Confidence

 Confidence ... musing about confidence and how to boost someone else's. I drove the car to Park Island (roughly 2kms away) and Geoff said did I want him to fetch me. I said no, do you think you could drive? And he said: "No. No, I don't think so, because I've fainted without any warning. I'm just worried I'll faint."

 I didn't know what to say. I could have said, you're right, you could well faint. You'd better not drive anymore. That's what I wanted to say. But then I thought, Sister Anne said he fainted because he wasn't eating properly at the hospital. He's been eating well  now that he's back home, and even though he's felt a little wobbly every now and then he hasn't fainted again. On the other hand, I didn't want to say, of course you won't faint. So I just said nothing. But I was thinking about his confidence all the same. Yesterday he wanted to walk a little further than I would have liked. I was with him, and I got him to turn back after about 10 houses down the road. Later he walked to Windermere Road and back by himself. I particularly decided not to go with him, because I realised I actually sap his confidence by being next to him and having an opinion about how far he should walk. And I thought of Jeremy, and his letting Helen lean over to the fireman's pole and sliding down it, without him being within reach. He just said to her that he knew she could do it. Compared to me, wanting to put the walker in the car in case he needed it. I'm quite good at boosting Elspeth's confidence in her driving. I tell her she's a bloody good driver and not to worry. Why can't I do the same to Geoff? (I walked back from dropping the car at Park Island).