04/09/2026
February 2008.
I came across a post just now from a lady who spoke about a defining moment in her life. And I immediately knew mine.
It comes back to me sometimes when I’m about to try something new. Especially when I’m about to meet new people.
This is me abseiling in Wales on my first ever boot camp. The one I did with Doris where we first met Iain Reitze
Climbing this immensely high and immensely challenging wall of rock was my moment. Initially, I was excited and full of courage and wanted to go first. But I got about 10 feet up and panicked. I went into meltdown and called out for them to help me get back down. There was a team of women whom I’d made friendships with from the get-go on this week and they all rallied round to help me down. They comforted me, supported me, and gave me the strength I needed to go again. I went again and I got all the way to the top. And then I abseiled back down. It was exhilarating, exciting, empowering and emotional!
So much from this activity has made me who I am today. All of those emotions I felt. Were they from the activity or were they from the support I got from my friends? These ladies hadn’t known me all my life. We had no history. They had no loyalty to me. And yet they were the reason for this defining moment in my life. Whilst my Mum stood by and watched me with pride and love.
Friendship, to me, defines me. Without it, I am so bereft. I read somewhere once that the pain experienced from being left out of friendship groups is the same as the worst physical pain. And I have experienced that so many times. And yet, I decided to go out during lockdown, when the world had to stay at home, and capture moments for families that they will never experience again in our lifetime. I captured history for so many because I wanted to be their friend for those moments I was taking their photos and, hopefully, for a long time after. CONT. IN COMMENTS
