Hi Everyone,

I hope you’re doing well and enjoying the sunshine!

I’m sorry that I haven’t written to you in the last couple of weeks. For those of you that aren’t aware I had a bit of a health scare and ended up in hospital for a few days. Fortunately, following lots of tests and checks (some that weren’t pleasant!) I’ve been given the all-clear to get back on with my life! However, it was definitely a scary and worrying time and more so in some ways for my family and friends than for myself.

What it did do was bring home to me yet again the power of relationships. We all live busy lives where we think we’re just in our lanes doing our own thing and no-one else really notices what we’re doing. Sometimes we even question am I making any difference at all to the people around me. What has surprised and moved me over the last week or so is 1) how quickly the jungle drums work when something happens and 2) how many people who upon hearing of my scare have reached out in all sorts of ways to offer help, support, and kind words. The well wishes came from all corners and from people who I’m not particularly close to or see regularly but even still they took the time to reach out, send a card or check in with the family. It made me think about how little we truly know about the impact we have on others. What we might think of as a small gesture or a “hello” in a morning might mean the world to someone else. It is easy to feel like we don’t make a big enough “splash” in the world but it’s clear to all of us that relationships are built and nurtured through the small almost invisible acts of kindness that occur every day.

So, if the last two weeks have taught me anything it’s this:

1. Never ever take your health for granted!
2. You are making more of a difference to more people than you will ever realise.
3. Small acts of kindness can have a much bigger impact than you appreciate.
4. Reaching out and checking in no matter how brief is always worth the time and effort.
5. Relationships (in all their forms) are everything!

Have a great week everyone and thank you for all your hard work.

Best Wishes

Gavin