Hi, I want to offer my apologies for my absence most of this calendar year. Its been a hell of a year so far, but that’s about to change. I’m looking toward spring with greater anticipation.

http://www.anneashby.com/focus-on-southland/

Early in the new year, after we had spent such an enjoyable holiday in Southland, my older sister phoned with devastating news. She had pancreatic cancer. I immediately offered to help, in any way she needed. But shortly after this, and before I could fly to see her, I tripped in the garden and busted my shoulder. The surgeon and anyone else who viewed the xray suggested I’d done a pretty good job of mangling it. My trip south was cancelled for some weeks. Thankfully, Air New Zealand were amazing. I had an open ticket for 12 months.

When able to travel, I headed south and spent over two months with my sister and her husband. An accountant, she struggled to finalise accounts for her many clients while dealing with her illness. I became chief cook and bottle washer as well as chauffeur, office administrator and general dogsbody.

While she coped well with chemo I returned home. But it was only a month before the family summoned me back as her health deteriorated.

I’ll always be thankful for the time I had to share with her, especially over her last weeks when I was with her practically 24/7. At her celebration of life, I mentioned it might have taken 66 years, but finally the little sister took charge. And Janet actually listened.

I haven’t had time to miss writing. Only when I thought of my website and social media platforms did I cringe, knowing I’d absented myself without explanation. But I hope my apologies and this explanation will hold me in good stead. My enthusiasm for writing has already returned, thanks to this month’s Romance Writers of NZ meeting. I have determined where I’m heading with my current story and I’m looking forward to beginning work on it again tomorrow. A new book out in the New Year? Fingers crossed.