Jo Knowles's Blog, page 16
April 30, 2012
Crystalline!
At 4:11 pm today I received an e-mail.
The sender: Lin Oliver
The subject line: The Crystal Kite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The first line: Congratulations! Your book PEARL has been awarded the Crystal Kite from your SCBWI region.
THANK YOU, New England SCBWI and all the members who gave PEARL (and me) some love. "Thank you" seems not nearly enough for what I am feeling. But this writer is feeling speechless at the moment.
So THANK YOU. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
And BIG CONGRATS to all the other winners. The list is here: http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/2012-Crystal-Kite-Winners
WOW
The sender: Lin Oliver
The subject line: The Crystal Kite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The first line: Congratulations! Your book PEARL has been awarded the Crystal Kite from your SCBWI region.
THANK YOU, New England SCBWI and all the members who gave PEARL (and me) some love. "Thank you" seems not nearly enough for what I am feeling. But this writer is feeling speechless at the moment.
So THANK YOU. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
And BIG CONGRATS to all the other winners. The list is here: http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/2012-Crystal-Kite-Winners
WOW
April 25, 2012
The Book of Blood And Shadow, by Robin Wasserman
Have you read this yet? And if not, have you put it on your must-read list yet?
I highly recommend that you do.
There is mystery. There is action. There is love. There is gorgeous writing. I promise you will not be able to put it down once you start. I am so excited about this book! Someone PLEASE make it into a movie! :-)
I highly recommend that you do.
There is mystery. There is action. There is love. There is gorgeous writing. I promise you will not be able to put it down once you start. I am so excited about this book! Someone PLEASE make it into a movie! :-)
April 24, 2012
2 more weeks...
SEE YOU AT HARRY'S comes out 2 weeks from today, and Kirkus has posted their full review on the Web site.
I still have to pinch myself when I see that star. This weekend, the book was on sale for the first time at the New England SCBWI conference. It was very exciting and a bit scary to sign the book and hand it over to future readers. Will they like it? Will they hate it? Will they regret spending all that money? Will they share it? All that work packed into such a small little square being carried away by friends and strangers alike. It's a wild feeling that I will never get used to. All I can think is, Here... we... go...!
I still have to pinch myself when I see that star. This weekend, the book was on sale for the first time at the New England SCBWI conference. It was very exciting and a bit scary to sign the book and hand it over to future readers. Will they like it? Will they hate it? Will they regret spending all that money? Will they share it? All that work packed into such a small little square being carried away by friends and strangers alike. It's a wild feeling that I will never get used to. All I can think is, Here... we... go...!
April 23, 2012
Camp, entrapment, a harness, and friends
I love the Monday after a conference. Reading through Twitter, Facebook and my blog feed this morning, I've seen update after update by attendees saying how inspired, excited, pleasantly exhausted, motivated, and READY they are after a weekend of workshops and visits with old friends and new. I feel the same.
My writing partner of eight years and I gave our first ever workshop together at the New England SCBWI conference this weekend! Cindy Faughnan and I led a 2-hour workshop based on the writing camp Cindy started several years ago. What I loved most about sharing some of our favorite writing exercises was how enthusiastic the participants were. And talented! Wow.
Part of giving a workshop at the event means you get to attend the fancy dinner for "faculty" on Friday night. Here are Cindy and Sarah Darer Littman, my other co-presenter for a workshop the next day. :-)
On Saturday, Sara Zarr gave a beautiful keynote speech, incorporating Frog And Toad into the writing life. It was brilliant.
Then I attended a workshop with Mark Peter Hughes on voice. He read several examples of books with strong voice at the beginning, including The THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE, AGED 13 3/4! Oh, how I loved that book when I was a teen. Have any of you read it?? Mark also inadvertently solved a HUGE problem for me by saying just the right thing at just the right time. I felt the light bulb blink on over my head. :-) Amazing! Thanks Mark!!
