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People do things because it makes sense to them. We may not understand their perspective because we haven’t had the same life experiences. If we honestly make an effort, we may discover and learn something new. I have a few friends who have different perspective and ideas than I do. For some it is religion,
For the past four months, I have been working on the second draft of the book I am writing about raising Nick. I have such compassion for the young mother that I was. I am astounded at the things that I have been able to do over the years. I am very grateful that I
Just like most everyone I know, my calendar of scheduled appointments gets filled up. Not all of these appointments are work related, some are lunches or dinners with friends. Some of my appointments are self-care and pampering as well. My days are busy. Until something happens with Nick. Then everything changes in a moment. My
Some days for Nick are better than others. His capabilities and capacities seem to be variable. When he is having a good day, we encourage him by letting him be as independent as possible in his self-care. Sometimes if we are in a hurry or forget that he can do a task, he will remind
This past weekend, Nick had a bit of a cold. I was so grateful that he had learned to blow his nose. He was 13 then. Back in the summer of 1993, (that sounds like the beginning of a song!) we took an epic trip to Ireland with our extended family. Arden and I
Over the years, I have had many people tell me that I should write a book about my experiences raising Nick. I wondered if I would have the capacity to write it. Would our story have significance or be of value to anyone? If I went through all the time and effort, would anyone read
Yesterday as I was working on my draft rewrite of the book I am writing about being Nick’s mom, I noticed something incredible. Our lives are full of experiences that create opposing emotions. For example, Nick was almost four when Derek was born. The pregnancy was difficult for me, especially the last two months,
A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Another friend’s husband has just lost his job. Arden and I have been helping Nick learn to deal with the side affects of increasing his seizure medicine to avoid seizure clusters. These are hard things. Each of these situations bring increased stress and heightened emotions.
I was chatting this morning with a mom who’s 16-year-old daughter has the same syndrome as our Nick. She said that just when she thinks that she can’t do anymore, then somehow she keeps on going, just like the Energizer Bunny. I have an Energizer Bunny Christmas tree ornament that reminds me that I can
Every once in a while we all need a break from our typical routine. When I was a young mom, a wise man told me that “A change was as good as a rest.” We all look forward to our scheduled vacation time. However, if we are overwhelmed, anticipating our future vacation might not be
Announcing that I have finished a book with the working title of “The Fairy Fort.” I am currently pitching it to publishers. Keep checking back to watch the progress of my newest novel.
Here is a quick glimpse of the story.
Sarah Doherty is an 18-year-old living in rural Ireland at the tail end of the Great War. Plagued by severe epilepsy, she is protected by her parents and lives a sheltered, secluded, lonely life. The Fae, local Irish fairies, interfere with her life. She falls forward a century in time through the local fairy fort of standing stones. She had a seizure in 1918 and woke up in 2020. The 21st century world includes life-saving prescriptions, physical comforts and the independence and freedom she seeks. The locals are welcoming and Andy Mclaughlin, a handsome young historian, is intriguing. She doesn’t want to return home.
Then a letter arrives from Boston divulging the story of Sarah and Andy’s lives that are deeply entwined in the previous century. They are not yet in love but as they seek to verify the letter through online resources, they feel a growing obligation to their unborn family and to each other. What would happen to their posterity living in Boston if they don’t return to 1918? Even if they do make it back, her parents can never know what happened to her or that would change everything.
This Young Adult time-travel romance explores the question: Do we have the freedom to make choices or is free will an elaborate illusion?
This is my third book. I love reading time travel romances. I am an advocate for epilepsy awareness because my 43-year-old son has intractable epilepsy. As a genealogist specializing in Irish research, I live part of the year in the village where the story is based. I wrote the book to help young adults understand that difficult situations can change your life. Sometimes miraculously.
