So what have I been up to since my last post? Much!
I frequently ponder how to be a blogger - what should I be writing about? I guess if I were a person that made New Year's Resolutions I would have to say that my resolution for 2013 would be to post something at least once a month. Test the waters you might say.
What's coming up? A book signing in Cottonwood, Arizona at the Public Library on February 6, 2013 from 11:30 am to 1pm. How did that happen? Well, we (my husband and I and our german shepherd) were on our way from Idaho to our winter destination in Brenda Arizona. The school shooting in Newtown CT had just happened a few days earlier. My heart felt heavy for all the families of those that lost their mortal lives. I know too well what it feels like to be left behind here on earth. I felt driven to do something - provide some sort of condolence. A 'must send copies of my book' message held an ever-present position in the forefront of my mind. The nearest post office was in the town of Cottonwood. So I had prepared a package of two paperbacks, one audio book and a letter written from my heart and soul. Now all I needed to do was put postage on it and send it on it's way. As we found our way to the post office we passed the public library. I turned to my husband and said "We need to go back to the library as soon as I mail this. Immediately after - no other stops." He knows when I am determined and on a mission. He replies with a little smile and asks why - pretty sure he knows what my answer will be. "I need to donate a book to this library." "That's what I thought you would say." Again, a little smile.
There seemed to be a lot of people at the post office. No surprise with it being so close to Christmas. I patiently waited in line, fighting back tears as words from my letter, from my heart, played over in my head. As I approached the clerk and handed the package over to be posted I see that the clerk has noticed the receiver's address. His eyes lifted toward me. "It's all I could think of doing to try to help. Sending copies of my book." "Your book?" he asks. "Yes." "What did you write?" As I begin to tell him that it is about losing my children and how I found happiness again I retrieve a business card from my purse and hand it to him. Tears are forming in his eyes as he places both hands on mine. A couple soft pats conveys his feelings better than any words he could say. He stuffs my business card into his shirt pocket and we finish our transaction. Collecting my change and receipt we exchange one more handshake. As I exit the post office fresh air fills my lungs and helps clear my mind. As I exhale I can feel the heaviness of the past few moments leaving me.
My husband asks how things went in there. I fill him in and he is touched. We both express our hopes that those receiving the books will find a little peace and assistance in recovering from their pain.
The public library is a short drive away. This time he goes in with me. I approach the first customer desk I see. There is a woman and a gentleman at the desk. Both great me with a smile and the woman asks if she can help me. "I would like to donate a book I've written to the library." As I hand the book to the woman she looks at the cover and then back at me. "Is this you?" "Yes." "YOU wrote this!?" "Yes." She's expressing more excitement as our verbal exchange progresses. "Oh! Do you do book signings?" "Yes I do." "Would you do one for us?!?" "Sure!" "Do you have a minute? I want to get (so-n-so)." (I've forgotten the name she gave) It was so nice to get such an enthusiastic invitation.
The one she was looking for had gone to lunch or left for the balance of the day so we exchanged email information. The book signing date was set through email communications.
And That's My Story! :)
Other things I've accomplished are:
Narrating, producing and successfully burning my book onto audio cd. What a huge learning curve that was! I have a new appreciation of those in the audio editing field of work. It took me two days to read/record my book and three weeks of many hours per day to edit what I had recorded. What a chore it was to remove every inhale and click or smack from my lips separating as I spoke, pregnant pauses, paper noise from turning pages, dog scratching in the background, frogs croaking outside, telephone rings, and making adjustments to those annoying speech patterns that I didn't know I had. The "final" product is not the best it could be, but I am pleased with what is available. I intend to dedicate more time to it and see if I can cut and paste re-recorded phrases in those places that I could not delete noise that was incorporated into the spoken words. Wish me luck!!
I have also read several books from other authors that I have met in person or on the internet through GoodReads or LinkedIn, participated in many book signing events and created - and finished! - a second quilt that had been cut out since 2005. After my son died I could not bring myself to sew or quilt so everything that was in progress has simply waited for me. It feels so wonderful to do that craft again. And I can feel my son smiling at me for getting back to it.
I certainly hope your 2013 is going along well. I'm positive that this is going to be a wonderful year!
If you like this post, I encourage you to encourage me. Post a comment, send me an email at sandrabernsen@gmail.com, or friend me on FaceBook or find me on GoodReads or LinkedIn.
May you experience many blessings in each day.
Sandra Moore Bernsen, author
"Free My Heart of Grief To Love"