After the workshop, I decided to go to my room and try to get my nerves under control before my presentation with Sarah. Our presentation was on Harnessing The Truth and the examples I was sharing were a bit painful for me to read, so I wanted to do some breathing and get into the right frame of mind. Unfortunately, on my way back to the conference, the elevator was taking forever! After waiting over 10 minutes, I asked a staff member if I could use the stairs. She walked me to a door which needed a key-card to open it. That's odd, I thought. The door clicked behind me and I was alone in a dark stairwell. I headed down. These stairs, by the way, were scary! And on some floors, I had to walk down a strange hallway to find the next set. It was dirty and smelly and kind of "scene from a murder mystery"-ish. When I finally got to the floor I wanted, I tried the door out. It was locked. OK, I thought. I'll just try the next floor down. Locked. Next floor. Locked. Oh. My. God. I went to the very lowest level, which came to a door that led outside. There was a big sign on it: DO NOT OPEN. ALARM WILL SOUND. At this point, I'm already breathing heavy because I have been going down several flights of stairs in a scary place. Now, my heart is racing. I was trapped! I went back up, jiggled the door. Looked for signs on how the heck I was supposed to get out. Started having images flash in my mind: HEADLINE: Author Trapped in Hotel Stairwell, Dies of Starvation. I went up flight after flight until finally, FINALLY a door with a push bar. I prayed. I pushed. I was free!!! And sweaty.
My misadventure meant I was very late for an agent/client panel with Jenn Laughran and Kate Messner and two other agent/client pairs. It was really interesting to hear how other agents/clients work together and how the agents think about building their clients' careers. I wish everyone searching for an agent could have heard Jenn's wise advice about the importance of finding an agent that is right for YOU, not just signing with the first person who makes an offer because you're worried it's your only shot. Believe in yourself!
Finally, it was Sarah and my turn to give our workshop. We both shared stories about our own lives and how we translated the emotional truths of those memories into our fiction. Then, we shared some writing exercises to help audience members do the same. I was stunned by the beauty and care put into those pieces people shared. I love that NESCBWI has created a community in which people could feel comfortable sharing their work and, in one case, openly crying. It was a hard but beautiful moment, but the reader was wrapped in Sarah's loving arms when she finished. THIS is what makes me love our community so.
And here is another favorite moment. Lynda Mullaly Hunt and I got to sit next to each other at the book signing. Lynda has been an SCBWI attendee for many years but this was her first time attending as a published author, and it was the first time she'd even seen her finished book! It was such a treat to be able to share that moment by her side. It was also my first SEE YOU AT HARRY's signing. So the two of us were fairly giddy (me, with the added thrill of surviving my stairwell escape). Here we are with our books. Lynda's is called ONE FOR THE MURPHYS and I can't WAIT to read it!
After the conference, a group of friends left the hotel for some fresh air and non-hotel food. Here are a few of us at the restaurant. (Lauren MacLeod, me, Laura Ludwig Hamor, Sara Zarr, and Marjorie Light.)
I am incredibly grateful to all the NESCBWI volunteers who make this conference happen year after year, and to all the wonderful members and attendees who make this conference the special event that it is.
This inspired, excited, pleasantly exhausted, motivated, and READY attendee is going to get back to her WIP now. Thanks everyone!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
Write to the prompt: "I was trapped..."
My writing partner of eight years and I gave our first ever workshop together at the New England SCBWI conference this weekend! Cindy Faughnan and I led a 2-hour workshop based on the writing camp Cindy started several years ago. What I loved most about sharing some of our favorite writing exercises was how enthusiastic the participants were. And talented! Wow.
Part of giving a workshop at the event means you get to attend the fancy dinner for "faculty" on Friday night. Here are Cindy and Sarah Darer Littman, my other co-presenter for a workshop the next day. :-)
On Saturday, Sara Zarr gave a beautiful keynote speech, incorporating Frog And Toad into the writing life. It was brilliant.
Then I attended a workshop with Mark Peter Hughes on voice. He read several examples of books with strong voice at the beginning, including The THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE, AGED 13 3/4! Oh, how I loved that book when I was a teen. Have any of you read it?? Mark also inadvertently solved a HUGE problem for me by saying just the right thing at just the right time. I felt the light bulb blink on over my head. :-) Amazing! Thanks Mark!!
