I'm Not the Girl I Used To Be

 

I have become keenly aware of the ways women interact with and judge one another on social media. It's made me think about what I say to and about other women. Ladies, women in this country have had a hard-fought struggle to be taken seriously and created as equals to men in both the business and social arenas. What spurred me to write this editorial--I see it as more than a blog posting--were the Facebook posts about the upcoming Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks) tour. It's been a while, and those three women have changed and matured. But both men and women have been brutal in their judgements of Natalie Maines because she has clearly put on a little weight. Most women, at least those I know, put on weight as we age. It is, for many, a part of growing into becoming a mature woman. There's a lot of science behind why this happens, and I'm not going into all that. Look it up.

I have a few thoughts on this. One is that social media has opened a door for people to say anything about anyone at any time. It provides the illusion of a safe distance, though many people show their true identity on social media. Many are also showing their true nasty sides. It started with politics. I'm not going there, just saying I think that opened a door for people. Now it's often a free for all pile on and attack. It's sad to see people devolve into this behavior. It's really sad to me to see women behave this way toward other women. We're all in the same struggle, girls.

I'm seventy-six now. Something I cannot wrap my head around. I'm not the girl I used to be. She was thin and shy and mostly carefree. I'm no longer so thin, thankfully not so shy, and possibly even more carefree. I no longer worry about pleasing other people or making a good impression. The gift of growing older is that we have the opportunity to become the woman we're meant to be. If we're lucky, we live long enough to grow into that woman. And sometimes that woman comes with not just changes of perspective and understanding, but with physical changes. Some have had health issues that changed their bodies. Some struggle with weight--one way or the other. None of us women are the girls we used to be. At least, I hope not. 

But I'm seeing the 'mean girls' pop up in Facebook comments all the time. There is a viciousness to their comments about other women's appearance. This is high school mean girl crap all over again. So I assume some of those women are still the girls they used to be, and they weren't that pretty inside to start with. It's sad, really.

As for the juvenile comments made by men, I can only assume they are either ignorant, insecure, and/or lonely. Guys, this isn't how you make yourself look attractive to women--by tearing down another woman. You're clearly stuck in your own high school mentality.

I don't know Natalie Maines personally. What I know of her is that she is a bright, talented, and outspoken woman. She's probably secure enough and too polite to bother telling you self-appointed judges to shove it. I'm not that polite. But I did learn one thing during my time living in the south. I learned to say, "Bless your heart." And if you think that's a blessing, you're dumber than I thought.

Now, stop acting like ten-year-olds on the playground. Grow up and focus on something truly important. Maybe consider for a moment that someone else might be judging you at this very moment. Because, trust me, you are not immune and off limits.

I'm not the girl I used to be, but I'm really happy with the woman I've become.

Do I Hear 55?

 55? You heard  me right. Book #55 is hot off the press and now available at Amazon.com. Remnants of the Storm took me back to my writing roots in Women's Fiction.

The story centers around Claire Teagan and her troubled relationship with her seventeen-year-old son Ben. Claire's marriage to Richard, her ex-husband, had been contentious, and Ben had witnessed the many storms that raged between them. When Claire and Richard divorced, Ben, then fifteen, chose to live with his father. Claire didn't fight him on this, but did ask for visitation. After Richard moves his company from Pittsburgh to Charleston, the distance between Claire and Ben widens.

Everything shifts when Claire receives a late-night phone call from Richard letting her know Ben has been critically injured in an accident. She takes the first flight to Charleston leaving her return open-ended. She's not going to stand back this time and let her son go. She's withstood many storms and can stand in this one with Ben whether he accepts her or not. After all, she and Ben are both remnants of the storm.

Now available in ebook and paperback at  Amazon.com

Every Cover Tells A Story--Or Should

I love searching for a book cover for a new story. How do I decide on the cover that works? It has to fit the genre, but it also has to fit the story. I believe every cover should tell the story or, at the very least, reflect the story inside. I don’t look for works of art, and I’ve learned to shy away from covers that are too busy. I look for something original (definitely NOT generated by AI). The cover might have an image that reflects my main character, or it might be reflective of the plot or the setting of the book. But I want a cover that makes sense within the story. For example, my cover of Finding Hope. This so well reflects my main character and her journey and will give the reader an image of what the character looks like after her personal transformation.

For mystery and suspense, I chose this cover for A Private Practice because it tells you the story is about murder and police activity. And I was able to carry the theme through the next two books in the series, Child’s Play and Portal to Murder. A reader pretty much knows what to expect given these covers.

