Every once in a while, being an author can be an extremely rewarding experience.
And I'm not talking monetary rewards.
Yes, this is my job. And of course, I want to earn an income.
But how wonderful is it when you receive more than a paycheck? How wonderful is it when you feel as though you have done something that touched someone else's life? Or helped someone?
That feeling came to me this week in the form of an email regarding my book, I'M WITH YOU.
(I have omitted the dates and names to protect the personal information of this lady.)
Dear Taylor,
I'm so happy you wrote a book about a baby with Trisomy 18. I understand your feelings completely. In 2015 my daughter gave birth to my first granddaughter. She lived 12 1/2 BEAUTIFUL hours and then went to Heaven. The baby had Trisomy 13. Nine months and two days later in 2016 my daughter gave birth to my second granddaughter.
My daughter was six months pregnant. The baby was stillborn.
She was my granddaughter with Trisomy 18. The odds of this happening two times back to back is like winning the largest lottery with only one purchased new ticket. These baby girls mean so much to me. I think about them often and it's nice to know there's someone out there who knows what I feel. That I love these baby girls. My story does continue and it's beautiful.
In 2017 my daughter gave birth to my grandson. He is fine. He's a beautiful healthy 7 lbs. 13 oz. little boy. I thank you for making people more aware of children with trisomy 13 or 18 or 21. You let the world know that these babies are real and they are LOVED... Thank You
It is messages like this that really keep me going and inspire me.
Another thing that happened fairly recently came in the form of a package from a reader who I've become friends with. She lives in Belgium. How cool is that? I have a friend in BELGIUM! If not for being an author, we never would have connected. Through our emails we have found we have much in common. Some day I really hope to meet her in person. At Christmas, she asked if I wanted to exchange Christmas cards and I said yes. But she sent me much more than a card.
This yummy package of Belgium chocolate arrived!
WOW! This was so unexpected and YES, it was AMAZING.
By the way, she blogs about the books she reads here. She likes clean romance and has some great recommendations.
On this day before Valentine's Day, I'm thankful for people who SPREAD THE LOVE! And that means ALL OF YOU who follow this blog and leave me lots of comment LOVE and ENCOURAGEMENT!
THANK YOU!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