After the workshop, I decided to go to my room and try to get my nerves under control before my presentation with Sarah. Our presentation was on Harnessing The Truth and the examples I was sharing were a bit painful for me to read, so I wanted to do some breathing and get into the right frame of mind. Unfortunately, on my way back to the conference, the elevator was taking forever! After waiting over 10 minutes, I asked a staff member if I could use the stairs. She walked me to a door which needed a key-card to open it. That's odd, I thought. The door clicked behind me and I was alone in a dark stairwell. I headed down. These stairs, by the way, were scary! And on some floors, I had to walk down a strange hallway to find the next set. It was dirty and smelly and kind of "scene from a murder mystery"-ish. When I finally got to the floor I wanted, I tried the door out. It was locked. OK, I thought. I'll just try the next floor down. Locked. Next floor. Locked. Oh. My. God. I went to the very lowest level, which came to a door that led outside. There was a big sign on it: DO NOT OPEN. ALARM WILL SOUND. At this point, I'm already breathing heavy because I have been going down several flights of stairs in a scary place. Now, my heart is racing. I was trapped! I went back up, jiggled the door. Looked for signs on how the heck I was supposed to get out. Started having images flash in my mind: HEADLINE: Author Trapped in Hotel Stairwell, Dies of Starvation. I went up flight after flight until finally, FINALLY a door with a push bar. I prayed. I pushed. I was free!!! And sweaty.
My misadventure meant I was very late for an agent/client panel with Jenn Laughran and Kate Messner and two other agent/client pairs. It was really interesting to hear how other agents/clients work together and how the agents think about building their clients' careers. I wish everyone searching for an agent could have heard Jenn's wise advice about the importance of finding an agent that is right for YOU, not just signing with the first person who makes an offer because you're worried it's your only shot. Believe in yourself!
Finally, it was Sarah and my turn to give our workshop. We both shared stories about our own lives and how we translated the emotional truths of those memories into our fiction. Then, we shared some writing exercises to help audience members do the same. I was stunned by the beauty and care put into those pieces people shared. I love that NESCBWI has created a community in which people could feel comfortable sharing their work and, in one case, openly crying. It was a hard but beautiful moment, but the reader was wrapped in Sarah's loving arms when she finished. THIS is what makes me love our community so.
And here is another favorite moment. Lynda Mullaly Hunt and I got to sit next to each other at the book signing. Lynda has been an SCBWI attendee for many years but this was her first time attending as a published author, and it was the first time she'd even seen her finished book! It was such a treat to be able to share that moment by her side. It was also my first SEE YOU AT HARRY's signing. So the two of us were fairly giddy (me, with the added thrill of surviving my stairwell escape). Here we are with our books. Lynda's is called ONE FOR THE MURPHYS and I can't WAIT to read it!
After the conference, a group of friends left the hotel for some fresh air and non-hotel food. Here are a few of us at the restaurant. (Lauren MacLeod, me, Laura Ludwig Hamor, Sara Zarr, and Marjorie Light.)
I am incredibly grateful to all the NESCBWI volunteers who make this conference happen year after year, and to all the wonderful members and attendees who make this conference the special event that it is.
This inspired, excited, pleasantly exhausted, motivated, and READY attendee is going to get back to her WIP now. Thanks everyone!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
Write to the prompt: "I was trapped..."
April 16, 2012
Manic Monday
Crazed. That is me. Today. But I hate missing Monday Morning Warm-Ups!
Ah well. When in doubt, post a cute cat pic.
Here you go:
~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-up:
Come up with a good caption for this photo. :)
Mine was "Once again, Fred ignores George’s personal space."
Ah well. When in doubt, post a cute cat pic.
Here you go:
~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-up:
Come up with a good caption for this photo. :)
Mine was "Once again, Fred ignores George’s personal space."
April 12, 2012
It's a book!
A package from my (incredibly sweet) editor arrived with this note:
Inside, was the result of years and years and years of work.
George gave it a nibble.
And then some love.
Then he told Fred to take a peek.
They decided it was worth posing with...
...and made good nap-time reading, too.
:-)
Thanks everyone for standing by me (and putting up with me) on this long journey. I still can't believe I am finally holding the book in my hands.
xo
Inside, was the result of years and years and years of work.
George gave it a nibble.
And then some love.
Then he told Fred to take a peek.
They decided it was worth posing with...
...and made good nap-time reading, too.
