Making a difference

I phoned a friend of mine today. She has ME and has been struggling with this debilitating condition for years now. ironically, she was the most lively, positive person you could meet. She would throw herself into anything she was doing and always gave one hundred percent. Now, she struggles to speak, let alone do any of the normal, everyday chores we all face. But, that indomitable spirit is still there for all to see; that ready chuckle, that kind heart and strong spiritual light still shines out from her soul.

We didn't allow ourselves to become maudlin or down. We talked about the times when we had worked together and had laughed until the tears ran down our faces. We dissected the state of things and reminded ourselves that the world has always been a dark and difficult place but, with social media, we get to hear about the whole planet instead of just the troubles of the tribe. We talked about having faith that things would get better.

But, I was blown away when my friend, Julie, told me how she drags herself down to the little beach near her home to pick up some of the plastic that has washed onto shore. However hard it is, she forces herself to pick up every bit she can see... even though she then has to sit for ages before she can drag her bags of detritous back to her home. "It's not much," she said, "but if we all did what little we can, it would make a difference." How right she is and if someone with as much difficulty as Julie can manage to do what she does when she has the perfect excuse to do nothing at all, then the rest of the world has no excuse.

Julie Williamson, you are an amazing inspirational lady. Get well soon. xxx