Amor

I love to share stories that make me smile.

Last week I put out requests for friends to read my manuscript and write a pre-publication review in exchange for a free book upon printing. Several friends responded that they would help me out.

One friend, Dawn, I’ve known for over twenty years from our time in Maryland. She watched Roma grow from that mischievous seven-year-old, until she last saw him when she met us at the shock trauma hospital the night Roma fell from that ladder. She also read the manuscript of my first book and encouraged me to get it published.

Here’s the email she sent me shortly after I emailed her the word document. I share her email with her permission. All text in red are Dawn’s words.

So, I was sitting here reading your manuscript. And one thought leads to another. 

It’s February and I started thinking of the date and then realized one of my friends has a birthday coming up. I didn’t hear from her over Christmas and I need to get in touch with her.  From my computer, where I’m sitting reading your manuscript, I looked over at a picture in the dining room of her mother and my father–they met in the Philippines during WWII. It’s the lower right picture. And I noticed something else I had hung on the wall near it. Take a look.

As I enlarged the picture to understand Dawn’s reference, I noticed she had sent another.

She continued,

I couldn’t believe it. Wow! 

A little later, I realized that I needed to email (her son) Tommy. So, I was telling him about your new book, “Spell Roma Backwards.”  – I love that! –  And, I sent him these same pictures. Mama gave him this in high school I think, but he didn’t want to keep it when he moved on and out of the house. I thought it was so pretty so I kept it and hung it up, years ago.

As I was telling Tommy your story, I zoomed in on the photo, and said to him, Oh wow. I didn’t see it before, I could only see “Amor” clearly from where I sat. Guess what it says in Spanish? 

“Pero el mejor de ellos es el Amor”

“But the Greatest of These is Love”  – The name of Debbie’s first book. 

And it includes the name of Debbie’s new book, “Spell Roma Backwards”  – (Amor!) 

How ’bout that?

———-

Debbie. Amazing. I just sat here for a moment. And thought about Roma. And how he keeps giving sweet memories. And you. How you just pull everything together.

I just had to share this with you. 

Love you and all you do! ♥️☺️

Dawn

I am so grateful to God for showing up with some needed encouragement when I am overwhelmed by the tedious drudgery of these last requirements of getting a book ready for publication. It’s been a slog, but every step brings me closer to completion.