:-)
Thanks everyone for standing by me (and putting up with me) on this long journey. I still can't believe I am finally holding the book in my hands.
xo
April 11, 2012
Wordless Wednesday: Listening <3
You can CLICK HERE to listen to a sample of the SEE YOU AT HARRY'S audiobook, performed by Kate Rudd. :-)
April 9, 2012
Meet You at Kellers'/See You at Harry's
This weekend my parents came to visit with their adorable puppy Molly. Knowing I was having a launch party soon for SEE YOU AT HARRY'S, my mom went through some old papers and found some menus from the restaurant she and my dad ran years and years ago, and the one I based the setting of the book on.
It's funny, but I had no memory of the "Meet You At Kellers'" slogan on the cover of the menu. And yet... the similarity of my own book's title is a bit uncanny.
I also didn't remember the wonderful "history" of Kellers' on the front of the menu, but it's fascinating to read now. The drawings were made by my mom. For those of you who read PEARL, you might remember a scene where the mom designs menus for her dream restaurant. I am only just realizing now where that idea came from. :-)
Oh, how we loved holding cups under the ice-cream machine when my dad was filling up the five-gallon cartons with freshly-made ice-cream. Nothing else like it.
Another favorite treat was getting to ride with my dad in the ice-cream delivery truck all around the Lakes Region, selling to other restaurants and getting to have lunch wherever we stopped at around that time. But of course it was also fun to eat at our own restaurant, where my dad would scoop us our favorites.
And then, if we were really good, we were allowed to take our allowance next door to a department store called "The Globe" where we bought little toy sets like you see now at the grocery store. Or put change in the gumball or prize machine for a cheap yo yo or bouncy ball.
SEE YOU AT HARRY'S comes out in less than a month now. This is the unsettling pre-publication time when professional reviews start to come in. I'm nervous. Really nervous. But I'm also thrilled that this book has finally made it out in the world. Even though it is not my first book, it feels equally special and I feel equally grateful and surprised this is really happening. For those of you working on a project that seems endless. That "just seems too hard." Please don't give up. If you believe in the story, truly believe in it, then it was meant to be. And it will be. As long as you keep trying. :-)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
Describe a restaurant you remember going to as a child. Re-create a scene of you and the people you ate there with. What did you like to order? Who did you go with? What kind of conversation happened while you ate? What was the decor like? What were the other customers like? The waiter/waitress? Try to include as many sensory details as you can. Have fun!
It's funny, but I had no memory of the "Meet You At Kellers'" slogan on the cover of the menu. And yet... the similarity of my own book's title is a bit uncanny.
I also didn't remember the wonderful "history" of Kellers' on the front of the menu, but it's fascinating to read now. The drawings were made by my mom. For those of you who read PEARL, you might remember a scene where the mom designs menus for her dream restaurant. I am only just realizing now where that idea came from. :-)
Oh, how we loved holding cups under the ice-cream machine when my dad was filling up the five-gallon cartons with freshly-made ice-cream. Nothing else like it.
Another favorite treat was getting to ride with my dad in the ice-cream delivery truck all around the Lakes Region, selling to other restaurants and getting to have lunch wherever we stopped at around that time. But of course it was also fun to eat at our own restaurant, where my dad would scoop us our favorites.
And then, if we were really good, we were allowed to take our allowance next door to a department store called "The Globe" where we bought little toy sets like you see now at the grocery store. Or put change in the gumball or prize machine for a cheap yo yo or bouncy ball.
SEE YOU AT HARRY'S comes out in less than a month now. This is the unsettling pre-publication time when professional reviews start to come in. I'm nervous. Really nervous. But I'm also thrilled that this book has finally made it out in the world. Even though it is not my first book, it feels equally special and I feel equally grateful and surprised this is really happening. For those of you working on a project that seems endless. That "just seems too hard." Please don't give up. If you believe in the story, truly believe in it, then it was meant to be. And it will be. As long as you keep trying. :-)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
Describe a restaurant you remember going to as a child. Re-create a scene of you and the people you ate there with. What did you like to order? Who did you go with? What kind of conversation happened while you ate? What was the decor like? What were the other customers like? The waiter/waitress? Try to include as many sensory details as you can. Have fun!
