Welcome back readers, after what I hope was a very happy Christmas for you all! Surprisingly, my nest is looking quite spacious, since a six foot Nordic pine was extracted from the front room, and as I embark on a de-clutter amongst the twigs and debris of 2012, I feel an optimism creep into the nest, energising me to meet the challenges of the new year head-on.
During 2012, you may be aware, I completed the travel memoir of my French adventure. Since then the manuscript has been with my son, Richard, who in his capacity as a proof reader has just finished the lengthy process, returning it to me for my amendments. I would love to take a moment to share with you how Richard's involvement, besides being useful to me, has had an interesting knock on side-effect...
Like all adult children, having flown the nest, his opinion of mum would be something seldom pondered upon, except perhaps to acknowledge in passing my reasonable efficiency as a mother and home maker. The years I spent in France would certainly have passed him by in a bit of a blur, whilst during this time he was engrossed, rightly so, in the important business of establishing an independent life for himself and his new wife.
Proofreading the book, therefore, has allowed Richard an insight into his mother's life and thinking, that would otherwise have been unavailable to him and the lovely and surprising outcome has somehow enriched our relationship. Through the book he has come to see me not only as a mother, but as some one who has taken on an amazing adventure, the story of which, for him, has been a really interesting read, providing him with the opportunity to get to know me as a woman, as well as a mother. We now share a healthy respect for each other as people, and a phone call recently, during which he expressed his admiration for me as a writer, is one of those moments I will treasure for the rest of my life!
So, as I embark on the arduous task of finding a publisher for my book in 2013, I draw on the 'Joie de vivre' my passion for France has instilled in me and throughout the remaining long dark days of winter, I will share with you more of my French adventures, from the comfort of my spacious 'empty nest'.
Proofreading the book, therefore, has allowed Richard an insight into his mother's life and thinking, that would otherwise have been unavailable to him and the lovely and surprising outcome has somehow enriched our relationship. Through the book he has come to see me not only as a mother, but as some one who has taken on an amazing adventure, the story of which, for him, has been a really interesting read, providing him with the opportunity to get to know me as a woman, as well as a mother. We now share a healthy respect for each other as people, and a phone call recently, during which he expressed his admiration for me as a writer, is one of those moments I will treasure for the rest of my life!So, as I embark on the arduous task of finding a publisher for my book in 2013, I draw on the 'Joie de vivre' my passion for France has instilled in me and throughout the remaining long dark days of winter, I will share with you more of my French adventures, from the comfort of my spacious 'empty nest'.
Hi I just found your blog on twitter.I too have an empty nest and a tear came to my eye when I read about your son reading your book.I may have to resort to doing the same as my son never asks me what goes on in my life ,as far as he is concerned I am at home all day everyday he hasn't a clue.One day when I'm no longer here I hope he will read my blog and realise that I have a life and I'm sometimes funny. It will be too late then.
ReplyDeleteHi Anne I am so glad you enjoyed the blog. I understand totally how you would love to make that connection with your son, up until Richard read the book I felt the same. Don't give up, hopefully he will read your blog someday soon and get to know the woman behind the lovely
Deletefunny lady he calls Mum!