Eclipse perspective

Like millions of people around the world, I was prepared to see the eclipse.
My friend, Patricia, had given me a pair of the special glasses that would allow us to see the eclipse, but not go blind.
I used them for a split second, but the trees blocked the view.
I was more interested in the light and shadows dancing around on Randy and Fab’s deck.
Randy was out working on a shoot, and I was alone in the house, working in the office.
And when I stepped outside, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The universal shift was eerie, almost like the calm before an Oklahoma tornado.
As darkness covered the land, the critters started making their night noises.
And I heard a collective “Wow!” from the crowd who had gathered at a nearby park.
The air felt heavy, as if the humidity had increased to 150%, and I was wearing it like a blanket.
Less than a minute after it started, the sun was shining brightly through the trees again.
And as it was all happening, I was shooting pictures of the mosaic art on the deck.
What a fascinating experience!

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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Dreams and the Unexplainable

I’ve worked my whole life in service to others. I’ve been in support roles in banks, in a worldwide distribution center, and in a mental health center. And I work with private clients in various capacities, helping them with child care, elder care, home organization, and office management, among other things.

I thrive on helping individuals, organizations, and companies succeed, find their purpose, and realize their dreams.

All the while, my own dreams have had to sit on the back burner for a while.

My dream has been to have my words matter, to have my writings help and encourage people. I’ve written as long as I can remember being in this world, and if something I wrote brings joy to someone, or validates them, takes their breath away, or makes them feel something so deep that they’re moved to tears, it would mean so much to me.

A few years ago, in an effort to try to push ahead with my dream, I submitted a story to a publishing company. And after a while, I had totally forgotten about it.

But this Tuesday, August 1st, I was reminded about that submission. I got an email that changed everything:

“Congratulations! Your story “Reaching Out” has been selected to appear in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Dreams and the Unexplainable. The book is now on its way to the printer! Thank you for helping us share happiness, inspiration, and wellness in this book by allowing us to publish your story.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Dreams and the Unexplainable is scheduled to be available in bookstores September 26, 2017.”

That’s a pretty good way to start the day, isn’t it?!?

And I’m especially honored that, out of thousands of submissions, my story about my dad made it into the finals. I lost my dad in 1991. And this is an amazing, sweet story about how my dad reached out to me from the other side, guiding me…

It’s a new day. I’m a published author. And life is good!