is my friend. I'd prioritise her more than anything else if she were my mother and I lived only 10 miles away. But I also recognise family conflicts over many years and taking sides isn't my business. I just think that one needs to do the right thing or else walk away altogether - which may well be justifiable. I rather hope that I'll never be so much despised by my children.
I don't know if I'll have a long life - I've already outlived a short one, but I don't have expectations. All I hope is that, if I'm destined to be an old woman, I'll be a lovely one. Kind and willing to listen and praise. It's honestly all I really want in my old age, if I get there. Although 72, I don't count myself there yet.
