One of the interesting by-products of writing a novel is that people you’ve not seen in a while get back in touch with you. For example, a long time ago I used to work for Australian Red Cross. And last Thursday night I was invited to my old stomping ground, as a guest speaker at a ‘Red Threads’ fundraiser.
If you’re not familiar with Red Threads, it’s a fabulous social enterprise operating out of 390 Street Oxford Street Paddington (Sydney), stocking vintage and new clothing for Gorgeous Women who Care about the World.
It was great to be back in the company of Red Crossers like the lovely Lynne Stockdale (Regional Operations Manager, Australian Red Cross NSW) after more than a decade since departing that fine organisation. And it was thoroughly civilised to find myself sipping champagne and speaking with adults at 6.30pm on a weeknight.
Other recent diversions from home duties have included emails from an old university friend, a former work colleague, an ex-boyfriend (friendly) and even some primary school mates. That’s right, I’ve had the pleasure of contact from people who last saw me wearing knee-high socks… ah, the power of social media. It’s something this mother-of-three isn’t terribly familiar with, but just quietly, I’m having a blast.
I’m especially enjoying the stories of people I’ve never met, who have made contact through this web site, in response to The Mothers’ Group. Thank you all… and keep them coming!
HI Fiona, I am just writing to say how much I really enjoyed reading your books. I am currently a stay home mum who had 3 kids in 4 years. I had a career in Horticultural Pathology before being a mum and put my working days on hold while I raised the kids and my husband began a new business with a partner selling lazer products. Hence I spent many days at home with the kids wiht little help while my husband was away on work trips. All worth it as the business is now thriving after riding through GFC. I now have 3 kids at school and face the challenge of reentering the working world something that in this day and age today scares me. My priority were my kids hence making time for me again is daunting in a world where most mums continue to work. In saying that I have kept busy with much volunteer work, mostly involving the kids activites, since being home with them.
It was my mother in law who showed me The Mothers Group book from the library as I did run a mothers group once hence she thought I might be interested. Unfortunately the mothers group fell apart once most mums in the group went back to work.
However I just wanted to say thanks to you as I am not a big reader myself but I picked up the mothers group book and like the sticker said on the front cover I couldn’t out it down. Hence I then quickly got a copy of your other book from the library and again become a book worm with your personal story. I really enjoyed both books; the stories and the way you wrote them. I like reading but I rarely become obbsessed with sticking my nose in a book as I did with your novels.
Thank you and I really do hope between all your commitments and being a mum (the hardest full job ever – I totally understand) that you do find time to write more books. I too am amazed at how much you have already fitted into your life. I am not a great whiz with this electronic world either I understand your views on this site however – wow you are very inspirational with the amount of great acheivements you have already attained in your life. I feel lke my days are overfull now yet there are so many poelpe like yourself who fit in much more in a day. Good luck with any future goals in your life and thank you for writing such enjoyable books esp your own Australian story that was such a brave thing to do. Not sure what that says about me but your own story was fascinating. Cheers Robyn McMahon from Adelaide Australia.
Thanks for getting in touch Robyn, your comments made my day! Always lovely to hear from satisfied readers. Good luck to you, particularly on the paid-work front… always a bit scary picking up where you left off, but I’m sure you’ll manage it. Best, Fiona