The day had finally arrived – one I had been dreading but equally looking forward to, because with hope, my own life would start again. For the past year my world had been filled with the preparation for the Clipper! How on earth had this come about? Just out of the blue, Tom had decided to sign up. No slow build up, no discussion, no joint decision, just bang – that’s what’s happening. Life for me then began to unravel, first of all with the appalling deterioration in the health of my dear Dad, then his death in February, plus all the ensuing fallout from his estate and all the time the black cloud of Clipper hanging over me. Looking back, I seemed to slowly slip headlong into a huge black void suffocating with grief. Everyone was so very kind to me and tried to help me keep my head above water. I was angry, upset, brokenhearted, horrified, frightened and oh so sad. But slowly, six months later, here I am, with the help of little white pills and increased steroids, just about able to face the future, despite the fact that two of the people I love most in the world have left me. I began to accept that Dad who had enjoyed his life to the full was really to leave. And Tom had had a wretched time for the past couple of years and needed to turn his life around. All I can hope for is that his life will turn back towards me this time next year.