The cover for The Game tells you it’s a romance but also depicts a woman holding a football and a male baseball player in the distance. I had the artist add these two figures. In the story, Caroline plays QB for a women’s football team. J.C. is professional baseball player whose career is teetering on the brink following an injury. When I wrote the sequel, The Game Changer, I was happy to find the same basic cover presented in a different way that reflected the next shift in Caroline and J.C.’s story.

One of my favorites is the cover I designed for Almost Heaven. The little yellow cottage and white picket fence are central to the story and significant for Annie, the main character. It’s also an example of the setting becoming a character in itself.

Authors are often asked if they think the book cover is as important as the story inside. Surprisingly, I’ve heard authors say they don’t think so. I disagree. That image is the first thing a reader sees, and it should entice them to pick up the book and, hopefully, read the back blurb (also significant in selling your book). Everything about the cover is important: images, font, placement of title (and tag line, if you have one), and author name. An author once suggested to me that using the same font for your name on every book imprints your name in the mind of the reader. I can see how that works, but sometimes the font needs to change to fit with genre, if you write across genres. Font should be clean and readable, in any case. But don't be afraid to play with it a bit, the way I did with Mister Fix-It. The tools tell part of the story.

When I write a new book, I often search for a cover before the book is finished. That gives me a visual image that motivates me to keep writing. This cover for my upcoming release has kept me focused on the story with the beach setting and the symbolism of the missing roof shingles.

Over the years, I’ve changed a few covers on some of my books because I learned a lot along the way and found covers that better represented the stories, that were cleaner and more professional looking. It’s important to cover your book with something that fits the story, is appealing or intriguing, and that looks professional. Don’t write a gem of a story then wrap it up in something akin to a brown paper bag. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, make sure you have the skill and tools you need. If not, leave the work to the professionals. Hire a cover artist or find cover art sites where artists present one of a kind covers that they create (not generated with AI.) Your readers will thank you.

What to Expect in 2026

I gave myself December off. Then winter hit with a vengeance, and I had a hard time getting my mojo going. But I'm happy to say my mojo is back, and I have three very different books in the works for 2026. Stay tuned.

A Bittersweet Farewell

Some bittersweet news to start this new year. When I wrote my first book, I had no idea what to do with it. I'd only written it to see if I could write an entire book. I ended up being directed to Wings ePress by a fellow author who was published by them. Wings ePress was one of the first e-publishers in the business, founded n 2001 by a small group of women whose goal was to bring new authors and their books into the world of literature. I was proud to be a Wings ePress author for several years before making the decision to go the self-published route. I will be forever grateful to Wings for literally giving me and my books wings and for all that I learned about writing, editing, and publishing while a part of their stable of authors.

I know the decision to close was a long-thought out and painful one for the remaining owners. I know that closure is painful for the remaining authors. For many of us, it is the end of an era. I don't know that I would have gotten to the point of having written and published 54 books without their encouragement and support at the beginning. The women: Lorraine Stephens (RIP), Linda Voth, Beverly (BJ) Haynes, Pat Casey, and Marilyn Kapp (RIP) and several others along the way dedicated themselves and worked tirelessly with their authors to produce the best possible books in both ebook and paperback formats. For those of you who are feeling the pain of this decision, know that my heart is with you as you say goodbye to Wings ePress. The story of their founding and vision is extraordinary and inspiring. It's a testament to the power of a shared dream and the sacrifice to collectively make that dream a reality. If you want to read their inspiring story of how it all began, here is the link: Wings ePress History

Looking to 2026: What if...?

I'm a firm believer as a writer that all stories begin with one question: What if....? I think that question is the key to imagination to allow us writers to create a new story, new narrative, open up new worlds regardless of what genre we write. As I sit here on New Year's Eve morning, reflect on the past year and ponder the coming year, I find myself considering that same question: What if...?

What if we all agreed to a cease fire of sorts? What if we stopped being fearful of differences in race, religion, orientation, gender and just accepted one another--let go of those things that divide us--the things about others that don't really hurt me. What if we embraced the richness of those differences? What if we agreed that every human being has the right to access to health care and the kinds of help they need to live a healthy life? What if we all agreed that if everyone paid their fair share according to their abilities, we could build a stronger society? What if we all agreed that education was important enough not to make it a financial burden but to make it an opportunity for all?

