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Mums coming to stay… for a week.” My husband John said apologetically, as he hung up the phone.

I scrubbed the dishes so ferociously an avalanche of foam began to form. Dan, our new boarder, was still settling in, the kids were home for the holidays and now, a visit from Dorothy, Head of the Blue Rinse Mafia.

I have a new delightful friend,
I am most in awe of her.
When we first met I was impressed,
By her bizarre behavior.

I am a member of the Order of St John. On my first solo public duty 31/2 years ago, I was buddied with another member.

Over the years, my husband Phillip had said in anger that he wanted to stop dialysing. My response was also in anger. I told him how selfish he was to think of ending it all and leaving me on my own, as I was suffering as much as he was.

I’ve never had one of those bodies blokes are overheard to say “Cor, Tom, (or Dick, or Harry) I wouldn’t mind a bit of that” about. Never one of those bronzed ‘legs that go right up to the arm pits’ sort of bods that drape themselves around swimming-pool-surrounds and muscle-bound young men of significant means.

Being the smallest child in my family had it's advantages and disadvantages. At the age of 4 I could still fit into the family christening gown and squeeze through places no other sibling could, but my parents were constantly bombarded by family, friends and the medical profession about my size or lack there of. It was suggested that I be sent to a health camp to beef me up.