The past few weeks have been something of a whirlwind around here. I wish I had some great revelation to share today, but the truth is, I think my brain is on hiatus. Friday, I turned in the first draft of the third book in my Sweethaven series. It's called A Sweethaven Christmas, and it was so much fun to write. I told Adam right after I hit "send", "I'm kind of starting to feel like a real writer now."
Kind of.
It's still completely surreal to walk into Barnes and Noble and see this:
And even more surreal to see this:
And, if it's possible, still MORE surreal to do this:
If you look closely you'll see my lipstick on the table. Dry lips are my biggest pet peeve. I keep chapstick or lipstick on hand at all times.
And I took that sign with me. I'm going to hang it in my office.
This whole journey has taught me SO much about God's goodness. Starting from the second we began talking about moving from Illinois to Colorado and leading right up until this point. And farther back than that, really...
It's been a long and winding road, and I have a feeling I'm still in the middle of it...
It's funny but since we moved, I really haven't struggled with homesickness. I think that's largely because I get to see this every day:
And also because I'm nestled in with these guys:
Photo by LyndseyLew Photography
But going back home for my signing and launch party, and being received and supported the way I was, it was one of the biggest blessings of this whole journey. It remined me that it's okay to have your heart in two places...and it reminded me that there are things about Illinois that I REALLY miss.
Like THIS view, which took my breath away just like Lake Loveland does...
And this one, which always feels like home to me...
(my parents' yard and my dad's man-cave, where he does all his woodworking projects.)
Being away has reminded me of the legacy of these two people:
My grandparents have been married many, many years and being away makes me wonder, have I gleaned everything I possibly can from them? About a month ago, they were struck by a truck walking to mass...and this weekend, my grandma had a stroke.
It's hard to be thousands of miles away when things like that happen...
It's also hard to be away from these hoodlums:
The kids we got to hang out with during our time directing for CYT.
Being away has reminded me that it's okay to miss the people and places you left behind. It's okay to reminisce on the good things, because they are a part of your story, a part of who you are.
For a long time, I wouldn't let myself think about those things...because I hate feeling sad.
I guess going home, signing books, celebrating my launch, throwing a party, seeing old friends... I guess I've emerged with something different than sadness...I've emerged with nostalgia and joy and gratitude...
Mostly gratitude.
Because that old saying is true..."I'll not say goodbye, but rather, I carry you in my heart..."
Every single day, these things, these people, they're carried with me...reminding me every time I think on them that I am truly blessed.
And there's nothing more humbling than that.
