Hi all - it's been a while since I posted but since so many of you were supportive when my mum released her first literary work last year, I wanted to give you an update.
The last 10 months have been quite brutal for her and the whole family. After her husband (my stepdad) died last January, her health (which was already declining) deteriorated rapidly.
By September she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Stroke Disease - and by December she had to move into full-time care.
I'm sure many of you have had similar experiences with parents and know how bizarre it is to grieve for the loss of somebody whilst they're still alive. Nothing can prepare you for the day your mum forgets who you are.
Despite everything, I still talk to her about how well-received her writing was last year and, due to the memory loss, she seems to be surprised anew on each occasion I show her that her work found an audience. There's something strangely magical in that.
I've just started to get some time back to focus on creative work, but with everything that's been going on I've chosen to cancel my trip to NFTNYC, where I was due to be speaking on the main stage - gutted!
I hope to be back sharing work and completing projects that are up in the air soon - until then, thanks for giving my mum something to smile about during a really difficult year.