Mary McEvoy on finding the beauty within

Mary McEvoy introduces us to some of the themes in her new book – from growing old to keeping dreams alive.

ONE winter morning last year I saw a little water hen in my garden. I had been feeling very lonely and isolated, and when I saw the little bird I began to smile. Before long my sprits began to rise. I realised in that moment how seemingly insignificant things can have great meaning and power. I also realised that unknown to myself I had been storing up many of these moments in my unconscious and now they wanted to surface so I put pen to paper and Ordinary Beauty was born.”