A Little Birdy
My post CBC blog has gone AWOL!!!
But for those of you who don't know, my novel The Story of Tom Brennan won book of the year, older readers and it was very, very exciting! Thank you to everyone who has emailed me such warm wishes.
It's strange when something big like this happens in your life, you often think about the people you love who aren't around to share it. Well I do. So winning the CBC award has made me think alot about my mum (who's been dead a long time) and how I wish she was around on Friday to help me celebrate. My mother always bought the CBC Books of the year. She was a journalist, a poet and an avid reader. I get all philisophical and wonder wherever she is, does she know?
This morning I was having a walk along Bilgola beach. It was really cold and there was no one around. I was trying to remember a story someone told me once about a butterfly that flew into their room and they thought it may have been their mum who had died. I was trying really hard to recall the details of the story and I was also wishing something like that would happen to me one day.
Suddenly I spotted something up ahead, something that looked like little black dots. Then I realised they were moving and that they were birds. Tiny weenie black birds, about thirty of them. They started to fly around me, then in front of me forming a line. It was almost as if they were dancing.
I have never seen these birds at the beach before. They looked like they belonged in the English countryside. Then I realised they were the type of bird I have on a brooch my mother gave me when I was a little girl. I followed the birds or maybe they followed me and then just like that they flew away.
Yeah sure, i know you're about to call the men in white jackets to come and take me away. But today I'm going to believe that they weren't just any old birds, they were special birds. There, just for me.
Thanks for sharing your story here. My mother had an experience just like that too, on the morning of her own mother's funeral, like a light in the corner of the room that calmed her and made her strong. I think these things come when we really need them.
I like your blogging here, and congratulations on your award *g*
Congratulations JC - a tremendous honour for you. My friend's mother died very unexpectedly last Saturday and I will share your story with her. It's a comfort to know those we love are somehow aware in those moments when we need them most. She would have been very proud of your success - her daughter, the winner of the CBCA award for YA. Delwyne
Dear JC,
Thank you for sharing the moment with the birds.I too had a similar, wonderful moment with my mother.
