Spike And The Blue Chair

Spike & the Blue ChairThe writer tells the story of her family and their transition through grief and bereavement. However, the story is told through the eyes of Spike the Cat, who joins them at the start of their crisis and takes on the role of observer, protector and helper.Spike is curious about many things, but he is especially curious about the blue chair. One day, he discovers its magic and begins to see how he can help his family by gently leading them onto its seat. He is a cat with purpose, helping his family through the ‘rubbish days’ that slowly change into new hope and fresh beginnings. He watches as they become a new blended family and learns what it means to move on with courage and love. “For cats know what you’re thinking, they know just how you feel;They soak up all your sadness and purr with steadfast zeal.” Jo Hird

Jo Hird lives and works in Sheffield. Over the past 15 years, she has been through a major transition after the loss of her first husband to cancer. At the age of 38, she began to re-build her life along with her three children. Within two years of her bereavement, she finished a psychology degree, moved house, began a new career, re-married and took on a blended family of teenagers, plus numerous pets. She is passionate about family life and the nurturing of loving relationships and writes in order to support and give hope to others struggling to rebuild a new life after bereavement.