Iona Winter

This week has been intense, bittersweet, and exciting ~ plus many other things in between. But this morning I am reflecting on how it’s mostly been about my relationship with Reuben. Over the next month he and I will be sharing a journey of new things (although he’ll be doing it from another dimension).

Wednesday, six months since Reuben died. And it’s been heartening to hear that writing about my experience (as suicide bereaved) is helpful for others (and also myself). In time there’ll be more, when my writing hand feels compelled.

Reuben’s next album Milk III was announced yesterday with Flying Nun Records. Much aroha to several of Reuben’s close friends, his partner Grace, and the music community for supporting me with creating album artwork, organising events and music-related issues that needed attending to. For those outside Aotearoa New Zealand, Flying Nun are an institution in the alternative indie music scene here ~ and as such it’s an incredible honouring of Reuben’s creative genius (yes I can say that as his Māmā). https://www.flyingnun.co.nz/blogs/news/reuben-winter-s-whanau-flying-nun-records-to-release-milk-iii

I’ve almost finished the (handmade) second edition of my poetry collection Te Hau Kāika, dedicated to Reuben, and from the multimedia exhibition Reuben, Grace and I did together in 2019 (aka more books for sale).

And today, our Autumn Equinox, it’s publication day for my new collection Gaps in the Light. Although the books haven’t yet arrived (as they’ve a very long way to travel) I look forward to holding them. https://adhocfiction.com/2021/02/gaps-in-the-light-iona-winter/

Events will be posted online for Milk III and Gaps in the Light, and while this is a bittersweet celebration of mine and Reuben’s creativity there is solace in sharing the journey with him.

Me te aroha,

Iona x