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18 months ago I walked into a hotel in Orlando wondering if it would make a difference. It was the night before the 5th Lennox Gastaut Syndrome Foundation International Conference was starting and I had been invited to meet some of the other attendees ahead of the event. I usually shy away from meeting perfect
As I have mentioned, Nick often will communicate thoughts and ideas through songs and their lyrics. Today, during his morning bathing and dressing routine, it was Alan Jackson’s song, Just be Patient, I’m a Work in Progress. It made both Arden and I laugh. The idea is intriguing. The lyrics are specifically about a couple,
Yesterday was Easter Sunday, a wonderful day for our family, full of worship, food, fun and music. Nick has always been comforted by music. Even as an infant when it was difficult to soothe him, I discovered that singing to him would stop his crying. Later when he had endless doctor and therapy appointments, the
Nick is an artist. He loves to create. He doesn’t really specialize in any specific medium or modality. He loves trying them all. Through his day program, Nick and his friends get the opportunity to attend Northwest Art Center in Duvall. They offer many different experiences with art and Nick loves it. The art teachers
I often learn life lessons from watching Nick. He is unfiltered in his responses to his life experiences. We have had lots of snow on the ground since Super Bowl Sunday. And while this is common-place for many parts of the world in winter, I have never experienced this length of time dealing with snow
The holidays are a special time of the year when we recognize and celebrate generously giving to others. During this season we are unselfish as we look for places to serve others through volunteering and supporting charitable organizations. There are many opportunities in every community to spread Christmas Cheer, this special feeling that one feels
Discouragement and overwhelm seem to chase me. Yesterday I wasn’t well, and although the sun was shining, I spent the day inside recovering. This morning I woke up, still tired, but no longer sick. I opened the drapes in anticipation, only to discover that it was raining with gray skies as far as I could
The other morning we were stopped at a traffic light and Nick exclaimed, “Look mom, that man fall down.” Just as Nick said that, Arden and I both saw an older gentleman fall to the sidewalk while having a tonic-clonic seizure. Commonly called a Grand Mal seizure, they are recognized by a sudden drop to
Sometimes when the days seem hard, I seek music that will help move me through those dark times. I am grateful for the many songs that combine insightful lyrics with talented vocalists. The song writers and performers are able to express my feelings and help me remember what is important. One line of Celine Dion’s
Sometimes I have wished that kids came with an instruction manual. This is especially true when raising a child with special needs. Most parenting books are designed to help parents gain the skills and expertise needed to raise healthy, well adjusted children. Parents of kids with special needs desire that same thing, but the message
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.
