I can't put in to words what Dorothy House did for me and Claire and Claire's family. They let our puppy come in and lick hands and faces and be mischievous. They sat with Claire if I needed the loo so that she was never alone, not even for a moment, no matter what time of the night. They packed us the most elaborate overnight medical kit so that we could escape reality and spend one last night in the hotel where we spent our wedding night. They let Claire know that I wouldn't be alone at the very worst moment. They spoke honestly and kindly and warmly about the hardest things. They gave us time. They performed any tiny act they could to try and ease Claire's pain. And they are doing this for someone else today, and they will tomorrow, in a quiet and wonderful way.
This time last year I was getting ready to run my first ever half marathon. I knew I would run this one alone because Claire had been ill but we both thought we'd run every future one together. But I'm not running this one alone, I'm running it with Claire's amazing sister and with very good friends.
The training has been awful. There's no way I'll run a decent time. But I absolutely know how proud Claire would be when we finish. If you would like to make a donation, it will go to the hospice in Claire's name. And it will make me feel like I really have to finish the bloody thing!
