Trip with pal was a breath of fresh air...

Happy New Year to you all! I have always seen Christmas as a time for family – as I mentioned last week – while New Year is a time for friends.

Since being diagnosed with cancer I have also realised I should spend more quality time with friends to show I have enjoyed their company and in some way commit to our future friendship.

I spent New Year with my best pal Jim and his family – staying with Julian, another friend, in Somerset. It was such fun visiting the likes of Glastonbury, Lyme Regis, Wells and Cheddar Gorge because we all chose to be there rather than feeling obliged to be there. Getting kids away from video games each day and letting them experience the outdoors was fab too.

And while they would not be kids if they didn’t say things were

“boring” before the event, they always came home with more energy and a happier demeanour. Being away from my suburban home also gave me an opportunity to train for my next race in different surroundings. By starting early, when it was dark, I managed to get home as others were waking – so as not to miss out on spending time with them.

Then as 2018 came to a close I realised that while I had enjoyed the break I was looking forward to restarting things that I know are good for others and me. I have so much that I want to achieve in life and don’t want to waste a day.

I hope that you also managed to show those important to you how key they are in your life and demonstrate some commitment to keep them all for the next year. If you haven’t, it’s never too late – so pick up the phone this week and agree to meet up soon. You should all feel better for it.

Until next week

New Year shows how valuable it is to have friends and keep them in your life

Kev