Thank Funk for My Best Friend Clunk!

Sally Mitchell - 3 Apr 17

Thank Funk for My Best Friend Clunk

I have this best friend Clunk, she is tall and very funny. She lives over nine and a half thousand miles away. Yes you read it right. I live in Derbyshire she lives in Australia and we met at tennis club when we were 10. We’ve both hit 40 in the last 6 months and our friendship is closer than ever.

You see Clunk is my soul sister, she lights up a room when she walks in and she makes friends where ever she goes. This picture is on a retreat she went on this weekend in Australia for her 40th Birthday. I had an idea to treat her for her birthday, then I messaged a couple of her friends in Australia and they got in touch with all her friends over there and I got in touch with her all her friends over here and we clubbed together to buy her a yoga weekend for her birthday.

Two days before she was meant to go, it got cancelled. Frantic messages between me and her friend over there and we managed to find a replacement a day before we surprised her with it. Her friend said the only place left is one when she shares a room with two other people she won’t know. Did we worry? No. I think they would have joined the retreat as strangers and left as friends.

You see you could say Clunk is an ordinary girl from an ordinary town. She grew up on a normal estate, we went to a normal comprehensive school together. I was thrilled when she was in my class and yes we were quite studious and just a little bit geeky. Lots of boys fancied her of course because she is beautiful, but as we grew older, I just knew she was just as beautiful on the inside as the out.

We went to different Universities but from the age of 18 we never lived in the same place again. We both went off and got our ” graduate jobs” and got on with life but we always always remained best friends. When I had my children, those times when night rolled into day and tears rolled down my face, I’d get a little text from Clunk, you ok Salad? (she’s Clunk, I’m Salad, don’t ask ;)) She seemed to just know when it was hard, she’d send her mum round with some flowers or some fizz. When I was mentally tired, she’d carry me through. When she was mentally tired I’d carry her too. She is a mummy too now and she said to me once ” Salad I didn’t realise how exhausting it was for you when your girls were small and now I know what it’s like, was I there for you enough?” Clunk you were always there and you will always be there. You don’t have to be in the same town or same country to be present. You have always been there and you are always right at the front of my mind and right down deep in my heart.

She’s the fairy god mummy (as we call her) to my biggest daughter. When letters or parcels arrive from Australia, she’ll cut the stamps off and save them in her memory box ” because they’re from Aunty Clunk”.

We’ve both had tough times over the last year or so, but we are getting through them together. The time difference means we have to plan in video calls at funny times of the day, but we always make sure we keep in touch. Sometimes I feel like a little kid, who’s best friend has moved away and I feel sad. Sometimes I feel envious of her mates out there who get to spend more time with her but never jealous because their lives involve Clunk too and I’m happy for that. When I arranged the retreat it was amazing how many people put their hand up and asked to contribute. It was heartwarming to see our shared love of this beautiful woman. She makes the most of everything in her life, she is the most amazing mummy to her children and she is pursuing her dreams. She has recently trained as a Children’s Yoga teacher and now teaches yoga and mindfulness to kids in and around Melbourne where she lives. In a crazy chaotic world, where we all need to slow down and show our kids the best examples she is like inspiration for the soul. She inspired me to set up my memory boxes business, five years ago when my girls were really small because she believed in me. My business is part named after my girls and part after Clunk.

Now it is my turn. We believe in you Clunk. Keep going, keep being you. I think everyone needs a Clunk in their life and I’m so proud to call her my best friend, but I’m happy to share!!

Sally Mitchell

Sally Mitchell is 40 years old living in Deepest Derbyshire. A mummy of two little girls, wifey to her dishy hubby (wit woo) puppy tamer of their bouncy dog Otto and runs a small creative business making bespoke memory boxes. Can be seen running around the woods where she lives, part trying to get fit part trying to train said bouncy Otto dog.

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