Bragging Rights

I know most people think their mom is the best, but I've got to say I think my mom is definitely in the cream of the crop. This is a woman who became a widow at 43 with a two and a four year old, then turned around and raised them by herself. She is the most independent person I know and taught me that there truly is a way to do anything if you're creative and research your options enough.

You know how most gardeners have a green thumb? Well, my mom's got a green arm. The woman can grow anything! She's built decks and sheds, she's built rooms and painted, she's laid carpet, done plumbing, took care of her own aged parents, and continued to raise her two kids in a loving home.

But in all the busy-ness of her life she had to give up her greatest dream: that of being an author. She has said on many occasions that she is not only proud of me for my accomplishments, but is so grateful that she gets to be a part of my journey toward publication, that in a small way she gets to live her dream through me.

Well, not anymore.

On Saturday, as I had a marathon wait at the Atlanta airport, I got a phone call from my dear mother. Months ago she had submitted a few stories to a lady she'd met, Joy Robinson, who had previously published a compilation of spiritual stories called Touched by the Spirit. Mom had hoped something would come of it, but hadn't been expecting much of anything, when lo and behold she receives a copy of Joy's newest book in the mail with not one of Mom's stories, but two! She was thrilled, to say the least. The book is called Tender mercies: Stories to Stir the Soul and is published by Cedar Fort.

Can you say proud daughter???

What an amazing thing, to have my mother finally see her dream of publication fulfilled while her daughter is on the path herself. She asked me today if I was at all jealous of her success and I could honestly say, not one bit! I am so happy that she's been able to feel the joy of seeing her words in print and am so, so thankful to have her as my mom. She's my hero--the person I look up to more than any other.

So, congratulations, Mom! I'm so very proud of you! Let's keep making those dreams come true!

Quote of the Day: "A writer lives, at least, in a state of astonishment. Beneath any feeling he has of the good or evil of the world lies a deeper one of wonder at it all. To transmit that feeling, he writes."

~William Sansom