Delivering Love

Today we will celebrate the upcoming 40th birthday of one of my most favourite humans on this earth . My beautiful Ali is about to enter the realms of her prime and nobody deserves the celebrations more than she . I can feel her dying a million deaths as she realises this blog is just for her , that is the spirit she has . Unassuming , humble and without pride . However for me and I’m certain the many more who love her , she is deserving of all the love and joy in the world , so sit back and enjoy my little ode Alison .

For me friendship is not selfish , it’s not controllable, it’s not our right . It has to be earned , often sacrificially and always without condition. It takes time , it takes effort , it takes trust but most of all it takes unconditional love and acceptance . It’s a rare thing . A very beautiful thing . It’s a prize that you feel you don’t deserve but could never give up . Not ever . My parents epitomised this in their friendships. Some of my most treasured souls are ‘family’ brought into my life through this type of friendship . As they age I have watched my parents mourn some of their lost friends like there’s a chasm wide as the ocean . What my mum wouldn’t do for a heart to heart with her Harry or my dad to string some Christmas lights with Jim . They are loyal to their friends and have loved them for as long as they’ve known them . Such was the example set to me . Know your people . Know who loves you . Know who has the gold buried in their hearts .

Alison is one such lady . To much of the world she is Dr McShane . Rightly so gaining the respect that such incredible talent and ability brings . She isn’t just a doctor she’s an incredible doctor . Biased you say ? Maybe . But also there is the unseen facts and sacrifices. The days and nights of worry over a difficult patient that lasts long after she has passed them over to the care of a more specialist professional . The endless training and learning and desire to be better, to know more , to offer the best to her patients. Walking in the snow and rain to reach those most in need .. the list goes on .. it’s by no means exhaustive . We are all incredibly proud of Alison’s achievements in her career but without doubt her sunshine lies in less prominent successes .

She’s the girl who will party all night and crazy dance to the teenage tunes of her youth . She uses her GP superpowers by unwittingly extracting information in a heartbeat from you (it’s quite spectacular) then dies a death that she’s done so lol ! She’s a beauty salespersons Nirvana . There’s not a potion or lotion or therapy that she won’t gleefully try with all the enthusiasm of a kid in a sweetie shop. Her tiny frame belies the sweet tooth that the haribo and twirl wrappers in her desk drawer will confirm , her love of such competing only with her fondness for a vino or prosseco. Her life is surrounded by men , even the dog is a dude but nowhere does she thrive more than with her boys . The big one is her best friend the little ones are her companions and her home is never short of noise, drama and love . Alison adores her family . All of them. From parents to siblings to in-laws to nieces and nephews. They all mean so much to her and there’s little she wouldn’t do to ensure her family is whole and happy . She fights for this . She lives what she loves .

It is in friendship that I get to be part of this colourful life . Ali is the friend who comes when you cry out in desperation . No questions asked. She’s the friend who fights for you , stands by you and loves without any notion of condition or expectation . It makes you feel safe . Feel loved . Feel more yourself . She loves her friends and we all know this . Her Lisa’s and Nicola’s and Jackie’s are so important to her heart . When you see how she hurts for her friends when they are in difficulty it makes you feel blessed that such a person walks life with you .

Humility and kindness are not easily found in this life . They are much needed and rarely found commodities. When you see such in another you know there’s a heart that is golden . The friend that is the keeper of your secrets , the truth teller , the advice giver. The someone that you can laugh with , cry with , rejoice with .. silently sit in sorrow with . That someone who you just KNOW will be there no matter what. No matter when . No matter . I’m not the only soul , far from it , who will know this Alison . We all will celebrate this milestone in her life journey tonight , together , and in joy that she is part of each of our lives .

Happy happy happy birthday beautiful Ali … how I love you , and how you are loved by so many .

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” ~ Khalil Gibran