My immediate reaction to this prompt was ‘I can’t actually remember ever receiving one’. Disappointing. So, a little more consideration was required. The obvious starting point being what kind of things have I been doing with my time that might cause people to compliment me?

Over the years I have played a lot of football and taken part in a lot of runs, all at a distinctly average standard. Other than the very occasional ‘good goal’ or ‘well run…..for you’ there’s nothing that really stands out. Back to the drawing board.

Working life started steering me closer to an answer. Professionally I have had a career in information technology. Nobody ever really says ‘fantastic computer programme’ or ‘you’ve got a wonderfully organised database’ in reality though. In retirement however I have volunteered at various charity shops and a few customers have been kind enough to say ‘I think you’re doing a fantastic thing’.

Ultimately though (as is often the case) it was family who provided the answer. Although my children occasionally complement me, I’m never quite sure if that isn’t more to do with helping them out of financial situations! Recently though my mum, who is now 88 and reminisces more and more about the past said ‘you’re the best thing that ever happened to me’. Which I thought was lovely. Better still I’m an only child so no one can be offended by it!