the question I am asked the most…
Posted in my heart wanders, personal, pia's photos May 5th, 2011 by pia

beautiful floral sculpture by tracey deep

Since settling back in Australia – but especially over the last few days during the book launch events – the question I have been asked the most is “Why did you move back to Sydney?” Has this been on your mind too? I thought I’d answer that question here, in the (blog)house in case there are more of you wondering the same thing:

I came back to Sydney for my Mum.

I wanted to say this at the launch on Friday night at Ariel, but when I practiced saying it out loud in the days leading up to it, each time I’d choke up with tears before the answer came out, so on the night I thought it best not to.  Also, I know mum dislikes the spotlight as much as I do (can you imagine how anxious I was writing about her throughout My Heart Wanders? Thank goodness she loves it), so I thought it wiser not to shine it in her direction.

But I’ll shine it on her here now: Happy Mother’s Day Mum. It’s so nice to not be so far away.

I’m off to Brisbane today to celebrate the book’s release with many wonderful and creative Brisbane folk this Saturday, just in time for Mother’s Day. I know a number of people are bringing their mums along, and have bought copies of My Heart Wanders to give to their mums on Mother’s Day – thank you! I will try to keep you posted on my whereabouts via twitter, which has now become my mini visual diary as I post photos during my days through instagram.

Next week I’ll definitely catch you up on all the events over the past week. For now, you can see some great photos of Friday night’s Sydney launch on Jillian Leiboff’s blog (thank you Jillian!).

xx

PS yesterday I created some little foresty oases in the windows of two great bookstores in Sydney – Better Read than Dead, and Oscar & Friends in Surry Hills, I’d love it if you would swing by these bookstores to have a look, and tell your friends about them, thank you so very much.

PPS if you’ve missed out on some of the events already, there are still a few more coming up – please check the sidebar for the schedule. x


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18 Comments

  1. vanessa joie says

    xo

    May 5th, 2011 | #

  2. Nat@ dear little house says

    Great that you can be close to your mum 🙂 Also, Sydney is a pretty great place to be in general…

    May 5th, 2011 | #

  3. debra phillips says

    i am in love with your book, well the concept, photo’s writing thus far. i am intrigued as i am currently struggling with a big decision of following my heart or head. my life quote is; ‘leap and the net will appear’ apparently that could be yours too.
    as a retailer in the us, any chance of finding your book here?
    debra

    May 5th, 2011 | #

  4. Leslie says

    Hi Pia,
    Congratulations on your decision to move back to where your mum is. I have always thought that “home” is wherever your love ones are. I look forward to getting my copy of “My Heart Wanders” and I have really enjoyed carrying your guide books around both Paris and Amsterdam.
    Have fun in Brisbane!

    May 5th, 2011 | #

  5. Kylie says

    I look forward to meeting you on Saturday!

    May 5th, 2011 | #

  6. MissHeliotrope says

    It must be difficult balancing between keeping your life & family private & sharing enough that this random interwebby we has some idea of the what & why your basic behaviour sets up.
    If it helps, we moved home with a big reason being me needing to be near my family, and the result has been a closeness with mum & others that I didnt quite expect and that has given me great comfort.

    May 5th, 2011 | #

  7. Anne says

    That’s beautiful! Good luck on the launch!

    May 5th, 2011 | #

  8. meenal@maison marigold says

    you are a sweetheart pia..your mum must be so proud of you! a happy mother’s day to you!! xx meenal

    May 5th, 2011 | #

  9. E'Layne Koenigsberg says

    How lovely…for your mum…it seems as the years go by matters of the heart are truly important…I found your blog from a class I’m taking with Alyson Stanfield and I’m really glad I did!! simply beautiful…happy launch

    May 5th, 2011 | #

  10. Sam says

    A wonderfully good reason.

    May 5th, 2011 | #

  11. Brittany says

    i think it’s very sweet to be close to your mother. by the way, i LOVE the blog! i discovered it through christine chitnis–so pleased i stopped by! <3

    May 5th, 2011 | #

  12. Jane S says

    Hello Pia, I am in country NSW waiting impatiently for a copy of your book which our local book shop has ordered for me! Your blog is beautiful!

    May 6th, 2011 | #

  13. Armada Volya says

    Just found my way to your blog, love it. It’s great that you moved to be closer to your mum, wish I could do the same with my grandmother. Good luck to you, will be stopping by again.

    Arts

    May 6th, 2011 | #

  14. Dee Purdy says

    wish that we could be there.

    May 6th, 2011 | #

  15. Posie Patchwork says

    Happy Mother’s Day in your world. I know, it’s hard to say outloud, but we’re in Canberra (rather than Brisbane, Darwin or Melbourne) to be close -but-not-too-close- to our elderly parents, at this heart breaking time in our lives when they are starting to leave us. Mind you, we’ve fallen in love with Canberra & will call it our real home after following our dreams in a year or two. Love Posie

    May 8th, 2011 | #

  16. Ellen says

    Ohmygosh….I just read the reason why you came back to Sydney and I literally burst into tears…. If there is anything that I do miss of not living in Holland but on the other side of the ocean it will be my mom…. all the little things that make life so big… it is so hard to leave family and friends behind, it is… but being without my mom is probably one of the hardest things… despite visits back and forth…. so I understand it and your posting made me cry… which helped :-))) So great that you are back “home”…. I believe that “home is where the heart is,” but sometimes it’s just being with mom and having a cuppa.. Enjoy !!

    May 8th, 2011 | #

  17. Ameesha Lee says

    Beautiful post Pia. I’ve been away from my hometown & my lovely mum for 8 years now & when I left Australia I never knew it would be the start of living a whole new life in a completely different country. To say it has been hard is an understatement! Enjoy every moment with your mum, as I’m sure you will. 🙂

    May 9th, 2011 | #

  18. Susan Krzywicki says

    Being closer to your mother in times of need is a gift – to her AND to yourself.

    May it bring you peace and clarity.

    May 9th, 2011 | #


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