A little thank you note on International Women’s Day

There’s been a lot of talk recently about the absence of kindness. 

And perhaps a need for a little less grumbling and a lot more gratitude.

I’d like to set the record straight.

16 months ago, my life changed dramatically when my husband disappeared, deciding not to be here any more. Reason unknown. Reason still unknown.

Overnight I became confused, lost, afraid, and very, very angry.

The following days were hell.

I didn’t know which way was up.

But there were moments of real comfort. And many of those moments happened because of the care and compassion of the women around me. Not just my close friends, although they were incredibly supportive. But those from my working life too. And the ones with a foot in both camps. Some were ladies I’d met a handful of times, others I’d never met at all, who reached out and helped make it a little better.    

I’d like to thank and celebrate some of those women. Because you made a difference, in so many ways...

Steph, for your insightful advice and your warm and genuine friendship.

Jenni for the encouraging words in those dark, early days.

Helen, for the thoughtful moments, coffee, cake and compassionate messages.

 Laura, for listening, and for making me laugh out loud with your wonderfully inappropriate comments.

Rachel for sending me a candle to light and a memory box for my girls to keep their daddy’s things in, and for all your beautiful words of light and strength.

Keren for all the wine and then more wine.

Advita, for the responses to my tweets in the middle of the night when I felt lost.

Ally for the continual check-ins and the unending care.

And all the Emmas, for everything you do, always.

Look around you. Kindness exists in abundance.

On International Women’s Day, I'm not here to talk about equality.

I’d just like to say thank you, to all the women who care and who show kindness, day in day out. 

I’m confident they always will.