1 March 2001

'All the women in my family are strong people, probably stronger than the men in a lot of ways (though isn't that true of most women?) In my generation I have cousins who kick-box (when taking a break from winning poetry recitals). I have a 100-year old great-grandmother now living in New York who still goes shopping in the markets. My paternal grandmother goes swimming early every morning in Hong Kong and would put many City businessmen to shame with her steely commercial acumen.

My maternal grandmother was one of the most generous people I ever met, even now two years after she was taken from us by cancer, I still feel her presence. My own mother continues to amaze me with her displays of persistence, love and stubbornness; she still has the spring of a teenager. I doubt any will have any regrets about not having lived their lives on their own terms.'