14th March 2025
It was my pilgrimage to see my friend Martin down in Whitney on Wye.
It was an emotional reunion, on my various visits I never know how he will be. I was happy to see him on his feet, high as a kite with his medical “weed”.
His long running battle with the NHS who he believes have “blackballed” him. He struggles to get the treatment he needs, and is in constant pain.
In between cups of coffee, and his two Newfoundlands showering me in slobber, we talked and talked and talked. No subject is ever off the table. There is constant laughter, this seems to be the best way to avoid the concerns of his condition. I am not very good at showing that outwardly. I don’t know how I will face the inevitable, one part will feel happy for him, for at last there will be no more pain, but the other part would mourn the loss of a true friend. In some ways he was the brother I never had.
We spent time listening to music, so loud it made the hairs in my nose vibrate. It reminded me that I don’t listen to music that way anymore, but prompted me to do it again.
As I left, the sky on the horizon was orange, the dappled clouds looking ominous.
I hugged my friend, and Liz, his wife, for a few hours we had forgotten the drudge of our normal routine for one full day, each time I drive away there is the thought that it might be the last, but knowing Martin, he will deny the grim reaper his soul, and probably they will both have a good laugh over it.
Another Lifetime to go 