What if we agreed that women have a rightful place in this society and that they have the same rights as men to make decisions over their own bodies? What if we agreed that, based on our history as a country, we find ways to welcome strangers and refugees and those seeking a better life among us and help them create that better life rather than punishing them for wanting it? What if we truly had the just system we have so long proclaimed to have? What if we saw science not as something phony or evil but as a tool to help us build a better society for all?

What if we just stopped being so angry and hateful and afraid of the imagined bogeyman and agreed to live together in peace? There are so many what ifs that we could consider that would give us all a better and more peaceful life if we weren't so fearful and stubborn and angry all the time. What are we so afraid of?

What am I afraid of? I'm afraid that this new and possible narrative is just another work of fiction, a pretty story for the books but not for reality. And that makes me sad.

I hope that you will consider the possibilities and do whatever you can to change just one thing to create this world in 2026 and make it a kinder, gentler, more accepting and welcoming place.

                                                                    Peace, Linda

It Wasn't Meant to Become a Series, But...

 If there is one thing I've learned in these past twenty + years of writing, it is that you never know where a story or a character will take you. Way back in the beginning of this writing thing, I submitted a short story to a contest in Writer's Digest. The story received an honorable mention. Then a friend read the story and suggested it really should be developed into a novel.

Okay, well, I considered that for a few years. Then one day, I opened the file and began to tease out the story. The book, A Private Practice was born and the character of Detective Susan Wycoff took the lead. It was not until five years later that I got the inspiration to follow up with another Det. Susan Wycoff suspense and published Child's Play. I thought that was that.

But, no. Another story wiggled its way into my brain and, all of a sudden, I've written a series featuring Pittsburgh police detective Susan Wycoff. Portal to Murder was published last month.

Where did the idea come from? I was visiting Dublin, Ireland last fall. I read about portal art installations that had been set up to link cities around the world where people could interact in real time. I didn't get to see the one in Dublin, but of course the 'what if' idea that starts all stories struck: What if a family on vacation in a city that had a portal installation connecting to Pittsburgh arranged to meet at the portal with a friend on the Pittsburgh side? And what if they witness a brutal murder? And just like that, the plot for Portal to Murder was born.

So, now I've written a suspense series. I'm not saying there will be a fourth  book. And I won't say there won't be, because I never intended to write a series in the first place. All three are available on Amazon.com

I enjoy writing strong women, and Susan Wycoff is no exception. The books can each be read as a stand-alone, but you have to read all three books to fully appreciate the way Susan finds a balance between her strength and her willingness to be vulnerable. That might have a little bit to do with Detective Donovan Casey.

Follow the Amazon link to get the series and stock upon your winter reading.

Nothing Like Birthing a New Book

 Ask any author. There is no rush like the rush of having a new book go live. Today my 53rd book published. It never gets old. Writing is truly a labor of love, or it should be. If it's just a labor, you're either doing it wrong or shouldn't be doing it at all. Writing requires passion and a love for telling a good story. Even though it is work, it should be fun. At least this is my perspective. When writing is no longer fun, when it takes more than it gives back, I'll no doubt stop. But until that happens, I'll keep riding the wave of the rush I get from seeing that next book publish.

And here it is--that next book. Troublemaker is a romantic comedy that's sure to give you a chuckle and maybe even elicit a tear or two.

Cassidy Devlin is good at her job brokering business mergers and acquisitions. She gets the big promotion she thinks she wants, but she can’t celebrate having destroyed someone else’s dream to get there. She walks away and goes to the only place she’s been that gives her a sense of peace. 

Dr. Colton Tillman was a partner in a well-established pediatric medical practice in Philadelphia and engaged to marry. His life was falling into place. Until his fiancée sleeps with his business partner, then the same business partner sells out their practice to a large medical system. Colton returns to his hometown to lick his wounds and let his mother pamper him while he finds a way to start over. 

When their attempts to start over collide, Cass proves to be nothing but trouble for Colton. But it turns out, a little trouble can make life interesting.

Available at Amazon.com and at Smashwords.com

Reader's House Literary Magazine Interview

What a gift it was to get the email notice on Mother's Day of this posted article and interview in Reader's House Literary Magazine (UK). I am over the moon.

