Attitude
Aside

“Sir – At 81, I live in small sheltered bungalow, suffering from severe arthritis in all my joints, degeneration of the spine, diabetes, high blood pressure and occasional bouts of atrial fibrillation. Just over a year ago, I underwent surgery for cancer. Do I let it all get me down? No.

I do not have enough hours in the day. I paint, collect stamps, read, do the Telegraph crosswords, and use my computer, and go on holiday to Europe three or four times a year. It saddens me that I can no longer walk as much as I did, but I hobble to the village when necessary.

I go to aquatherapy classes twice a week to keep my joints mobile and I wake every morning thanking God I am alive, especially when the sun shines and I see snowdrops and daffodils already in bloom. I would like to go on another 20 years as long as my brain remains in good working order.

At the cancer clinic recently, the nurse said I looked younger than she did. My reply was that I am a great believer in positive thinking. There is still so much I want to do and time goes so quickly that I doubt I shall succeed, but in the meantime I shall keep trying and try not to think about dying.
Kay Alexander
South Brent, Devon”

I keep this in my wallet to remind me to put a sock in it when I'm feeling blue.