Beyond the Now

Life tosses us many surprises — some we celebrate and others that disappoint. As I await the publishing of my third book, I find myself hoping for a pleasant surprise…but who knows? Will it be joyful news or another lesson in patience?

As we age, we hope we’ve learned something from the surprises and disappointments life has handed us. I find I am more patient now with my timing versus whatever timing life delivers. The greatest lesson I have learned is not to give up hope. There is always a way — it just may not be the way I thought was best.

With my first book, Doors Open From Both Sides, my daughter and I ventured out to gauge interest while the manuscript was still unfinished. After fourteen submissions, we received one call from a small North Carolina publisher who loved our concept and writing. We were thrilled. For several months, we worked with him, editing and completing the manuscript.

Then, just as we felt ready to publish, he called to say he could not see the topic being a sound financial decision for his small company. He assured us, however, that we would find the right publisher because he believed in the book.

I remember the extreme disappointment — as if I had lost a battle.

Yet I soon realized that, thanks to this wise and generous publisher, we had completed the manuscript and prepared it for print. Not wanting to lose momentum, we chose a vanity press, brought the book to market, and to our surprise, sales soared. Invitations to speak at conferences and gatherings related to the book’s theme soon followed.

Then came the surprise we never expected: a larger, well-known publisher contacted us to purchase the rights. Our small book became a new entity — with a new title, I’ll Miss You Too, a new cover, and a much larger audience.

None of it happened the way we anticipated.

I wish I remembered the name of the small publisher who helped make that dream possible. I would reach out today just to say thank you.

Funny how things go.