I didn’t start out intending to write a book, but after the tragic death of my second child, I was left childless, bereft, and hopeless. Writing was one of my therapies; words tumbled out onto the page. Sometimes poems; sometimes reflections; sometimes desperately reaching out for hope. I was in a dark place, and some of my journal writings were too dark to see the light of day. But as time passed, I found writing was helping me to cope with the agony of my grief, and that the content itself had glimmers of hope.
My book, A Valley Journal, came out of that. I can’t remember at what stage I felt that these writings, with some adjustments, could be useful for others, but once the idea took shape, it was another stage in my journey. Helping others is one way of saving my sanity, and finding a reason to keep breathing.
I had pretty much finished the draft by the end of 2012, less than 2 years after Catherine’s death. Then started the search for a publisher, or possibly deciding to go it alone. I’ve had some stops and starts, but what I want most of all is to see the book circulating, helping, supporting.
You see, it’s not exactly my journal. The idea is to help you write yours. To help you find your breath, find your footsteps, as you too travel through the agony of grief.
"Onwards and Upwards" is a small British publisher that has taken on this project. The first edition will be printed in paperback and e-book formats, available directly from me via my website www.abi.mayihelp.co.uk and also available from www.amazon.com
More news coming soon
