Sometimes it is so hard to write. I’ve been telling you my stories, my fears and my triumphs for over 20 years. I’ve always told it as it is. I want to be positive and I want to bring you good news. I want people to know there is a way forward. But I will also be honest and real.

So let me recap, I was ready for surgery in London to get the tumour removed from under my arm. I was strong and we were organised. My brother Conor and his family were going to be my back-up there. Tim would be by my side. He had everything booked.

Then, suddenly everything changed. Dr Deirdre, my oncologist, was on the phone. ‘Katherine, there is a snow shower across your lungs’. I like snow. I could feel the flakes falling, imagine the flurry, the purity of it, the softness, the silence. The analogy jarred.

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I stood at the top of the drive, the phone to my ear. I started to walk in small circles. I didn’t know how to process the news. Of course, I knew this was a possibility, yet I believed that I deserved the window of opportunity to rid myself of the nasty tumour. My family deserved to be able to breathe easy, to see snow for what it is.

Back into Tim I went. We grounded ourselves again. We would meet Deirdre to discuss a new plan. But I’ll admit, I was agitated. There was no denying the tumour under my arm – it was getting sore.

The essence of life is sharing work, pleasure and time with family and friends

We were due to fly to London on 3 January. And in light of the fact it wouldn’t happen, I knew the day would be horrendous. I made a bold suggestion. “Tim, let’s have a dinner party on the 3rd.” “Right”, he says, “we will – but you’re not cooking. I’ll do the market!” We invited seven friends to add to the three of us. We know each other of old. We thought 10 would be a nice number around the kitchen table. Diarmuid was happy to be the waiter.

So instead of feeling sad, we embraced friendship, good food and the joys of the season. Tim announced that we even had a world exclusive launch. Tim loves the English Market with all the artisan food it has to offer. Even more than his love of the market is his delight in telling his guests where he got everything and possibly how it is made as well.

Say cheese...

Knockanore Cheese has started to make mozzarella from cow’s milk. The product was just ready to launch and Eamonn, Patricia and their son Edward had given us a few balls to try. Tim dressed it up Caprese style, with juicy vine tomatoes, basil leaves, pesto and Wildwood (thick consistency) balsamic vinegar. We gave Knockanore mozzarella a fine launch on our kitchen table and I know that it will often be there again.

The morning after dawned crisp and icy. Two of us headed off for a morning walk. I filled my lungs with clean Woodside air. Once around the house, we realised the folly of our ways. The drive was like a sheet of glass. We were committed and knew we couldn’t return to the house and admitted defeat.

We moved cagily, nothing to do with age of course, just being careful. We found safety underfoot in the crunchy grass of the fields and had a gorgeous walk. We returned with ruddy cheeks and good feelings about the year ahead. The morning after dawned wet and miserable. There would have been no chance of a walk.

Life and living is about seizing the moment and being absolutely present for it. I will choose friendship, sharing and doing all of the time. It beats being miserable.

The essence of life is sharing work, pleasure and time with family and friends.