LATEST NEWS - BOOK 2 HAS ARRIVED!

I wish my GRANDMOTHER was normal

After many months Book 2 out of the series of 8 is finally here. For those of you who have seen the book already at Eumundi and would like to buy your copy then please....

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For all you first time visitors please keep reading. Here's a little of what Shona has to say about her new book........

To each and every Grandmother in our world I write this book for you so that every Grandmother may be acknowledged as different and special. So that your child's child may be acknowledged as different and special as well

If by reading this book, special minutes of love and laughter are shared by the Grandmother and Grandchild, then what is most important has been accomplished.

If by reading the book thoughts and feelings of what is most precious awaken in your mind, heart and soul, my wish has been granted.

Written by Shona Keenan "Keep Going".

I feel very humble. I am blessed, truly blessed to have three magnificent sons whom have taught me far more about love and life than what I could ever possibly reach them.

My Sons' courage, compassion and determination incased in their unconditional love is very simply the inspiration for my writing.

Shona Keenan Lives on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

DEDICATION

Zac, Lachlan and Joshua (Squash) Forever and always THANKYOU for choosing me as your mother.

Shannon, Jacob, Charlotte and Grace. Beloved grandchildren of my sister Sue

In Memory of my niece Janet. Without your courage and love my writing would not be. Thank you - Aunt Shona.

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Please keep reading to learn more about Shona and her writing.

- I wish my mother was an octopus -

Where do I begin, at the beginning?

My name is Shona Keenan and I have three sons.

One afternoon I was outside playing handball, three boys, three tennis balls, one piece of brick paving and one mother. The rules were 20 shots each and then the next ones turn. My middle child Lachlan verbalised "I wish my Mother was an Octopus" and I replied "I wish I was an Octopus too."

Very quickly Lachlan went one tentacle could answer the phone (I was president at our local Kindy and had two part time jobs - the phone rang after 4p.m.), one tentacle in the kitchen (by 4p.m. something was in the oven heading towards dinner), one tentacle for the laundry (I wash at night- can never figure out if I'm in front or behind) one tentacle for the sick (usually something happening somewhere with someone), one tentacle off to work (the boys hated it when I worked on Sundays), one tentacle for the baby brother (we were going to give him two tentacles as he was quite a handful but we worked out there would not be enough to go around), one tentacle for the older brother (he is very keen on his cricket) and Lachlan interestingly wanted the last tentacle but it had to be specifically all his own.

These thoughts went round and round in my head, as I felt that this is exactly how it is, and I started thinking of how I felt about it, my perception and my version of being the Octopus.

One night I woke about 2 a.m. and just tossed and turned for a couple of hours, finally I got up, made a cup of coffee, sat outside and wrote two separate versions for the Octopus.

I made some enquiries and yes I could send it to a Publisher, but I would have very little control over how the book was illustrated and rightly or wrongly I was very clear on how the Octopus should look and how the book was to look. This book is self published and was printed 5/12/2003

Because I can't draw it is very difficult for someone to take the thoughts from my head and to produce the Octopus.

The name Candice Wright came to me three times in the one week. Candice is an ex student of the school my boys attend and a good friend of the daughter of the Director of the Kindy where the boys went. Fate - I certainly believe so.

Candice is a very talented, vivacious 19 year old, who was able to draw the Octopus as I saw it - amazing - I think her illustrations are incredible.

Again it was by pure chance that I became aware of "The Ink Spot", the most helpful Printers on the planet, I'm sure the P in Printers also stands for precision and patience.

There are indeed some very funny moments tied up in the book, one that comes to my mind is the colours for the Octopus. I was in Best & Less with a girlfriend and in the 3 pairs of knickers for $5.00 barrel. I saw the exact blue, pink and the purple I wanted. So I quickly grabbed three knickers and my girlfriend Collette goes "At least get the right size Shona, so you can wear them afterwards" {For ever practical - Collette}.

Perhaps too, the look on Candices face when she saw the knickers on the kitchen table and delicately declined my offer of taking these knickers with her.

When I first learnt about the cricket box! My eldest son, Zac, was eight and had his first game of under 10 cricket, he was getting ready to bat. On went the pads on the legs and next the helmet on the head, then the correct batting gloves on the hands and he gestures for me to come over. I do and Zac goes "I forgot my box", "You forgot your what" I reply. Zac goes again "I forgot my box, it is in my cricket bag, can you get it please?"

"Right" said I not having any idea what I am getting, but head to the cricket bag and inside this bag there is only one object, a triangular, plastic white cup- like thing, that must be "the box". As I walk back it clicks that this is 'the protector of the bits and pieces' Zac says "I am all padded up, you will need to put it in"

This I promptly do, placing it inside his cricket trousers and the box promptly falls down the trouser leg, "Not there" says my son "It has to go inside my jocks" so I try again., "You have got it upside down mum, the skinny bit is at the bottom" my son states with disgust. One very quick twist and all is well. The stuff that 21st Birthdays are made of.

Motherhood, so incredibly challenging and yet so rewarding.

One morning at breakfast, the boys and I were talking about the book and wondering what we could do to help other people. On this particular morning the boys had free dress and had to take a gold coin for school as the school supports children through world vision. The idea of giving proceeds from the sale of each book was born so we donate from the sale of each book to Nambour Childrens Ward when the book is sold locally or to "Children's Hospital Australia" when sold nationally.

This is a very appropriate gesture as Lachlan, the child that verbalised the Octopus, he and I spent time in Nambour Childrens Ward when he was 10 weeks old, he had meningitis. This was a very difficult time and I truly admire the medical profession for their expertise and their constant attention, not only for my son but for myself. We were lucky and even though it was another 12 months before we could be 99% confident, we walked away. I saw children that were not so lucky.

With Motherhood, I was totally unprepared for two things:-

Firstly the overwhelming unconditional love I would have for my children.

Secondly the lifetime commitment we as mothers make.

This book tells of my life with my children and I feel confident that every mother and child must feel as we do.