So, I did a thing!

Back in lock down 2020 whilst everybody was homeschooling, learning new languages and fermenting yeast for sour dough bread baking, I decided to spend the extra time in the house doing something really useful - I started to learn how to synchronise my Christmas lights to music, you know, like you’ve seen on YouTube!

It took longer and was more complicated than I imagined, a global computer chip shortage didn’t help with the procurement of the necessary technology, but finally, three years later, I’m ready to unleash the results on my neighbours (sorry).

2023 has been a funny old year for us. In January our world was shaken when my beautiful wife Tracey was diagnosed with breast cancer and life took us on a journey we weren’t expecting to take.

We were very fortunate that the outcome was positive and I’m happy beyond words to report that Tracey will be around to disapprove of my Xmas light addiction for many a year to come.

Along the way we met the truly awesome and inspirational people at the Rosemere Cancer Centre, dedicating their working lives to treating and taking care of people just like us, people who never really expected to be there. We’re all aware of the 1 in 2 statistic, but don’t we all believe we’re the 2 rather than the 1…..until somebody sits you down and tells you otherwise?

A cancer treatment centre is a pretty daunting place to be told to turn up to (and I was only playing a supporting role), until you actually get there.

Rosemere is more than a world class medical facility, it’s a community of superheroes helping people though their toughest days.

From the reception team, to the lovely ladies in the cafe, the radiotherapists, consultants, nurses and all the other experts, even the other patients (some of which clearly had a more challenging road ahead of them than we did) - everybody cares, everyone is rooting for you and somehow everyone knows just how to deal with what’s in front of them in the most appropriate way possible. Be that well timed humour, sensitivity or a bit of straight talking when needed.

With enough application and desire I’m sure anybody could train, pass exams and become a medical professional, but the instinct and ability to provide empathetic care to anybody who needs it is a gift that some people are just born with. It’s a gift everybody we met at Rosemere seemed to have, which is what makes them all so brilliant at what they do. We can’t thank them enough.

So to give them whatever small help we can, we’ve decided to put on the light show in aid of Rosemere. If you enjoyed the show we’d be very grateful for a small donation if you’re able to.

If you didn’t manage to see the whole show or if you’re wondering what all this is about, see a virtual version at the link below.

Note, barring the odd copyright issue where the video may be silent the entire show is here, don’t watch it all if you’re planning to visit - the real thing is much better!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGOQKrBzj55oatCU6yYd-X9cjQ1l3RWP0

Thank you so much, have a very happy Christmas and here’s to (in our case) a less traumatic 2024.