As I write this my 90 year old mum, Pam, is undergoing surgery for a broken hip. She has been a poor old thing, having suffered recurrent infections over the last few months and then having a bad fall last week. This is the third time she has been in hospital in 5 months and you begin to wonder how much more she can take.

It does also make you think about your own health as you are getting older and how it is important to relish every single moment as we all succumb eventually to frailty – even the most hale and hearty will eventually become weaker and then be much more dependent on others for their care.

It has been an incredibly difficult and worrying time with my mum but what has been amazing to witness each time she becomes ill is her indomitable spirit. She has a strength and tenacity that I have not really acknowledged before. In fact I have to admit to perceiving her at times to be a very negative person as she often seemed to be complaining about things.

I now realise I was wrong about her and it’s seeing how she has coped over the last few months which has changed my opinion. I can understand the reasons for her negativity much more and have seen a strength and resilience there that I am in awe of.

I believe that we each have a very strong inner core which can help us in rough times and the human spirit is far more resilient than we think.

Here’s to Pam.

Best wishes,
Wendy x