Writing, Life, and The Meme Award--Thanks Theta Mom!

When my short story, "‘Til the Cows Come Home," was published in the book Hearts and Hands: Stories of Hope for Mothers I didn’t feel the joy I’d hoped to experience with publication. Due to a printing error two vital paragraphs in the piece were omitted. There were also a handful of editing errors. I held the finished book in my hands and cried.

I wanted my story to be perfect.

It wasn’t

Set in stone cold print my flawed story bore permanence—everyone will think I’m an idiot—that couldn’t be erased by friends who tried to console me. They told me that the purpose of my story, explaining my take on the connecting force between mothers and sons and families, would still shine through.

I didn’t believe them.

Then the letters and emails started to flow in. From Africa, a sweet woman at a teacher’s college, a mother in Washington, people in eastern states, the south, and some closer to home who knew me. They all said my words confirmed truths in their hearts and that the central message of the story—families are made up of independent souls struggling to find their places in the world and what holds everything together is no more, no less, than simple heart-felt love—did indeed shine through and touch their lives.

I cried again.

So very thankful to be able—missing paragraphs, editing flaws and all—to successfully convey my thoughts and emotions.

My life is a lot like that story. I have good intentions that often get lost in the translation, at least that’s what I frequently tell myself.

Especially about blogging.

Some years ago a writer friend told me that I needed to work harder at promoting myself and my work. Blogging seemed like a good option. I began back in 2005 with scant posts for the entire year:

A bit about my grandmother’s love.

A snippet from my story "Through Danny’s Window," which appeared in the book The Magic and the Miracle of Christmas, Volume I.

An account of my involvement as graphic designer for the book Sarah Jane’s Very Best Story Ever.

It was a start, and over the years I’ve gradually picked up steam—and had more fun and met more wonderful people than I ever anticipated.

I love my readers--your comments and encouragement mean the world to me.

One of many delightful people I've met in cyberspace who has impressed me with her talent and determination is Heather from Theta Mom. I enjoy reading her posts and admire her efforts; I love her definition of True Authentic Moms, and her invitation to explore the way women think about their role as mothers. When I opened email this morning to find she’d given me an award--The Meme Award--I was honored.

The rules for this award are as follows:

*Acknowledge the person who gave you the award.

*List 7 Personality Traits about yourself.

*Pass the award on to 7 other blogs that deserve recognition for the personalities that they share with the blogging world.

My 7 Personality Traits:

1. Plucky: I am often an outspoken advocate of children, the elderly, and animals. Sometimes to my husband’s chagrin. I can’t stand to see someone dishing out abuse and am apt to give them a piece of my mind. I am also prone to go to bat for the underdog and see that justice is served.

2. Creative: I'm always coming up with new projects—not just writing and art. I thought the ceiling in one room of our house was too boring so I designed a hanging arbor with lights and flowers. I love to work with texture and color and different materials. The thing that most surprises people about me is that I have my own workshop with workbench and tools. I enjoy woodworking and carving with my Dremel tool.

3. Organized: I enjoy getting people together to work together. From restoring an old train depot to helping head up relief efforts in my area for Hurricane Katrina, and other disasters, I have a passion for creating a sustaining force for the better. In my personal life I am a very a place for everything and everything in its place type of person.

4. Adventurous: I love to try new things and travel to new places.

5. Ambitious: I can never sit still. I don’t watch TV and I consider it a blessing to be able to work hard each day and accomplish things with my own two hands.

6. Compassionate: I always try to listen more than I talk, but it doesn’t always work. Still I do believe that everyone we met has something to teach us and I enjoy getting to know others.

7. Grateful: I believe my life is a gift and I am thankful for each day.

Here are my picks for blogs who have earned the Meme Award.

Web-Savy Mom

Catch the Drift

Write Moms

Here All Along

Julie Chats