April 2, 2012
Keeping busy
This weekend, my parents are coming to visit. They are bringing Molly. Molly can cheer anyone up.
Molly enjoys chewing. Everything. My mom has threatened to leave her with us. I said, YES PLEASE. Don't tell my dad. She is his work partner and he doesn't mind a chewed up pillow or four in exchange for her companionship. :-)
I am hoping for a lovely, relaxing visit, because when they leave, life is going to be pretty hectic for a while.
Here are a bunch of events coming up that I am thrilled to be taking part in. I'd love to see you at all of them. ;-)
April 15: Hartland, VT
I will be the guest speaker at the Hartland UU Church.
"
My talk is called "Daring to Disturb the Universe"
Service starts at 10:00 a.m.
ALL are welcome! :-)
You can get directions HERE.
April 20-22: Springfield, MA
I'll be co-leading two workshops at the New England SCBWI Conference.
Registration is still open! (Just click the link above.)
April 28: Rutland, VT
I will be giving a workshop on creating strong first pages at the League of Vermont Writers Workshop.
Registration is just $45 for members, $50 for non members and includes lunch! You can read more about the other workshops and register HERE.
May 5: Hudson, NY
I'll be signing books at the famous Hudson Book Festival!
This is a wonderful family event. Books! Prizes! 80+ Authors! This is a great opportunity to meet and chat with authors. So much fun!
May 16: South Hadley, MA
I'll be reading from and signing my new book, SEE YOU AT HARRY'S at one of my favorite bookstores. 7:00 pm
I used to take my son here almost every day when we lived in South Hadley. I'm looking forward to going back to the old neighborhood. :-)
~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
What is the most important piece of information you convey on the first page of your current W-I-P? Why is it important?
Molly enjoys chewing. Everything. My mom has threatened to leave her with us. I said, YES PLEASE. Don't tell my dad. She is his work partner and he doesn't mind a chewed up pillow or four in exchange for her companionship. :-)
I am hoping for a lovely, relaxing visit, because when they leave, life is going to be pretty hectic for a while.
Here are a bunch of events coming up that I am thrilled to be taking part in. I'd love to see you at all of them. ;-)
April 15: Hartland, VT
I will be the guest speaker at the Hartland UU Church.
"My talk is called "Daring to Disturb the Universe"
Service starts at 10:00 a.m.
ALL are welcome! :-)
You can get directions HERE.
April 20-22: Springfield, MA
I'll be co-leading two workshops at the New England SCBWI Conference.
Registration is still open! (Just click the link above.)
April 28: Rutland, VT
I will be giving a workshop on creating strong first pages at the League of Vermont Writers Workshop.
Registration is just $45 for members, $50 for non members and includes lunch! You can read more about the other workshops and register HERE.
May 5: Hudson, NY
I'll be signing books at the famous Hudson Book Festival!
This is a wonderful family event. Books! Prizes! 80+ Authors! This is a great opportunity to meet and chat with authors. So much fun!
May 16: South Hadley, MA
I'll be reading from and signing my new book, SEE YOU AT HARRY'S at one of my favorite bookstores. 7:00 pm
I used to take my son here almost every day when we lived in South Hadley. I'm looking forward to going back to the old neighborhood. :-)
~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
What is the most important piece of information you convey on the first page of your current W-I-P? Why is it important?
March 31, 2012
Remembering Our Peg
In her final note to us she wrote:
"Remember me with my frizzy curls and dangling earrings and all the things we did and said together."
This is that peg.
We met so long ago. It was 1995. I had just moved to South Hadley and discovered the SCBWI Hatfield Writing Group in the basement of the little library I was working in. When Peg and I learned we both lived in South Hadley, she volunteered to drive each month to our meetings. Those drives kindled our friendship. We'd share family stories. Gossip. Comment on the funny twinkling lights at that house in Hadley and how they got a little bit more ridiculous and lovely each year. On the drives back home, we'd discuss the power of story, filled with all the pieces we'd heard that night. And later, while I was pregnant, we'd laugh over how enormous I was getting from month to month. Then, after Eli was born, Peg had kind word after word of reassurance, the encouragement that a new mother needs.
