Sisters
Life is weird isn’t it? One minute you’re sending a newsletter telling people what you’ve been watching on telly, the next your sister has died and the world as you know it has changed forever.
I’m taking a pause from writing this newsletter because life at the moment doesn’t feel quite right. Leyla always used to read Nesting before it went out. There was nobody who edited quite like her. “This sentence makes me want to punch you,” she’d say, poker-faced. “That paragraph makes you sound like a nob.” She was usually right.
Without her in my life or on the page, Nesting feels overly flippant and far too much fun, at least for now. She’d kill me if I stopped writing it because of her, so I won’t. But I will take a break while I get back on track.
Brothers
There’s a second reason to take a pause, too. My new baby boy – Milo – arrived on March 7th, innocent proof of the circle of life and a breath of fresh air for the whole family. Most importantly, he’s a precious sibling for Rafferty who is taking his new role very seriously.
So, it really has been the best of times, and the worst of times (just call me Dickens). My brain isn’t sure where to land just yet, but I do know that it will land eventually – and life will go on. I also know that life will look and feel very different – so I’ll meet you there, in that slightly out-of-focus future.
I’ll be pausing all payments until I’m back up-and-running again. This means that billing cycles for all paid subscribers will be frozen. New readers will not be able to pay, and existing subscribers won't be charged.
In the meantime, Leyla left details of Annabelle’s Challenge, the UK’s leading charity for her genetic condition – vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome – if you feel you would like to make a donation.
Have a good spring, everyone. I’ll see you in the summer.
Dx
Who is Dominique Afacan?
A very good question. Dominique (that’s me) is a writer, solo mum and sausage dog slave based in London. The idea for the Nesting newsletter came about because after ten years of flitting around the world as a travel journalist, I wanted to share my new-found excitement about hanging out at home. I am also the author of Bolder – Life lessons from people older and wiser than you – a great birthday present, if I don’t say so myself – and available to buy here.
P.S The illustration for Nesting was created by my exceptionally talented friend Julia Murray in New Zealand.
You’re very wise to take a break hun - knowing that we’ll be there when you feel like writing again… and you well as you know Leyla would want you to (she’ll probably send you a sign from above..)
Sending you loads of love xxx
Oh Dominique. Of course you know the movie Truly Madly Deeply. It has seen me through such loss and sorrow and here the birth of a child brings everyone New Life. You are a channel right now for the Great Chain of Being, my love. You are wise to pause and simply let these energies flow through you. Your children are beautiful. And your sister will always be with you. As the saying goes, Death ends a life but not a relationship. Sending prayers your way.