MAY AWARENESS 2025 - LIFE, LOVE AND LOSS

Bonjour, 

This is my fourth blog for May awareness 2025. It's focused on three books that I've self published which include a variety of poems and not just about M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis). 

The first one is entitled 'Life, love, loss and a whole lot more' and was self published in 2017. This time I included photos. 

I also published this book at a cheaper cost without the photos. 

In 2023 I also self published a book entitled 'More of life, love and loss' and included photos. 

In these books I include poems about my life, the loves of my life, the influences in my life, the loss of love, the loss of friends and family, the loss of good health, places and moments in time and a much more. 

If you want to discover 'The French Femme' then you may find this of more interest. 

The foreword of these books was written by Cathy Milby who is a lifelong friend and who faces her own battles with Multiple sclerosis. 

Here is an extract of what she wrote 

Ros's first two books of poetry shared her own, and others' experiences of living with M.E. This collection includes some poems on her illness but also sketches in the background to her M.E. self. 

There are poignant expressions of regret, anger and loss especially about the new life she had hoped to enjoy when she moved to France. Despite poor health, reduced energy levels and now living on her own, she still boldly embraces life in France to the extent that she she includes three poems in French. 

Poetry has helped Ros deal with the limitations of her current lifestyle, reflect on past loves, and remember good times. She can be hopeful about her illness but needs to have a place to express herself in the bad times, more recently in French. 

I admire her ability to grasp new opportunities despite everything. She has found new happiness if not total acceptance of her life with M.E. 

Enjoy learning More of life, love and loss from The French Femme. 

In my introduction I also include a short piece in French written by my M.E. friend Mathilde Khalef. 

Here's an extract of what she has written 

Encéphalomyelite myalgique/Syndrome de fatigue chronique: un nom compliqué pour une maladie complexe. Elle est mal reconnue en France. Pourtant c’est une maladie neurologique très invalidante qui affecte des milliers de malades.

C’est une vie au ralenti, pour certains une vie d’isolement entre quatre murs et dans le noir. Oh le cœur dit oui mais le corps dit trop souvent non, comme une batterie qui ne garde jamais longtemps la charge. Vivre avec et malgré l'EM pour moi c’est fréquemment avoir l’impression de conduire une de Dion Bouton sur un grand prix de F1

My books are available in paperback and kindle versions on Amazon throughout many countries around the world. 

Life, love and a whole lot more  - Amazon UK and Amazon USA

More of life, love and loss -  Amazon UK and Amazon USA 

I've set up a Just Giving Page for raising money for awareness in May 2025.  All proceeds from the sale of this book during May 2025 will be donated to the charity Invest in ME Research. 

I will also be sharing a few of the poems from these books during the fourth week of awareness month. 

Thanking you for your support. 

Au revoir 

The French Femme