On this day, I woke as always under the heavy black cloud of reality. My wife is suffering from cancer, and things are getting complicated.

On this day, the soldiers of Russia marched into Ukraine. I listened to a Kievan woman on the radio, crying her heart out.

On this day, I took a stroll at lunchtime. I felt sunshine, I saw snow on the hills, and I bought cannoli for me and Sarah to enjoy.

So on this day, I somehow managed to smile. Give me tomorrow; another chance, another day.

Gordon Doherty