Happy News! My Memoir is a Finalist in Two Award Categories from Dog Writers Association of America

Posted by Barbara Techel

It was the beginning of the pandemic when I released my third memoir, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am – Healing Emotional Pain through the Wisdom of Animals and Oracles. While I’d contemplated holding off on the release because I just didn’t know what to expect during a time of upheaval, I made the choice to just allow what was to be, to be.

A part of me felt strongly my story fit in with what we were experiencing as we moved deeper into the pandemic as we all tried to make sense of what was happening. 

As we are nearing the close of 2020 it has become clear to me that so much of this year has been about learning to tune into our own hearts and follow the guidance that feels right for us – despite what we may hear from the outside world, which has been conflicting on so many levels.

How often we fear the judgment or rejection of others and how many of us have felt unworthy. My memoir shares my journey of exploration, uncovering, and revealing the root cause of why I felt unworthy most of my life. It was my dear and wise dachshund, Gidget, that lovingly walked beside me, mirroring for me what I needed to look at and finally heal.

While it was a journey that was filled with emotional pain unlike any I’d felt before, and it was the unseen that felt so scary at times, it was also one that as I took the necessary steps to heal from within, that my path became lighter and gave me a sense of freedom and peace I’d not experienced before in my life.

My journey with Gidget was one I have bowed in deep gratitude for often this past year. I have no doubt what she and I went through is what prepared me for this past year (thank you sweet girl. I love you so much!) While I’ve had my moments of struggle and fear like so many, I’ve also been reminded many times with a nudge in my heart from Gidget, that I have a choice to struggle or embrace peace.

So Monday morning when I saw an email from Dog Writers Association of America and the fact my book is named as a finalist in two categories, I soon saw the words I was reading a blur as tears filled my eyes. After sharing the news with John, I walked into the living room.

On what I call my ‘wall of love,’ with photos of all my dogs and of John and I, I took a moment to stroke the photo of Gidget, letting her know the special news. I thanked her once again for all she brought to me while alive and continues to in spirit.

The two categories my book is a finalist in are: Human/Animal Bond category and a special award category sponsored by Jen Reeder and Bryan Fryklund in honor of their beloved Labrador retriever mix, Rio – the Rio award is for an article, book, or essay that profiles a dog who changed someone’s life in a profoundly positive way. 

No matter the outcome, I’m deeply honored to have been placed in these two categories as a finalist. Awards will be announced during a virtual ceremony on February 14, 2021.  Any positive vibes you’d like to put out into the universe for Gidget and me and our book would be most welcome and appreciated!

All my best to all my fellow animal writer finalists. The way I see it is that we are all winners because of the love and joy we are honored to experience from our animal friends!

xo,

Barbara

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Animal Wisdom Oracle Reading – The Path Ahead – Week of Dec. 7, 2020

Posted by Barbara Techel

Enjoy this week’s animal wisdom oracle reading! The path ahead is about clearing out, honing in, and trusting your intuition.

Click here or on the graphic below to listen.

Have a beautiful week!

xo,

Barbara

Cards: Divine Dog Wisdom Cards by Barb Horn & Randy Crutcher

For a private one-to-one session:  Click here to learn more about my Wisdom in the Pause readings (just for you) or click here to learn more about my Wisdom in the Paws readings (for you and your animal friend).

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If you find this reading helpful and/or inspirational and would like to support my work I welcome donations here (Thank you!)

Where Have All the Grandma’s Gone?

Posted by Barbara Techel

Earlier in the week, I saw on Facebook that my neighbor’s daughter, Brittany, had posted the obituary of her great auntie Ole (Violet).

Ole was someone I never knew but had just met briefly about four months ago. I asked Brittany if this was the lady that lived in the cozy little white house on Washington Street? She wrote back, “Yes, she did.” 

I shared with her that I loved walking by her house. I admired the many hummingbird feeders she had around the perimeter of her home. She also often had her bedding hanging on the line in the backyard. Something I love to do too which always makes me think of sweet memories of me helping my grandma P. as she enjoyed hanging her bedding on the line too.

Through the picture window of the quaint white home with black shutters, was a tan recliner chair where I’d imagine she read or viewed favorite shows on T.V. While also a great spot to watch as people walked by.

Her house oozed the essence of a dear grandma who loved her home and the simple joys of life. 

As I mentioned, it was about four months ago that I met her briefly. I was at the grocery store waiting in line at the deli counter when I looked over and saw this short, white-haired, pretty elderly lady also waiting. I’d only seen her from a distance now and then and I wondered if this was the lady in the white house on Washington Street?

So I asked her. She smiled and said she was. How did I know? I told her how much I loved walking by her house and that I too was from Elkhart Lake.

So when I saw that she had passed away I was sad for her loss, even though I didn’t really know her. But in so many ways I felt like I did. In many ways, she reminded me of my grandma P. who I loved to visit and has been gone for a long time now. I was also surprised to learn Ole was 93-years old! She certainly didn’t look that.

The next morning, after learning of her passing, I walked by her house. Now quiet and just the echo of a life well-lived. Tears pooled in my eyes. I then looked up and in the large trees in her backyard, the moon was peeking through the branches.

I swear I saw her face on that moon. As if she was taking a moment to say one last goodbye to the home she loved and all those she nurtured and were blessed to come through her front door.

And I couldn’t help but think of the many hummingbirds who will make their flight back north in the spring and will find her now gone. So I silently let them know they are welcome to come on over to my home since having feeders ready for them is one of the things I look most forward to in Spring.

The older I get, the more I feel these pangs in my heart as the grandma’s move on and I realize I’m next in line. And I pray I get the opportunity to be that example for others just as Ole was to me of a simple life lived in a cozy home filled with love.

Rest in peace Ole.

xo,

Barbara

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