Today is the first day of the ‘Friendly February’ calendar developed by Action for Happiness. This encourages us to ‘… share Friendship and boost our relationships’. I am really looking forward to trying different actions as we go through the month. I look forward to connecting differently with some people, and perhaps connecting with folk I don’t know or know less well.

I am fortunate in have a number of people in my life who mean a lot to me. Some are friends, some are family, and others are in my Quaker community. And then there are those who I may not know but who have inspired me, and those who are no longer in my life but who meant a lot to me at the time. So – who shall I send a message to? How can I tell them what they mean to me?

After some thought I have decided to send messages to the two daughters of a very close friend of mine who died some time ago. They clearly remind me of someone I loved very much. However they mean a lot to me for other reasons as well. I said the following (names changed):

My dearest Sasha and Bonnie You both mean so much to me, not just because you are Josie’s daughters and provide a link in this way, but because you are so special in your own right. You’ve each grown into wonderfully bright, courageous, warm, strong, interesting and sensitive young women, and I am so proud of you, and so grateful to have you in my life – thank you. Love and lots of hugs, Carrie xxx