It never gets old

[Image credit: Detanan]

Recently, I read about an author who was told that self-promotion of her newly published novel was something akin to shameless. Her response oozed with class. Basically, if writers earn their — our — livelihood writing, why wouldn’t we market our own work? The other day two of my just-published articles came out in the premiere issue of Paradise Valley Lifestyle magazine (pages 26-27 and 34). Although I’ve had other commercial and literary pieces published, I was just as excited as if these were my first. It never gets old to see my name in print (other than for a traffic violation, of course) — to validate my passion and then to share my excitement with anyone who will listen (thanks, you know who you are). Because as a late bloomer, I spent the first half of my life weeding my garden and now I’m finally beginning to reap a beautiful harvest. Plus, Someday I’ll want you to buy my books.

What is one thing you enjoy that never gets old?

Moving forward through the grief

[Image credit: -Marcus-]

It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds.’
I do not agree. The wounds remain.
In time, the mind, protecting its sanity,
covers them with scar tissue
and the pain lessens.
But it is never gone.
~ Rose Kennedy

Nearly a month has passed since my family experienced an event that garnered much heartache. One of those situations where you don’t know how you would handle it unless you’ve been there, done that. Even now, I’m not sure how I should feel or react. I’ve found myself going through the various stages of grief: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression and — hopefully one day — acceptance. Or something similar. I have even struggled with guilt. Yet as I move forward and the wounds still linger, the pain continues to lessen. I wish there was a quick fix to ease the transition through each stage. But I’ve been allowing myself to laugh again, while looking for joy in what remains.

What is your secret to moving forward through the grief?