Writing this book was therapeutic for me.
I was told by many people for many years, I should write a book but thought who would be interested in my story? After my mom was murdered I thought about it and knew I could not write a story. I couldn’t even express myself in a school essay of what I did during the summer. So I thought to myself, I wonder who wrote "Where Children Run" and "When Memories Remain" as this was based on a true story in Manitoba. I didn’t read many books because I would fall asleep. But this book I could not put down.
I started searching the internet in December 2015 for this Author and found her on Facebook. Her name is Karen Emilson and I sent her a private message. I told her a little about myself, I have Cystic Fibrosis, lost my sister to the same disease, my double lung transplant and a senseless murder. I waited for her response. She is a busy lady so it took months. Low and behold I found out she lives in Grunthal, Manitoba, just over a 10 minute drive from where I live in St. Malo.
Karen and I met at a coffee shop in March of 2016 in Grunthal and had a 3-hour deep conversation. I didn’t want her to think I was a lunatic so I brought proof of some of the things I was telling her about. We met again a week later where she told me she would write my book. We laughed and cried together. It took us 3 years to complete the book. We finally did it but It wasn’t easy.
I was told by many people for many years, I should write a book but thought who would be interested in my story? After my mom was murdered I thought about it and knew I could not write a story. I couldn’t even express myself in a school essay of what I did during the summer. So I thought to myself, I wonder who wrote "Where Children Run" and "When Memories Remain" as this was based on a true story in Manitoba. I didn’t read many books because I would fall asleep. But this book I could not put down.
I started searching the internet in December 2015 for this Author and found her on Facebook. Her name is Karen Emilson and I sent her a private message. I told her a little about myself, I have Cystic Fibrosis, lost my sister to the same disease, my double lung transplant and a senseless murder. I waited for her response. She is a busy lady so it took months. Low and behold I found out she lives in Grunthal, Manitoba, just over a 10 minute drive from where I live in St. Malo.
Karen and I met at a coffee shop in March of 2016 in Grunthal and had a 3-hour deep conversation. I didn’t want her to think I was a lunatic so I brought proof of some of the things I was telling her about. We met again a week later where she told me she would write my book. We laughed and cried together. It took us 3 years to complete the book. We finally did it but It wasn’t easy.
Karen and Anna at the Book Launch at McNally Robinson in Winnipeg on May 23, 2019.
I also want to mention Lisa Friesen from Ninth and MAY Design Co. who designed the front and back cover of my book and organized, placed and cropped all the photos inside. I never imagined my book to look like this. I will forever be grateful for Karen and Lisa as well as everyone else who supported me throughout this project.
I would like to remind everyone to sign their donor card, tell your family your wishes. It is so important and could save many lives. You never know it may be you or a loved one waiting for an organ one day.
I hope you all enjoy reading my story. If I am able to inspire just one person dealing with a serious illness, organ transplant or major tragedy, it was worth every minute of my time.
Anna Maynard
I would like to remind everyone to sign their donor card, tell your family your wishes. It is so important and could save many lives. You never know it may be you or a loved one waiting for an organ one day.
I hope you all enjoy reading my story. If I am able to inspire just one person dealing with a serious illness, organ transplant or major tragedy, it was worth every minute of my time.
Anna Maynard
A little about how Cystic Fibrosis affects the lungs and digestive system:
Please visit the Cystic Fibrosis Canada website.