We are all made of stars

A good few years ago, I went to a fatigue management course for my MS.

I didn't come away with any great insights, but I did come away with a new friend.

We continued to meet up after the course ended, and shared the frustrations of MS, the ups and downs in our lives and quite a lot of tea and cake.

This week I learned that she had suddenly died. She was just 45.

While she had MS, she had also been later diagnosed with epilepsy. As if one of those things wasn't enough to cope with.

And it was a large seizure that took her. 

The only thing I can hope is that it was quick and she is now somewhere at peace. Surrounded by her family and the cats, cakes and flowers that she had loved.

:: We are all made of stars by Moby

Stay

We've just had a sunny few days in Stratford, a place we absolutely love.

Usually it's just hubby and me making a day trip of it. Occasionally we'll manage an overnighter with theatre thrown in.

But this time it was a couple of nights with our daughter too, so slightly fewer tea shops and slightly more buying of near-teenage must haves.

It was a lovely chance to spend some time together that wasn't disturbed by work worry or house faff or general tedious admin. There was a lot of laughing.

The last time we went was just before the pandemic really took hold and the first lockdown came into force.

Back then I was reflecting on how my MS had moved on and, among the laughter and activity, this trip brought similar comparisons.

I know I'm progressing. I can tell by the amount of streets I can manage without a break, by the number of Tudor museum steps I can climb easily and by the help I now need to mount the huge Ferris wheel which offers spectacular views of Stratford.

What I don't want though, is for one of my favourite places to become the yardstick by which I track my deterioration.

However, rather than avoid it, we will continue going to Stratford, continue drinking ludicrous amounts of tea in its many cafes and continue making my way through its familiar streets.

MS won't stop, I know this. But if I can help Stratford stay as one of my happy places, then I will concentrate my limited energy on doing that.

:: Stay by Shakespeare's Sister