The beginning of The Memory of Chiffon

So this is the start of the journey and it is right that it is today. Five years ago on the 29th July, my mother who had been suffering with Alzheimer's for almost 15 years, was given a bed bath by her carer while I sat stroking her hair and telling her she was beautiful and loved, when she closed her eyes and stopped breathing.

A year ago, I started working on my new novel entitled ‘The Memory of Chiffon’, in honour of my mother. A story of family and travel, of mythical creatures and wonder, a story of heartbreak and Alzheimer's, of loss and love. And a story of memories and baking. I am now working on chapter five, and as I write things comes up. Things I believe I should share because it may matter to someone who finds some solace from the suffering that Alzheimer's brings. It may help, it may hurt, it may humour. Because if there’s anything that loving someone with Alzheimer's taught me, it was how to find humor and joy in the middle of heartbreak. I thank you for sharing what I know is going to be an amazing journey, for me, and one of the most important things I’ve ever done with my life.