Lessons From a China Cabinet

As a little girl, I spent hours with my nose pressed against the glass door of this china cabinet. It was in my Aunt Hazel's house and it was filled with pitchers that she had collected from all of their travels. 

Now it sits in a corner of my wee living room, filled with all sorts of things: blue and white rose dishes my mother-in-law gave me when everything else in my house was green and gold. I treasure them now; cardinal music boxes and figurines; blue glass dishes (I love cobalt blue anything); and miscellaneous items our girls thought too precious to part with, and now I just can't let them go. 

All that, to say this: It's not unusual to walk into a room and find someone sitting alone. It may be a corner, or it very well could be in the center, among others, but still very alone.

What a shame it would be if one were to miss the opportunity to "press their nose" against the window of that person's heart. What treasures hidden within might they miss? What one small image one might take away that will shine brightest when their own world becomes dark?

In 2019 I so very much want to be both the glass window that allows others to see my heart--and the one who readily 'presses their nose' against the heart of another. 

I want to be a friend!

HAVING TOO MUCH FUN IN MY OLD AGE!!

I've heard so many authors, much more prolific than I am, say how getting a new book in hand never gets old.

To open this box of books today, and see my latest release on top, was again a thrill I never thought I'd experience.

First of all--I'm older than a lot of new authors.  My first book was released in November of 2015, and I was 75 years old.

Since then I've had published two other novels, five novellas (3 of which released only as ebooks). Now, the three ebooks have been put into one compilation and released in paperback.  Then the cherry on top--my fourth full novel will be released in July--and I will be 78 years old.

I'm blessed beyond measure.

Blessed by a publisher and editor who believe in me and encourage me every step of the way--and are now very close friends.

I'm blessed by faithful readers who come to book signings and leave reviews on Amazon--and ask me if I'm working on another story.

I'm blessed by my family, sons and daughters-in-law who ask the right questions at just the right time to encourage me, and grandkids who give up time to come to book signings, read my stories, and encourage me in so many ways just by being themselves.

I'm more than blessed by my Bob, who lets me rant, cry, and write--sometimes in that order!  He eats leftovers and sandwiches when I'm on a deadline or in the middle of a rewrite. This man sits every evening and watches Blue Blood and Heartland without complaining--just because it is our little silly old-people tradition--when he would much rather be watching an intense courtroom drama. And he never goes to sleep without telling me he loves me--even if we just holler it while I'm writing and he's headed for bed.

And I'm blessed by a faithful Lord, who continues to give me words and ideas. A God who keeps his promises and never changes. My Savior who gave His life for me.

Have I mentioned

I AM BLESSED?