I’m not in the habit of blowing my own trumpet, but I’ve had a ‘thank-you’ that I want to share with you. It came from someone who asked me to speak at their W.I. I did: I talked about my dance with cancer to a group of about 30 women, I answered questions, I signed and sold books. It was a lovely event. I wrote about it here.

And here’s what the organiser wrote to me afterwards:

Dear Stephanie, a huge and heartfelt THANK YOU!! from all our members for your inspiring and memorable talk. We were all touched by your zest for life and honesty in sharing your experience of breast cancer. Some of us were particularly grateful for your do’s and don’ts when approaching friends and family who have been diagnosed.

Your emphatic statement “Life is Good” has remained with me, I even have the words on a little wooden wall hanging with a yellow campervan on it in my kitchen, to remind me each day.

You had a tremendous impact on us all and we hope you enjoyed your time with us.

Every blessing be yours and may the beauty of spring refresh you and renew your joy and delight in life.

The reason that I’m sharing it is this. This email made me happy not simply because it says nice things about me, although obviously that’s gratifying, but because everything that this lady is thanking me for doing is everything that I am setting out to do. Sometimes, when I load up the car with books and head off, then wrangle another projector into talking to my laptop, then look at the faces in front of me and try to balance the reality of cancer with a positive message, I wonder whether I’m really spending my time well: whether I have anything to offer, whether the people who have given up an hour and a half to hear me talk will feel that it’s time well spent. This email has made me feel that it’s worth doing what I’m doing.

Also, how lovely to be blessed like that.

So today, if someone has done something that you’ve grateful for, please let them know. A thank you will probably mean more to them than you imagine.