Journalist, author and gardening extraordinaire Mary Moody is coming to town to share her story of overcoming heartbreak.
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In her latest book, The Accidental Tour Guide, Moody speaks of her husband David's death after 42 years of tackling life together. Returning to Wagga to do so will be an emotional journey for her.
"My husband had his radiation treatment with Lilier Lodge. He had the option to go to Wagga or go to the city so we thought he'd be much happier in Wagga," she said.
"It was a fantastic facility, and this will be first time I've been back since so there will definitely be a sentimental element to it."
Moody's latest book follows an inspirational journey to find her place in the world, carving out a new life for herself as a single older woman who inspires others to follow their dreams.
"I wrote about serendipity I suppose, we never know quite what is going to happen in our lives," Moody said.
"I had no idea that I'd end up as a garden writer, or that I'd travel the world sharing my passion for it."
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Moody has travelled through the Himalayas, Morocco and beyond identifying the region's botany and guiding tours through a wealth of culture.
"Beyond those elements though, it speaks of the more sad side to my story with not only my husband's death but also my sister who died of Alzheimer's in Canada, all in quite a close time frame," she said.
"We aren't and never will be prepared for these things in life, so it sparks a conversation that I feel we all need to have."
Writing the novel was therapeutic for Moody, but it did not come easy for her.
"It was five years before I felt brave enough and strong enough to put my story on the page," she said.
"Grief is something that never stops or ends but I'm a lot stronger now and I've accepted the fact I have a different life moving forward."
Moody is bringing her book to Wagga Library for an Author Talk Event on November 6 in the hopes of helping others through tough times.
"I'm in my third week of touring now and the response from audiences has been amazing," she said.
"People either have similar stories or similar aspects and the result is a very stimulating and necessary conversation.
"Life has a funny way of going on, and I hope that if others see that I have weathered the storm and come out the other side, then they might find inspiration to be courageous and face their own problems."