Sunday

It has been a year and a day since I started this blog. Today, as then, we are just arriving at the seaside.

I am sad that, over the last two or three weeks, I haven’t managed to post quite as regularly or punctually as previously. We have had a couple of particularly challenging issues to contend with over this summer which I can’t yet share with you.

I hope to, eventually.

I’m also disappointed that I haven’t quite brought you up to date with the history of Bee’s illness up until this time a year ago, as was my original intention. To be honest I find it quite dispiriting, going back through my diary and email history to work out exactly what happened when.

Again, I hope perhaps I will in due course. If you keep with me, and I keep going.

Such as…

Continued and constantly frustrated attempts to get treatment.
Wild excitement at the award of supported housing after three years’ wait.
The cruel disappointment and appalling behaviour of the association providing it.
And consequent collapse of support and housing, both.
Further soaring hope at the hospital referral.

Et cetera…

Perhaps I will find the time and the courage to relate. If there are enough of you wanting to stay with me.

I sat at a wedding breakfast yesterday, in the beautiful slanting sun’s early evening of the Orangery at Kew, and an old friend I hadn’t seen for years said to me,

I’ve been following your blog every day.

Oh dear: that’s more than I have in recent days, I confessed.

Ten o’clock every day, she said. Since the beginning.

And? I asked. What has it done for you?

Given me an understanding. Made me wish I’d spent less time on work and more on friendships.

We had no idea what you were going through.

If this blog has given a little understanding, it has certainly been worth it. If somebody has been reading my blog every day for a year, it is worth it.

It has also given me a feeling of great friendship out there.

From now on, however, I won’t be committing to any particular days or times. I will write when I feel moved. So you might get nothing for six months, or I might write twice a week.

And as of today, we are all at the seaside. For several days. When did that last happen, that all Atkinses were on holiday together?

Bee seems to be doing well enough that she might be able to build sandcastles with the Little Viking.

Perhaps I might even post you a photograph... Like these ones, which I took last year.