Writing my mom's memoir has been a transformative journey. Here are three things I didn't anticipate when I started my journey to becoming an author: 

 

Time Takes on a Different Meaning: Contrary to my initial belief that writing required long, uninterrupted hours in a dedicated space, I discovered that writing can happen anywhere, even in the car. The process isn't confined to a candle-lit office for seven hours a day; instead, it weaves into the fabric of everyday life just as my mom's presence is intricately entwined within me. 

 

Compassion Beyond Roles: Exploring my mom's life through interviews with friends and family has unveiled a profound understanding that surpasses the dynamics of our relationship as I knew it during her lifetime. I'm learning intimately about her as a person, separate from the role of my mom. This newfound perspective has given me greater compassion for her journey through life and her unexpected mental illness leading up to her death.

 

Healing Through Words: While I expected the emotional toll of revisiting painful memories, I didn't anticipate the profound healing that would accompany it. Crafting my mom's story has brought me back to life in a new incarnation, providing a form of closure through understanding.