On Thursday 8 September 2022 I was, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, saddened to learn of the passing away of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. May His Majesty King Charles III and his family find comfort in this time of grief and sadness.
The loss of HM The Queen is but the most recent source of grief to me personally. It is difficult for me to believe that only a few months ago I was looking forward to the release of my latest book, Nocturnal Truths. The release of a new book is always an achievement that I love to celebrate with you, my readers. I had intended that the release of Nocturnal truths would lead naturally to the celebration of my being five years a published author. This, however, was not to be. In the middle of July this year, my elderly father took a fall and landed in hospital. Where he would pass away on 24 July 2022 just six days before his ninety-fourth birthday. Thus all thoughts of celebration of my personal achievements gave way to personal grief and that of my family. Therefore I sit here in a state of double grief – personal grief for my father and part of the collective national grief that our great country feels for our late Sovereign.
I have been told that there is no right or wrong way to grieve and that is true. I feel very privileged in that I was a full-time carer for my father before his death. However, no matter how much one knows that death is coming, it is always a shock when you lose someone who held a place in your heart, no matter who it is that has passed away, or under what circumstances. I have found much comfort in continuing my writing during this difficult time and will soon resume normality. Whatever my new normal looks like, let me assure you that I will be continuing to produce more stories. I have many more to tell. I look forward to whatever the future brings.
