Without a mum to share the day I never expected wonderful today. Then this happened . . .
Maybe it’s fitting that it’s mothers’ day, because what I’m about to share with you involves a mother who loves her son.
It’s been a strange few days here in the caravan park knowing there are about five people currently reading Season of Shadow and Light. I walk by their site and see their heads bent over the book. Sometimes they look up, wave and call out what bit they’re up to.
‘Definitely weird’ as little Matilda in the story would say!
I’ve had some terrific online feedback and read wonderful reviewer comments about this novel, but I’m afraid nothing will ever compare to what just happened.
One of those readers in the park came over to our van. She wanted to tell me how much she enjoyed the story. More importantly she wanted a way to thank me for telling Alice’s story.
She said, “It’s not much. It’s only small.” Then she handed me this pin.
You see this reader has a gay son and for twenty-three years she’s fought for him, protected him and loved him. She talked about the challenges, the battles, the difficulties, and she told me about the poems she would write that had once helped her and others around her, bringing greater understanding and acceptance.
Times have changed (there’s still a long way to go) so she’s fighting still, using her words in letters to politicians and helping to end bigotry and bullying in schools.
This pin might look small, but it is huge and I am overwhelmed with pride right now and so touched.
