Recorded and aired on BBC Radio Kent – Thursday 17^th Sept 2020.
(Click on the photo)

My Dearest One,

I have loved you from afar, and yet, I never thought to tell you how I feel until now.

Thanks to you, I was born to realise my dreams. Storytelling is in my blood, part of my Irishness, and inherited ancestry.

Thanks to you, writing has been my passion for 35 years –You remain my trusted friend, who motivates me to carry on, no matter what.

You never waiver in nourishing my need to write and be inspired.

You never falter in the belief that I can write, tell stories and speak from the heart.

The words flow as I piece them together like a jigsaw and eventually, a picture appears. The story has evolved and makes sense.

You have encouraged me to write and share my passion, with the world.

Thanks to you, writing is part of who I am, where I have come from, and, where I am heading.

You are my guiding light even on those oh so testing days.

No matter how I am feeling or what is happening around me, you never leave my side. Daily you sit on my shoulder, and whisper, “You are. You can, and You will, find a way to tell your stories. 

When I falter and pull away, your love and compassion never wanes, as you encourage me to try again.

For this is what I do. I write to heal. I write to share. I write to touch readers who are willing to come on the journey with me.

Many years ago, when life no longer worked, I moved countries. Finally, I turned my life around, and felt able to rekindle my passion. And you, welcomed me home; unlocked my imagination again, and gave me back my voice.

And, thanks to your ongoing belief in me, six years ago, I finally stopped hiding behind a pen name, one I had held onto for twenty years.

I stepped into a bright light and started to write in my name. Oh, the confidence I am now able to share through my words.

There is not a day goes by, when and I am not writing, editing, reading or thinking about writing.

I treasure the gift you have bestowed on me.

The writing fire lies deep within my heart, all the way down, and into my soul. With your help, this fire will never burn out.

Know that I love you, and I always will.

When nothing else seems to matter, you matter. Words and sharing stories will always matter.