Rosemary Loch Osborne

Rosemary was only 26 years old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.  What the Big C didn't know about my cousin was that she was a fighter with an indomitable strength of spirit.  She had absolutely no intention of letting that disease have it's easy way with her. She had far too much life to live. 

Defying death sentence after death sentence in the 28 years she fought her disease, Rosemary married her lovely husband Julian, had her beautiful daughter Jayne, holidayed with her family around the world, enjoyed a good glass of red and smoked her cigarettes.  Never once did she feel sorry for herself that I saw and I remember her saying to me on one of my visits home "Karen, it's always so much worse for everyone else than it is for me the cancer patient, because I know what it feels like, they don't." 

Rosemary and Fiona

For purely geographical reasons, I have not had a lot to do with my cousins but there was always a close connection with Rosemary and her wee sister Fiona despite the miles. Whenever I revisited Scotland I always made the effort to catch up with these girls and enjoyed a very warm welcome with lots of laughs and chat about our families when we were kids. I have great memories of childhood times visiting my Aunt's and my favourite memory of Rosemary teaching my sisters and I how to disco dance!  

She was extremely pretty, fabulously fashionable, could dance Pans People under the table and was a right royal rebel at heart!  I used to look up to her in awe, wishing that I had her confidence, beauty and style - as all 12 year olds do when seeing their 16 year old cousin dancing to Top of the Pops, talking about boys and sneaking out the back for a smoke!!! All reasons I loved when Rosemary would come to babysit at our place. 

In the last few years Rosemary's illness started to take a hold but more seriously so in the past couple of years.  I am amazed at the strength and grace with which Rosemary lived her life and fought to the very end. I feel a deep sense of sadness for those left behind, Julian, Jayne, Fiona, Matthew, Michael and the rest of her family. 

I know that Rosemary is at peace now and is with her Mum and Dad, her Uncle George (my dad) and our Granny.  I believe heaven is rejoicing today as a beautiful, strong angel reunites with family that has gone before her.

Rosemary

Rest In Peace Rosemary Loch Osborne  

22 August 1959 - 9 April 2014

My Writing Process - Very First Blog Tour

I was invited to be a part of my very first blog tour by the amazing Lisa Kirchner: an author, storyteller and yogi residing in New York.  Lisa’s stimulating stories, sharp wit and phenomenal way with words tell an inspirational journey of vision and courage that all women need to hear. You also need to read Lisa’s first book, a memoire entitled Hello American Lady Creature, What I learned as a Woman in Qatar, which will be available on 31 May 2014. To check out Lisa’s answers to the blog tour click here and to check out her website click www.lisalkirchner.com.  Thanks Lisa!

My Writing Process

What am I working on?

I’m working on further developing an online healing space via my blog A Compulsive Story for those who suffer from eating disorders and planning to publish a book about my life’s journey with the disease of compulsive overeating. In the world of work, I am currently working on a new Website for Valued Lives and getting ready to launch SCRIBE Online in the coming months.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I think every single writer’s work differs from others – even within the same genre. All we can do is be true to our story and ourselves.  Personally, I endeavour to ensure authenticity in my writing, so the reader experiences the essence of Karen and who she is.

Why do I write what I do?

There are two reasons:  firstly to express my creativity. I love the written word, it inspires and connects to my soul at the deepest level, painting pictures in the canvas of my imagination.  Secondly, a deep desire to help others, to give hope and share the truth of my life’s journey in a unique way with those who are in a similar situation.  

How does my writing process work?

Subject matter for my writing tends to come through meditation, an Oprah ‘Aha’ moment, or just a knowing that I need to write on a certain subject. I write from a connected space that feels otherworldly. When I try to make my writing happen without that connection it simply does not work: no flow, no ideas and no words.  

