I feel quite touched and 'real chuffed' as they say I the North of England



Last night was our sailing club dinner dance. After dinner they give out
prizes - usually a stream of brief announcements by the Sailing Secretary
accompanied by people collecting prizes and cups, much clapping and
cheering. But strangely before this, instead the Commodore stood up and
announced the that the 'Perseverance Trophy' was being awarded this year -
to a man who had been seriously ill and had won his first race this year.
and he gave a little speech - after a while I began to realise that he could
be talking of me, then it was clear that he was and he invited me to collect
the trophy - there was much clapping, quite a lot of cheering and after I
sat down Dorothy mentioned that over half those present had actually given
me a standing ovation!



Well I do feel that being alive today is reward enough in itself - and my
sentiments were very much with those souls who have passed on and who are
far more worthy or deserving.



But I am 'real chuffed' - and will do my best to be around to personally
hand in the trophy next year



:-)



It comprises and anchor sitting over a wood block - it is over 60 years old
and was last awarded 5 years ago.



So I suppose it goes to prove that you never really know what is about to
happen next - but one thing I am sure of is that since getting this disease
- well I really have seen the goodness in others and found deeper
friendships that I imagined



Love and Healing


Ian



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