Barry

A friend and colleague died tragically this week. Energetic, creative, so gifted, provocative, passionate. I haven't had much contact with him for years, but miss him now.

In the many words of tribute that have been written of him, people have spoken repeatedly of the way he lived with passion. Not a cautious person - someone who often spoke before thinking too clearly about consequences - passionate enough to risk making some mistakes. He challenges me to risk more.

Also, that someone so full of life could really be gone seems completely unreal. And reminds me again to appreciate the gift of each day and the people that fill it.

Inspiration

I was with a wonderful member of our community today who is recovering from a stroke. Life is not easy for her, but she smiled and laughed her way through my visit. From not being able to speak at all two months ago, she is now speaking fine and walking again. And determined to be completely well within the next couple of months. I think she will be.

I'm struck by the fact that in the hour that we were together we didn't complain about the government, or skinner about our neighbours, or even mutter about the weather! It was a privilege to be with someone so grateful.