If I could, I’d sit in this chair right now with a glass of wine, a tissue in hand, and thank God for all the blessings in my life. What am I so thankful for today, you ask? Well, what started a year ago as thoughts that wouldn’t let me sleep at night, then turned into what felt like walking up the steepest hill ever every single day, to seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, to feelings of elation, doubts, questions, elation, doubts, questions, to finally elation is the major editing of my new book is complete.

I just hit the send button moments ago accepting the last major changes to my manuscript, Through Frankie’s Eyes: One Woman’s Journey to Her Authentic Self and the Dog on Wheels Who Led the Way. It’s not like I haven’t written a book before… but it is. Writing children’s books about Frankie was pretty much pure joy. Writing this book about myself and what I’ve learned in life from Frankie was challenging at times, as well as scary, fun, and thought provoking…. and I could go on and on.  But the bottom line is that after I hit the send button I felt myself grow ten feet taller.

I accomplished what I set out to do even when I wanted to quit and forget the whole thing. But what kept me going was little Frankie lying beside me as I wrote and wrote, and edited and edited and edited. I love you, girl.

It takes a team to make a book and while I have much work to do yet and more team members to bring on board, I have much to celebrate with this milestone. So for now I shall say thank you  to God for always guiding me, my hubby for listening to my ups and downs, and my mom for cheering me on every step of the way…. and for my editor, Yvonne Perry for kindly and compassionately taking me under her wing even though she is in the midst of publishing her own book, along with many other tasks on her plate.

Though I can’t sit in that particular chair in that particular field like in the photo, I will find a way to celebrate… which will likely be a walk with Frankie finding beauty in nature around me…. and once home a nice glass of wine and a celebration toast with John…. and lots of hugs for Kylie and Frankie. Simple things. Simple joy. Life is good.