"Linda Rettstatt stands as a luminous force in contemporary literature, weaving together tales that resonate deeply with readers’ hearts and souls. As an award-winning and bestselling author, she triumphantly bridges the genres of women’s fiction, romance—both contemporary and later-in-life—suspense, regional historical fiction, and light paranormal storytelling. Her accolades speak volumes, with outstanding novels such as Love, Sam and Ladies in Waiting earning prestigious recognition through the EPIC eBook Awards. Celebrating the remarkable milestone of her 50th published book in August 2024, Linda has firmly established herself as a gifted storyteller whose works explore the profound depth of human emotions, relationships, and reinvention.

What makes Linda’s writing truly exceptional is her ability to breathe life into her characters, crafting individuals with complexities, flaws, and redeeming qualities that mirror the intricacies of real life. Whether it’s the diverse group of women in Ladies in Waiting, each with their poignant secrets and powerful journeys, or the themes of forgiveness and unconditional love masterfully explored in Unconditional, Linda’s stories are a testament to her understanding of the human psyche. Her background in social work and psychotherapy adds a distinctive emotional richness to her narratives, enabling her to artfully delve into the motivations, vulnerabilities, and triumphs of her characters."           

                                               Reader’s House Literary Magazine – 10 May, 2025

Read the full interview here: Reader's House Interview

And Then They Came for the Libraries

 I try to keep my professional social media pages and this blog free of politics. But nothing is safe right now. If you don't want to proceed, then have a great day. It doesn't matter which political position you take, you can't be oblivious to what has been happening in our country. One of the things targeted to get the ax is federal funding for libraries. This, along with the hatchet job on the Department of Education, speaks volumes about the administration's values for education and learning.

Libraries are not just shelves of books to be checked out, read, and returned. Libraries provide a haven for people who need assistance of all types--computer access (and sometimes classes on computer use), social gatherings in book clubs or for arts & crafts programs, opportunities to meet authors who inspire and entertain, and a source of information on resources to improve lives. There's probably much more. In some neighborhoods, the library is a safe place for children to gather and learn and to socialize.

Libraries are mostly funded by city and county taxes. Federal funding helps pay for things like workforce training, supports pilot programs and basic services such as computer and internet access, particularly in rural areas. Eliminating this funding will seriously impact the services available through our libraries.

As a child, I spent many hours in my local public library. It's still standing mostly as it was back in the fifties, but with a new room addition to serve teens and provide services to the community. The love of reading was instilled in me there, as was the opportunity to be a part of a teen community service group that met there. This little library played a big role in shaping who I am today. And it continues to do so in my hometown.

The Brownsville (PA) Free Public Library

Now, I can't begin to explain this war on education and learning. Nothing makes much sense to me right now. So, what can we do? Get involved. Support your local library. Write and call your representatives and senators and plead--no, demand--they work to protect libraries. To me, at least, the public library stands as the last bastion of civility in our society. Don't let this be taken away from us, and especially not from our children.

2025 is here--now what?

 Well, here it is--2025. So much uncertainty in the world. One thing I'm sure of. Coming soon: Saved by Sophie (Women's Fiction w/romance sub-plot).

Emma Lee Gracen is running from her past, but the ghosts continue to haunt her. It only seems fitting that she ends up stuck at an auto salvage yard in the middle of nowhere in Georgia. It’s ironic that the place she lands in is called Hope Corner. And it seems a cruel play of fate when the one man she meets who understands her pain, Harp Gentry, is just as broken as she is.

Release the past;

Embrace the present;

Lean into the future.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Wishing all of you (family, friends, readers) a Happy New Year. Things may or may not be as you or I would like them to be but, remember, books are a wonderful escape and mine all have a happy ending. Cheers!

Funnelling Your Feelings into Your Writing

 

Okay, fellow writers, I know you know what I'm talking about. You're minding your own business, working away on your next brilliant work of literary art and--BAM--life happens. An event stirs up anger or sadness or frustration. Now you're distracted and can't keep up with the flow of your story. I had this happen recently with an event that stirred up a rage in me the likes of which I've not experienced for a while. (I can say now it was an overreaction, but this election has me on my last nerve.) The fact that this occurred on a Friday when I had no access to address the situation until Monday only added to my furor and frustration. When I sat to continue writing my current story, my mind was consumed by the seeming injustice of my situation and my inability to resolve it immediately. So I became even more frustrated that I couldn't write the scene I'd been working on.

Once I cooled down enough to think somewhat clearly, I realized I had a scene to write for my characters that required rage and anger for one of the characters. I moved ahead to writing that scene that I knew was coming up, and I infused all the anger and frustration I was feeling into my character and wrote it out. Not only did it help to diffuse my own rage somewhat, it gave my character a depth to her anger that made it more believable.

