Death, Grief, Bereavement
Date Published: 1-6-2017
Publisher: Cygnet Publications, Cygnet Media Group Inc.
When her beloved soul friend husband, Gerald, passed away a few years ago, and her friends and sons moved to distant cities, she found herself alone for the first time in her life.
Gerald, a professional artist, had his studio in their home. Their home was always filled with family life, art, music, joy and playfulness in the garden.
After his passing, the silence was loud. The joy was gone — her paradise — a lost paradise.
She had two choices, either to fall apart or to get on with life. She chose the latter and traveled to find a home, a community — however - nowhere was home - since he left.
In writing Nowhere Is Home … Since You Left, Madeleine Zeldin shares her insights, emotions, and true life experiences as she journeys solo throughout the years following the sorrowful death of her soul mate, internationally renowned artist, Gerald Zeldin. She presents years of storytelling based on travel journals she wrote while traveling to countries such as Mexico, Philippines, Ecuador, France, Spain, and California, U.S.A. Zeldin also reveals the intensity of the pain and sorrow experienced in her grief, along with the fulfillment, satisfaction and logistics of international travel. In her travels she volunteered in the medical field and gave help where help was needed. She brings inspiration to those of her generation, the 60’s, who find themselves alone.
Through her evocative tales of adventure, Zeldin reveals this life-changing knowledge to the world!
But ultimately where is Home?
Interview
Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
I would like readers, especially of my generation, the baby boomers,
to realize there is life after big loss ... to bring inspiration to those who
find themselves alone and feeling lost. Through my evocative tales of
adventure, I reveal life-changing knowledge to my readers.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Since this story is my journey, I find the memories that creep in
sometimes freeze me in my tracks.
How many books have you written and which is your favourite?
I have written three books for publication. They are all my favourite
for their own messages. My first, Our Last Dance ... A Love Story,
was extremely important in the process of making many much needed
changes in our medical system.
Nowhere Is Home ... Since You Left, is instrumental in
inspiring those of my generation to realize there is life after loss.
Along with tales of great adventure, it gives practical advice, not only
for travel, but for life in general.
My children's book ... Fiona, The Fat, Fluffy Feline, hopefully
will help children through their grief, of whatever kind.
If you had a chance to cast your main character from Hollywood today,
who would you pick and why?
Since this is my journey, I think I would have to play myself. I don't know
of any actor who could be me. However, I am open to suggestions.
The actor would have to be of my generation.
When did you begin writing?
I began my writing for publication in 2010 after my beloved, late husband, my soul friend, Gerry, passed away. However, I feel there was never really a beginning to my real writing. As far back as I can remember, I was telling stories, which often amused people. I guess I consider myself a 'story-teller' rather than a writer. As an artist, I often write 'sketches' of my experiences ... in free-form style.
My first published book, Our Last Dance ... A Love Story, written in 2010,
was inspired by my late husband's desire 'to have his story told ... so that others may be helped'. It is a portrait of our soul friend relationship ... along with insight into our medical journey of battling cancer for 7 years.
How long did it take you to write your first book?
It took me the first year after Gerry's death ... one of the most difficult tasks
I have ever performed. Reliving his pain and death and our journey
of this big battle ... battling cancer ... was emotional torture. Some say writing
is therapeutic ... I did not find that ... however, I knew it had to be done, for Gerry's sake. I could never have done it without the emotional support of my sons.
Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?
No author inspired me to become a writer ... I was always a story teller ...
but my late husband's wish inspired me to write our story.
However, Isabel Allende is one of my favourite authors ... I love her books that
are full of historical events and yet personal experiences at the same time ...
containing both myth and realism.
What is your favourite part of the writing process?
Firstly, the telling of the stories ... is my favourite part of the 'writing' process,
along with just sitting down to my writing pad or computer to see my fingers
just start writing. I don't know where it comes from.
Describe your latest book in 4 words.
I consider my latest book, Nowhere Is Home ... Since You Left.
A salad of emotions ... OR ... love, hope, courage, adventure ...
... whichever you like best ...
Can you share a little bit about your current work ... or what is in
the future for your writing?
The future of my work ... is in the hands of the gods!
And whatever happens, I feel confident that it will be for the best.
About the Author
Professionally, Ms. Zeldin has been engaged in nursing and teaching. She has successfully advocated for changes in the medical field, along with homebirth and Midwifery. In her travels to out of the way places, she has been a keen observer of people and distant cultures, often writing a 'sketch' of her experience.
Madeleine is an advocate of advocacy.
Madeleine believes we can all make a difference.
Throughout her adult life she has successfully advocated for change. When she felt change was needed, she rallied. She lobbied. She started a group or joined a group.
In the late '70's, when her town council was considering tearing down old heritage properties in the name of 'Progress', she helped start a group of interested citizens in order to save these heritage properties. 'Progress' was stopped and many heritage buildings were saved due to the group's diligence.
Again in the early '80's, Madeleine herself changed local hospital policy to allow midwives to accompany couples in the birthing room, after the hospital refused to allow her midwife to enter.
She belonged to a group of informed parents who advocated for changes in the policies for vaccinations.
Madeleine volunteered at the local Health Center and advocated for improved health care for refugees. Improvements were made.
She successfully advocated for her soul-friend, late husband Gerald's medical care throughout their six year battle with cancer. Many important changes were implemented in our medical system due to her persistence.
Madeleine has been ahead of her time in her generation. She had many professions throughout her life including social worker, teacher, registered nurse. She also joined a group of midwives and again successfully advocated for choices in childbirth.
However, she considers her most important achievement as being a mother and grandmother. She has instilled in her family a sense of love and empathy and has taught them to love the earth and its people.
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