My best mate since I was seven years old texted me last Friday from Ireland asking me to call him. This type of request is never good news and sure enough it was not. His father Terry had recently been diagnosed with cancer and although last week they were discussing treatment, today he was told he had a week or so to live. Arrangements for a hospice or a home visit had already begun and Karl felt that I should know. It was a bit of a shock, there is so little you can actually do when news like this filters through from home. Karl and I chatted for about 30 minutes, mostly about our time growing up together and the adventures we had on the housing estate. I forgot how good it was to connect with my old friends from home. The laughter comes so easy and it feels…