Waiting for Kiki

In 1998 after I lost my home, and was caring for my disabled mother, since my father had died suddenly, I came across this picture in a Sunday paper.

I was really taken with the illustration, which I cut out and stuck to the inside of a kitchen cabinet.

Every day, when I open the cabinet, the picture spoke to me. I resolved to see the animation as soon as I could.

The months grew, to seven years, and when my mother died, I was able to take my gap year,  about forty years late.

With many adventures around the world under my belt, I returned to Cornwall to work, write, and make myself a little home.

I wondered, from time to time, what happened to the animation, which had slipped into that wait-and-see box at the back of my mind.

Chatting one day in our local café, with a young mother and her little daughter, we got talking about children's stories.

Two of my children's books were on the shelf, along with other art and children's books and toys, and I asked her if she had ever seen a Japanese animation about  girl in a bakery shop.

Of course, she answered. It's Kiki and her delivery service, I have it on DVD.

Would you like to see it?

And so, eventually I did get to see it, and realised that wishes sometimes do come true – if you have patience, and a good memory.