We drove to every NESCBWI conference together. And those wonderful UMass Children's Lit. conferences. And readings and signings and just about anything else we could get ourselves to. We even drove to the big SCBWI conference in New York City. Twice! Zipping through traffic with Peg behind the wheel, I felt safe. I felt loved. She was my kindred spirit and I hers. Here she is at a NESCBWI cocktail party dressed up as a dragon from her gorgeous book, THE PAPER DRAGON, which won a Golden Kite Award.
Peg had a summer home in the town where my parents live, and we arranged visits together there, too. Here we are together at my parents' house, oh so many years ago.
Peg and her husband became friends with my parents. They shared meals at the Corner House. They came to the Sandwich Fair parties my parents hosted. I was so pleased that she was not only part of my life, but my family's, too.
Later, when we moved to Vermont, we still found ways to meet regularly. When I taught at Simmons, I'd meet Peg and other friends for weekly writing dates before my class. Peggy always arrived with notebook in hand and the happy glow she brought wherever she went. Her eyes sparkled. Always.
Here are some of us who met for those weekly dates. We're celebrating Peg's 80th birthday party.
In the back are Ellen, Jeannine and Michelle.
I know that if you met Peg or have read any of her beautiful books, you are well aware of that sparkle you see in all of these photos. Of that joy. Of that giving soul who simply loved. Loved life, and everyone and everything in it.
And you have a little of that spark in you now.
I do remember all the things we said and did together, dear Peg. I hold them in my heart. Thank you for being so many things in my life. Mentor. Surrogate grandmother. Driver. Confidante. Cheerleader. Believer. But mostly... friend.
I feel your love and your light. And I promise to share it, just as generously as you always did with me and everyone you met. You are loved. You are missed. You are remembered.
"Remember me with my frizzy curls and dangling earrings and all the things we did and said together."
This is that peg.
We met so long ago. It was 1995. I had just moved to South Hadley and discovered the SCBWI Hatfield Writing Group in the basement of the little library I was working in. When Peg and I learned we both lived in South Hadley, she volunteered to drive each month to our meetings. Those drives kindled our friendship. We'd share family stories. Gossip. Comment on the funny twinkling lights at that house in Hadley and how they got a little bit more ridiculous and lovely each year. On the drives back home, we'd discuss the power of story, filled with all the pieces we'd heard that night. And later, while I was pregnant, we'd laugh over how enormous I was getting from month to month. Then, after Eli was born, Peg had kind word after word of reassurance, the encouragement that a new mother needs.
We drove to every NESCBWI conference together. And those wonderful UMass Children's Lit. conferences. And readings and signings and just about anything else we could get ourselves to. We even drove to the big SCBWI conference in New York City. Twice! Zipping through traffic with Peg behind the wheel, I felt safe. I felt loved. She was my kindred spirit and I hers. Here she is at a NESCBWI cocktail party dressed up as a dragon from her gorgeous book, THE PAPER DRAGON, which won a Golden Kite Award.
Peg had a summer home in the town where my parents live, and we arranged visits together there, too. Here we are together at my parents' house, oh so many years ago.
Peg and her husband became friends with my parents. They shared meals at the Corner House. They came to the Sandwich Fair parties my parents hosted. I was so pleased that she was not only part of my life, but my family's, too.
Later, when we moved to Vermont, we still found ways to meet regularly. When I taught at Simmons, I'd meet Peg and other friends for weekly writing dates before my class. Peggy always arrived with notebook in hand and the happy glow she brought wherever she went. Her eyes sparkled. Always.
Here are some of us who met for those weekly dates. We're celebrating Peg's 80th birthday party.
In the back are Ellen, Jeannine and Michelle.
I know that if you met Peg or have read any of her beautiful books, you are well aware of that sparkle you see in all of these photos. Of that joy. Of that giving soul who simply loved. Loved life, and everyone and everything in it.
And you have a little of that spark in you now.
I do remember all the things we said and did together, dear Peg. I hold them in my heart. Thank you for being so many things in my life. Mentor. Surrogate grandmother. Driver. Confidante. Cheerleader. Believer. But mostly... friend.
I feel your love and your light. And I promise to share it, just as generously as you always did with me and everyone you met. You are loved. You are missed. You are remembered.
