Nearly 10 years ago I started my chaplaincy journey with a student placement at Brian King Gardens Residential Aged Care Home in Castle Hill. I was given the residents in one wing to visit each week. I didn’t know they were living with dementia and so came into this new setting with no preconceptions. I had an absolute ball getting to know these amazing people. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I stayed on as a volunteer after my placement was finished. I learned so much about what was really important – relationships and living in the present moment.
I also had the privilege of hearing Christine Bryden speak at the Dementia and Faith conference. Her explanation that her spirit remains intact throughout her dementia was a pivotal moment for me. It sparked my passion to write my first novel A Beautiful Death. It showcases Cassie Brennan, a world renowned pianist, who develops younger onset dementia but still wants to unravel the secrets of her past. Can Cassie find reconciliation and even love in the midst of memory loss? Will her spiritual Garden provide the answers she desperately needs?
You’ll be able to find out because the book is going to be published! I’m so excited that Redemption Press will be bringing my book baby to the world in 2026. There’s a lot of work to do in the meantime – editing, layout, cover design and promotion – but it’s happening. Thank you so much to all the people who’ve been on the journey with me from the beginning and to all the others who’ve joined along the way. I promise the next book will be much quicker.
By carolynbourke