Last Friday was my 65th birthday. It seems hard to think that one year ago, I had serious doubts over whether or not I would ever have another birthday, and yet here I am. It has been an amazing year with experiences and emotions I would never have imagined. I really do feel re-born, so perhaps I should call this my first birthday. I have truly tried to live up to my promise to myself to enjoy every moment of my life and have tried to fill my time with things I want to do. But it's not easy. My return to 'normal' coincided with the most serious financial crisis we have ever known, and I had to come to terms with the resulting massive reduction in income. After earning nothing for almost six months this was a heavy blow, but I am a man of simple pleasures and cost is not everything. I have been able to enjoy my life; golf, the band, work and my friends and family and, although I do suffer from extreme tiredness I do enjoy my activities.
I now find myself looking forward to 2009 with some confidence that I will recover in health and strength. My kidney transplant is not imminent; in fact I may have a whole year before I need the surgery.
I will try not to neglect this blog so much in the future - it really does help me.
