'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Christmas teaser for Where is Robin?, a children's picture book on the United States written by Robin Barone and illustrated by myself.

Wishing you and your loved ones a fantastic Christmas! Stay safe on the roads!

Gone, But Not Forgotten

So as you can tell, I've been phenomenally busy, so busy that I'm sure my blog is starting to collect cobwebs and breed a new type of spider due to my neglect. But I am back again, clearing away the cobwebs and hopefully will get around to posting far more frequently (definitely one of my New Year's resolutions, along with climbing Lion's Head before this year ends).

In between the busyness I've often been thinking a lot about loved ones I lost early this year. I haven't mentioned them as yet here as I felt too raw at the time to speak about it. Early this year I lost my aunt, the last relative on my mom's side of the family. Every time the phone rings I think it's her calling but then I remember she's gone. Every time I see a ridiculously cute cat or dog photo, or Turkish Delight I immediately think of her. I'm still in shock that she's gone. 

We also lost a close family friend - one of my best friends' gran also passed away early this year. She lived around the corner from us. She was such a loving woman; both my grans passed away when I was still young so she felt like a gran to me. This morning my mom happened to show me a bunch of memorial service pamphlets that we'd kept and hers was one of them. I keep thinking she still lives around the corner, but I know she's not there anymore.

I'm at a loss to say words that sum up and describe these wonderful and amazing ladies that used to be in my life. One day when I'm feeling more ready, I will share more about them, but for now, let this serve as a tribute to their beautiful lives. Gone, but not forgotten.