As women we cope with change every single day. In my case it starts with changing a nappy (my 14 month old daughter’s) and ends with changing into my pyjamas. Small things, but significant to both my daughter and me!

For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to become a chef. I was awestruck by the glamorous persona of the TV chefs that occupied my every spare hour. To be totally honest, there is absolutely nothing glamorous about being a chef. The terms blood, sweat, tears and slavery are more like it! This of course only became clear after my perfectly ironed and starched chef’s whites and brand new Green Cross shoes were in my cupboard…

When you look back on your life, what have been the special gifts you have cherished, and why? Are the people who gave you the gift still part of your life today, or have they moved on? How did you feel when you received the gift - surprised, elated, confused, overwhelmed or ambivalent? Do you still have the gift or has it been hidden away in the hoards of other unneeded or unwanted items you have discarded but haven’t wanted or had the courage to throw out?