Writing devoid of true emotion falls flat, and it can be a challenge to summon up deep emotions if we're just not feeling it. It's our job to do so, of course. But I'm suggesting we not waste the emotions we find ovewhelming us at times when they can be used productively. This isn't limited to anger, frustration, or sadness. You might have a character who is overjoyed by something, ecstatic, or just plain happy.

We've all heard the recommendation: write what you know. Well, trust me, this past Friday I KNEW rage and frustration. And my character benefitted from my situation. I benefitted from pouring out some of those emotions, and I was able to make my character's reactions more realistic.

Am I suggesting this as a simple form of therapy for writers? No. Some situations aren't that easily resolved. I'm not intending to downplay the depth of our emotions. I'm suggesting that, if you can and as those emotions consume you, if only for a short time, use them.

People often ask at panel discussions or book signings, "How much of you is in your characters?" I personally believe a lot of me is in my characters because I have, in a way, given birth to them. Using my world view and emotional responses can be a part of that, too.

Write true, and write deep.

                                Linda

Coming Soon--My 50th Book!

It's starting to get real now. My 50th book is finished and will be released on August 7. No accident that that is also my birthday. It was twenty years ago on August 7 that I got an email offering me my first publishing contract. It seems only fitting to release my 50th book at that time, too. I have two launches coming up for A Well-Imagined Life. The first is at a private birthday/launch party on August 10. The hard launch is in Brownsville, PA--my hometown--on August 17 at the Peter J. Daley Cultural Center and sponsored by the Mon Valley Academy for the Arts.

If you're in the Brownsville area, please stop by and say hello. Get a book signed while you're at it.

 

Readers Make Writers

 

We writers are nothing without readers. That's a fact. It's not only about book sales. Readers need to know that we thrive on more than sales. We thrive on reviews, on the social media comments you leave about our work, and on those emails readers sometimes take the time to write to us. I love hearing from a reader who has been touched by one of my books and who takes the time to tell me about their experience. That kind of feedback is fuel to us writers. It gives us energy and purpose and motivation to keep going.

I had one book--Unconditional--blow my sales numbers out of the water over the last two months. It's not a new book by any means. I've not been actively promoting the book. I don't know who started the fire that sent the sales of Unconditional climbing. I do know that a few people left ratings and reviews on Amazon. Those meant the world to me, to know that my book touched your hearts

So, readers, please don't ever think you're not important to us writers, that your comments and feedback and encouragement isn't important to us. It's ofthen the very thing that keeps us going to write the next book.

As for myself, I thank all my readers and fans. You make my world brighter and keep me going.

Linda

Writing for Women? What about the guys?

 

I recently invested a few dollars to purchase this banner for my upcoming book events. In designing the banner, I weighed out using the Writing for Women logo I've used for years.

When I first started publishing, I needed a tag line for my work, something to make it easily identifiable. One TV network that was popular at the time was Lifetime-Television for Women. I started out writing women's fiction, and so adopted the phrase:  Writing for Women.  As I broadened my writing into other genres and sub-genres, I discovered my books have one thing in common--they are stories of strength, love, humor, and/or hope. It doesn't matter if it's women's fiction, romance, mystery/suspense, or paranormal. The one thing that is always important to me is that my stories are positive and offer a happy ending.

I always enjoy stories that present engaging characters that draw me into their stories. And, so, I strive to create characters who do the same--characters that are real, that struggle, that overcome, and that embrace life with joy and hope.

My stories are not literary fiction so much as commercial fiction across a variety of genres. They're intended to entertain, to comfort, to encourage, and to make the reader smile. If they give you something to think about, that's a good thing too.

Now, I've been asked about my Writing for Women logo. Does that mean my writing rules out male readers? Not at all. I've written a few suspense novels that would appeal to most men. But I try not to sell men short. I think a man could easily identify with my heros and enjoy their stories. I was asked once at a booksigning, "You say your books are written for women, so I should just give one to my wife?" To which I replied, "Women will relate to and enjoy my books. But that doesn't mean a man can't learn something useful from them." He bought the book, promising to read it first.

This year, in a few months actually, I will produce my 50th novel. I'm proud of the books and stories I've written. I say that with all honesty and without arrogance. I know my writing is not perfect. No one's is. I admit to sometimes feeling like a well-kept secret in the literary world.

I very much look forward to rolling out A Well-Imagined Life, my fiftieth novel, in early August. The date coincides with my 75th birthday. I shudder at that number and cannot wrap my head around it. But it is what it is.

