In loving memory...

Three years ago, on Memorial Day weekend, by grandmother died. In her memory, I wrote a poem entitled, "Our Honey." Honey was the name I called her some forty years ago as a toddler. The name stuck, both within the family and out. As we remember and pay our respects to our loved ones who have passed on, I'd like to take this opportunity to honor one of the greatest influences in my life - our Honey.

“Our Honey”

It’s hard to express the way I feel, as I contemplate her life,

Her cheery nature, her merry laugh, through good times and through strife.

An example of faith, and expression of hope the embodiment of love,

Honey was a precious, golden gift from our Heavenly Father above.

Like music floating on the breeze, she enriched us with her smile,

Her testimony, her service to others, her benevolence without guile.

Honey taught us how to live, to love, to sing, to work, to play;

She taught us about God’s eternal plan, and showed us how to pray.

I remember her wassail, her love of Rook, the pictures on her wall,

Her nativity sets, her ceramic gifts, her concern for one and all.

I’ll cherish the times she played for us, the organ, piano, and harp,

Her love of music was passed on to us, whether our skills be flat or sharp.

Her family was her greatest love, she was happiest when we were together;

Her lifelong goal, her heart’s desire, was to be together forever.

From Christmas Eves to theater passes, to cruises out to sea,

From time shares to the Polar Express, she united our family.

Her love extended beyond the grave, through genealogy,

She worked in the temple to seal with love our entire family tree.

Now she’s gone to join the ones who have passed to the other side,

They’ve welcomed her with open arms, eyes filled with love and pride.

Now we who still remain on Earth, will miss our beautiful Honey;

But we can see her again, if we endure to the end - a treasure more precious than money.

First anniversary

The Narrows Escape was published one year ago today. I watched the second copy come off the press - which was a pretty cool experience. Of course, the greatest feeling was knowing that I had finally accomplished a lifelong dream. From the moment I started writing the first draft of The Narrows Escape, until the time it got published was just over 11 years. There were many times I felt discouraged, and several others that I thought about giving up, but I didn't. With each rejection letter, I read through my manuscript again, making small changes here, and major one there. Finally, with the help of Kent Minson and many others, I achieved my goal.

Why was I so persistent? One reason was that I didn't want all that work to go to waste. Another was that I like to accomplish what I set out to do. But the force that drove me more than any other can be summed up by the words of the song "I Was Here" by Lady Antebellum:

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ladyantebellum/iwashere.html

Although I hope that I am leaving my mark in other aspects of my life as well, my goal as an author is to somehow touch the lives of others for good. If my books can make a positive difference in the life of even one reader, then all the work will be worth it.