JUNE ’24

ANOTHER LAP AROUND THE SUN

June has been a month of extreme emotion. It started with the death of a greatly loved member of the family and ended with birthday celebrations and books finally being published. Such, it seems, is life.

The death of my mother-in-law rocked the family. She was adored by her extended family and the process of saying goodbye was an emotional one. It was clear as she was finally farewelled just how important her role was in everybody’s lives. The verse that my husband and I read at her service sums it up well:

Your mother is always with you. She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street. She’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself. She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well. She’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep., the colors of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning. Your mother lives inside your laughter. She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you, not time, not space… not even death. Unknown.

This verse sums up the breadth of a mother’s love and the enormity of their impact on the lives of their children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren.

One of the most vibrant rainbows I have ever seen appeared a few days ago. I shall think of Joan, and her vibrant life, with each rainbow that comes my way.

At the other end of the emotional spectrum was the celebration of my birthday and the outpouring of love from those around me. I spent the day doing all the things I love.

And finally, FINALLY, the second edition of Ariadne is available and Addy is up for pre-purchase until 17 July when it too will be available. It feels like it has taken forever to get to this point.

I’m super excited about getting back into Alex to prepare it for proofreading and in the background, the plot for Angel has been taking shape. Full steam ahead!