A Christmas Story

Christmas is a time we get lost in giving gifts.  We monetize, materialize and forget what the season really means.

I believe gifts should be shared every day.  And when I found out I was becoming a mother, shortly after Christmas thirteen years ago, I instantly knew the one gift I wanted to give that child.  If nothing else, my child would have self-confidence.

This year, I learned how valuable that gift is, not only to my son, but for me and anyone who knows him as well.

You see, he started middle school this September.  And I was terrified-more scared than sending him to kindergarten, to be honest.  Why?  Because we all know how fragile self-esteem is and how easily preteens and teens destroy one another's identity of self-commonly referred to as BULLYING.


So, when my confident, fedora wearing sixth grader stood at his bus stop, on his first day of school, I cringed.  A lesson was sure to be learned from this and it was going to be painful.  I figured he'd be ridiculed.  Part of me hoped he'd influence others into wearing hats, but I seriously had my doubts.

My boy reported he didn't care what others thought.  And I prayed my efforts at positive self-image and years of praise was enough to keep him that way.

Sure enough, it was.  Not only have others in his school taken to wearing fedoras, but they've even named them after him.  And my boy is neither boastful nor embarrassed to admit he makes a difference in this world.

But it was an event this week that truly had me in tears and chokes me up each time I think about it.

Wearing his silly Christmas hat, he climbed onto the bus this regular school day.  To his delight, the whole bus crew shouted, "Merry Christmas!"  Upon arriving at his seat, he found a new hat waiting for him.

The expression on his face as he told the story warmed my soul.  And every time I think about it, I fall apart all over again.  Is this the result of my efforts?  Does he carry with him the gift I swore he would have that Christmas in 1997?  Maybe.  Or maybe not.  I'd like to take credit, but something told me, way back when he was still in my womb, that something was special about this child.

So, really, he has been a gift to me, and possibly the whole world.  Our family has always called him Mr. President, for reasons I can't really explain, except that it fits him.

As 2011 approaches, I dream of speaking loudly about these positive things.  I'm tired of the negativity in this world and my fedora wearing boy inspires me to work that much harder.  Thank you, Doug, for being the person you are in my life.  Merry Christmas to you and all the people you touch every day.

Secret Number One

So here it begins, the start of secret list. It's sort of funny to me how I decided at this time of giving to finally...well...give to myself.

But the truth is: I started writing to learn about me. I continue writing, because learning NEVER ends.

Okay, here it is: SECRET NUMBER ONE

I don't like the smell of Christmas trees.

And I desire to spend at least ONE Christmas in Disney World!


It's not that I have anything against the odor of evergreens, but it lacks that reminiscent warm feeling for me that so many others talk about.

I wonder if it's because my family had fake Christmas trees while I was growing up. I don't have BAD memories of Christmas. As a matter of fact, I have some pretty great thoughts about the holiday as a child. My mom always went out of her way to make sure the season was special. And I absolutely LOVE creating new memories with my critters.

And that leads me to my next thought, Christmas in DISNEY! Why? Because it's warm. Maybe I'm seeing the grass as greener on the 'other side' but truthfully, I hate snow. The song "White Christmas" makes me cringe. Blech! The photo above was taken in November 2009 at Disney World. I felt more Holiday spirit there, in a tank top and shorts, than I ever could wearing snow boots and gloves at home. And somehow, I don't think the novelty would wear off after a few years. Go ahead! Prove me wrong! ;)

Maybe both of these truths show more about me than I'm ready to realize. But I know next year, when I go to Disney in November, I'm bringing the song below with me. And instead of Santa, I'm going to ask Mickey for all of the things listed on "My Grown Up Christmas List."

The Time has Come

I am a girl.  But not any girl.  I am JUST A GIRL.

What does that mean?  I don't know quite yet, except that I have written the book.  And that's its title: JUST A GIRL.

But I'm also a woman.

And a nurse.

And a wife.

And a mother.

And a friend.

And an auntie.

And...the list goes on and on.

So what does JUST say?

I'm only starting to figure that out for me.  And I'm about to give all my secrets away.  Because "I need another story.  Something to get off my chest...."-OneRepublic

Another web site!

In January, I entered a contest at KidLit. The winners are absolutely amazing and they deserve every second of recognition they get. And even if I don't win, I still found a website that will help me so much in my quest to secure an agent.

But in February, I found something extraordinary. Via Twitter, which I resisted for a long time, I found this great resource, writer and marketing expert, Georgia McBride. She hosts chats on Twitter and maintains an online community that rocks for YA authors, called YALITCHAT.

It was because of one of her chats on Twitter, that I first heard about a publishing house that caught my interest, Teen Fire. And by becoming more involved, I found my contest for February AND an adventure for March.

Yes, people, I will be going back to NYC for the launch party of Teen Fire. It is going to be held during the week of the NYC Teen Author Festival. Another amazing opportunity, I might add.

Are the golden bricks finally falling into place for me? Yes, I do believe the great Emerald City and Oz are not that far away anymore. I know I still have a lot of work to do, but each step fills me with excitement and reminds me that I am meant to be a writer of YA fiction!!!