A Family Legacy

Finally, presenting Spell Roma Backwards.

Over the holidays, Bruce and I enjoyed having all eleven grandchildren, three children, and their spouses at our house. Most were here for six days and nights. The house was bursting at the seams, and I cooked a lot for always-hungry children. We all tucked away precious memories of our time together. I always feel Roma’s absence. This feeling is especially strong when I fix mashed potatoes, his favorite, and we arrange ourselves on the staircase for our obligatory annual staircase photos without him.

I was in the kitchen, as I was most of my time, when four granddaughters joined me talking teenage stuff. I remember why I enjoyed subbing at a high school; the teens conversed with me like I was their trusted friend. They were telling stories, and soon I was sharing stories. My stories often slide sideways to Roma stories. The oldest of these four girls was only seven when Roma left for Heaven. They lived so far away, they hardly knew Roma. As I was telling a favorite tale, I noticed all eight eyes were fixed on me, intently listening. Those expressions of interest confirmed that Roma’s stories are interesting and sometimes hard to believe. I brought the tales in for a landing with how God was always with Roma and with me. I want them to always remember that fact, and know, as best they can the uncle with whom they will never sit on our staircase.

I am thankful for the two books about him my grandchildren can read later. One day their children and grandchildren can read about their legendary uncle. I feel more at peace knowing Roma will never be forgotten. The thought of Roma’s stories dying with me is unthinkable and heartbreaking. I guess I’ve attempted to make my boy immortal.

I have neglected my blog for a long time. My procrastination, lack of focus, and laziness are always at play. When the book’s completion goals became only rereads and edits, the burden was lessened. I dove into other hobbies long neglected. I have had a year of painting and rediscovered a love of all things art. Of course, I have always considered writing another art form. It is like painting with words. Brushes instead of a laptop are again a creation tool. I bought new doll clay to create faces, and I recently discovered another new craft, wool felting. I’ve helped redecorate the lodge in our community to make it look more lodgy and less “nursing home modern.” I’ve participated in two art shows, selling oil paintings of our community. I painted a cover of a fundraiser cookbook, and donated the painting for the same fundraiser, to refurbish our pickle ball courts, another new passion. As I move closer to seventy years old, I am confident I will never be bored.

I’m not finished writing. Often thoughts come to me. I promise myself that I will record them later when convenient. Yet, the words have vanished by then. Maybe it’s my aging brain, or my advancing dyslexia. I know I need to get organized. I should promote the books I have written. The task feels beyond my introverted abilities. I’ll do my best.

Now that I have written, rewritten, reread through tears, always hoping for a different ending, edited, and repeated those steps a gazillion times, I am frankly shocked that it all happened. I am not an organized person, and yet another book got published. Both books are amazing stories which I am honored to have lived and written down. It was like taking dictation, because the story came from God. I would be falsely humble if I didn’t declare both books good, because it was never about me.

The good news is that Spell Roma Backwards is finally in print. You can find it on Amazon, or other booksellers. I would love to hear from you if the stories touch your heart. If they are not your cup of tea, you can keep it to yourself. I couldn’t have written the stories any other way to suit critics. If you enjoyed it, or it touched your heart, and you would like to help, please write a review. Those things are important. And tell your friends.