Author Description

Barely two years old in the 1970s, the author’s mother succumbed to a sudden illness. Raised by a loving aunt and uncle, the author shares her journey of survival in the real world and how a mother’s love transcends death and the afterlife. While stories of cancer survivors often focus on the individuals themselves, this heartfelt narrative shines a light on the family left behind, particularly the baby whose mother’s absence shaped her life. Living in Flora is a poignant collection of prose and poetry, revealing the author’s path to healing through nature, music, and flowers. Inspired by the changing seasons, she found strength to confront not only the imaginary monsters beneath her bed but also the real ones life presented. In the still and melancholic hours of the day, she often felt her mother’s gentle presence, guiding and illuminating her journey through life, inspiring hope even in the face of profound loss.