I hope you will help me celebrate these twenty-two years of writing and read one or two or forty of my books. And, yes guys, there will be something there for you, too.

AMAZON.COM

To all of my faithful readers, I thank you so much. You make it all worthwhile.

We're All in This Together

 

So I had an idea--why not call together a group of romance authors and then offer a panel discussion and book signing event to local libraries? I don't know a lot of authors in the Pittsburgh area yet, so I put out a general call through Pennwriters to see if anyone would be interested. Bam--I had seven more authors to round out the eight-author panel.

Now that I had eight interested authors, what might we do? I sent out queries to a half dozen local libraries. The first to respond was the Peters Township Public Library in McMurray, PA. It's a beautiful space with a wonderfully warm and friendly staff of people.

(I'm way down at the end, next to last.)

We had a packed house of 60+ folks for the panel discussion. And these authors did not fail to entertain and enlighten. What struck me most--and I only knew two of these folks prior to the event--was the way these authors, all of us, respected and supported one another. At the end of the panel discussion, the authors went into the lobby to their tables to sell and sign books. But throughout this event, every author was generous and kind and supportive of the other authors present.

I overhead a patron tell Sydney Krawiec, Program and Outreach Coordinator, that she'd attended many author panels and that this was by far her best experience. I was stunned when Sydney said her comment meant a lot because this was the first author panel she'd moderated there. You could have fooled me.

I so appreciate how the library stepped up to support us local authors. I was impressed by the way the authors were gracious and attentive to one another--supportive rather than competitive. These events are so much fun when everyone is in this together.

What Can You Do?

I went out to shovel the walkway and driveway. That part is our responsibility. While I'm working at the top of the driveway, a man comes down the hill with a shovel, says not a word, and sets to work clearing the lower part. Finally, I say thank you and ask if he lives across the street. I don't know all of our neighbors very well. No, he lives up a few units and, I realize, is the same man--whose name I learn is Ron--who helped Sue Ann with the trash cans one day. He could only work for a few minutes because of an online meeting, but did what he could. I continue to shovel and our neighbor, Peter, comes over to help. He'd done his driveway earlier.

This got me to thinking. Often we see an issue that needs to be resolved or a person who needs help and, perhaps, we think, "No point in getting involved because I can't solve the problem." But often we can do something to alleviate the problem. I saw someone in my area on Nextdoor asking about where they might be able to get food for their family. People gave several suggestions of Food Pantries (most of which are probably closed today because of the weather.) I can't stock a family pantry, but I have enough food here for a meal or two, so I told them to contact me if they still need food. Our freezer is full, and we could manage for weeks probably, several days at least. I don't want to see a need and turn away because I can't meet the need completely. I'd like to be the person to offer to do what I can. If enough of us do what we can, the problem can be solved.

Another Year, Another Wish for Peace

It's the first day of a new year. Snowflakes are drifting down to whiten the grass and coat tree limbs and the top of the fence. It's almost noon, and I'm still in my pjs. No planes have zoomed over in the hour I've been here. It's quiet. Peaceful. So much so, it's hard to believe that outside the house, in other places out in the world, wars are raging and people are dying--for what? Power? Hatred? Refusal to accept one another? I think those in power all need to come and sit with me in this quiet space. Watch the few snowflakes falling. Listen to the sound of peace and quiet. Breathe it in. Let your soul feel what peace can be like.

Wishing you peace in the coming year.

                                                                     Linda

Celebrate Every Day...and Every One

 My previous post was about a man named Jackie Conner who was celebrated by my (and his) hometown recently. You can read that post to get the whole story. What I learned today is that Jackie passed away yesterday

He had been celebrated just a little over three weeks ago with a parade and a lot of fanfare. He was shown the love and gratitude of family and friends and strangers, although no one was a stranger to Jackie once he met them.

We can put off telling or showing others how special they are and what they mean to us. We think there is always tomorrow. But tomorrow is not guaranteed. How wonderful that people rallied to celebrate Jackie's life while he was still here to enjoy the party.

The lesson in all of this: Celebrate life every day. Celebrate others...every one...every day. You don't have to throw a big parade with miles of fire trucks and a marching band--though that was what Jackie loved the most. If you just do what Jackie did best--welcome the stranger, let family members and friends know they're appreciated, and most of all show up.

Godspeed, Jackie. I can only imagine the parade that welcomed you into the next life. Fly with the angels.