Now let me introduce the next three beautiful bloggers on the tour who I’m sure you will thoroughly enjoy; Anna Kemp, Elysia Tsangarides and Kristen Taylor:

Anna Kemp:

Anna was born in Melbourne, Victoria but has lived in many places along the East Coast of Australia. She writes a personal/lifestyle blog titled Anna Savanna.  Initially the blog began as a hobby to pass the time during university holidays, but being able to write about anything she felt like and engaging with readers from around the globe was rather addictive. When a rare disorder forced her to quit her Masters Degree in Communications, the blog became her main pursuit. When she isn't posting on the blog she is working on her first fiction book, using instagram prolifically and generally being a flâneur. In her former life as a journalist, Anna wrote for Luxury Travel Magazine and Australian Art Collector, and freelanced for publications such as The Coffee Guide.  Anna currently lives in Sydney with her husband and two dogs.  

Anna Savanna

www.annasavanna.com

Elysia Tsangarides:

Elysia is many things, depending on the time of day. During work hours she is Marketer, Communicator, Event and Program Manager, as well as many cups of tea drinker. After 5pm she writes for Weekend Notes Perth, blogs at Prickles and Pearls, dabbles in many things creative but most of all, reads and writes a bunch! Traveller, foodie, lover, questioner, procrastinator, fence sitter, popcorn lover, dog owner, daughter, girlfriend, sister and amongst other things believer that life should be nothing short of extraordinary.  Check out Prickles and Pearls to enjoy a little bit of El. 

Prickles and Pearls

pricklesandpearls.blogspot.com.au

Kristen Taylor:

Kristen is a 34 year old Mobile, Alabama native who has been a self professed writer ever since she was first able to hold a pencil correctly.  At the age of 11, she had two original poems published in the annual edition of 'Sketches,' a 200-page booklet showcasing art and writings of students in the DoDDS schools in Germany.  Her next published work didn't occur till more than 20 years later when she was asked to contribute to a coffee-table book entitled 50 Shades of Black writing on the 'Global Preoccupation of Skin Tone' (as it relates to sexuality and how its portrayed in the media). However, for the past four years Kristen has been writing a myriad of topics on her blog The Personal Reflections of Kristen Alyce. With notebooks full of songs, scripts and short stories dating back as far as 2000, she hopes one day to compile all her work into a personal catalogue.  In the meantime, she is working on a currently untitled book where she discusses morality in dating relationships as they relate to scripture and its parallel to her personal dating experiences.  Coming soon to a bookshelf near you! Until then, check her out on her Personal Reflections blog; she'd loved to welcome you to her world! 

The Personal Reflections of Kirsten Alyce

http://kristenalyce.tumblr.com

  

Memorable Movie Making

I have this wonderful little book called Secret Daily Teachings.  It's one of those written gems that gifts you with pearls of wisdom, food for thought and insights to living your best life. 

Today's teaching invited me to mull over a few positive changes that I could further incorporate into my life.  

'How is the movie of your life going? Do you need to make any script changes ....... Is there any editing that you want to do?'

I was unaware until latterly that the movie of my life is solely of my creation.  The good, the bad and the ugly presented for all to see - an outer representation of the inner workings of my mind.  It was time to rewrite the horror/psychological thriller script that had played in my head for as long as I could remember. 

Learning that I had the power to choose and change my thoughts from negative to positive, black to white, dark to light, wrong to right, or any other variation thereof, was the start of a deep internal spiritual shift towards self-acceptance and self love whilst pursuing my own dreams. 

I admit, initially it did feel really weird practicing positive self-talk that would shut out the negativity of my ego, but honestly, persistence is the key, as is trusting the process without question. Today I can look in the mirror and smile at myself without a whisper of self criticism.  Believe me that's momentous!

There is absolute freedom in knowing nothing is set in stone; I can edit the script at any time, even rewrite the whole movie plot to ensure I am living life on my terms and loving it. 

We only get one chance at living this life to its fullest, so if you're not content with how your movie is panning out, get in touch with your inner director, rewrite the script and reshoot the scenes to ensure the happiest of Hollywood endings!!