I realize that it was tough for everyone... 365 days filled with tragedy and death.
In the space of a few months, my family was devastated by four horrible deaths that destroyed our world.
A great grandmother who had passed the 100 year mark with ease was finally at peace. She was an amazing woman, strong, smart and wickedly clever. We were all better off for knowing her. A long life, well lived. A proud member of the old generation of stout folk who lived through the worst that humanity could muster. She came through it with character and style. We loved Momo with all our hearts. She is missed.
A few months later her daughter was taken from us by a fast moving illness. It came out of the blue and was as tragic as it was quick. She left us with little warning, creating a vacuum of love that had once been her. We were stunned. We were shattered. It is a wound that we won't ever recover from. Some people are such a part of your heart that you will .
A few months later, Momo's son lost his battle with cancer. Uncle Pat was ripped from us. He was a real man of honor. Stoically he told few about his cancer and less about how bad it was. He was old country Italian tough. Firm hand shake and look you right in the eye and ask how you were doing. It wasn't a polite conversation opener.. He really wanted to know. Much respect and love for that man.
An amazing mother and both her children dead in the space of mere months.
And there was my father...
My hero.
It's impossible for me to put down words to convey what he meant to me. It's not often that a writer is at a loss for words... But sometimes words are just not enough. He was an inventor, a writer, a jack of all trades and master of most of them. He was married to his bride of 50 years, started a successful business, created an entire industry and was well liked and respected by everyone he met. Dad had a wicked sense of humor, and you needed to pay attention or you would miss the depth of his wit.
He and I shared a deep love of reading and I spent his final days, at his side in the hospital, reading from his favorite author (Robert A. Heinlein) and books. As he was deeply sedated I read from Stranger in a Strange land, Time enough for Love in between playing songs from Janice Joplin for him.
I held his hand as he took his final breath in this world.
He quietly passed into legend on March 21st.
I shattered. We all did.
A long bender followed. And after a vow for a life change that is proceeding nicely, than you very much. I have always been close to my mother and after Dad's passing I have grown so much closer. I have found in my mother what others have already known, a devastating smart woman, full of more strength than I ever thought a person could have. I have also found one of the best friends in my life.
Seems a good thing to take out of tragedy.
So, finally, that brings us around to my goblins...
Now, perhaps you understand why I haven't been able to write for nearly a year. My mind and heart were broken and it took quite a long time to put them back together. Something broken can never be put back together the same way again...
But!
I have started writing again. The boys have began to jabber once more into my ear, making it near impossible to get sleep. I have finished out the entire book 1 and have began 3 others. With a new heart and a new eye I have made many changes to the series.
1. All stories are in a shared world called "The Tales From The Overlands".
2. Goblin grunt is re titled The Red Cap Saga Vol. 1 Goblin Scout. Volume 2 is underway currently.
3. New cover art, by yours truly, has been started.
4. I am not going to stop writing.
I thank you all for your patience and you will be hearing much much more from me very soon.
M.E.Hearrold II
My hero.
