E.C. Stilson's Blog, page 76
May 3, 2013
Random Acts of Kindness Week #5--A Miraculous Blessing From Little Caesars' Corporate Office
Something amazing happened on Wednesday.
Let me explain . . .
Do you remember when I wrote about this:
Random Acts of Kindness Week #2 -- Little Caesars Harlem Shake
Well, this Wednesday, I checked Wayman Publishing's mailbox and Little Caesars sent me two $20.00
Little Caesars gift cards and the sweetest letter! I started crying
after I read it. The guy (from a Michigan office) found my post and
decided to pay it forward. He
asked me to give one $20 card to someone else--I'll tell you about that in a minute--and to keep the other one to use for my family. I'm still in
shock. I LOVE Little Caesars!
Here's the letter they sent to me:
So I was really excited,and I decided to tell the wonderful man who normally works mornings at that US Post Office.
John is an amazing man. He always treats everyone with respect and helps however he can. He's very efficient and because of him, and the other awesome employees there, I drive to another city, just so I can go to that post office.
As I told John about the letter from Little Caesars, I immediately realized that I should give one of the gift cards to him. I smiled thinking how the last two times I've tried to give random gifts to "strangers," the recipients both ended up being people who'd been kind to me in the past! (Remember the flowers and the Barnes & Noble Gift Card?)
John seemed excited about the gift card. I hope he knows how much all of the customers appreciate his kindness and thoughtfulness.
Well, I'm leaving to Mexico this week. But I'll still have something posted next Friday--a past Random Act of Kindness that blessed my heart.
Check out the Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest HERE .
I'd love if you'd join up.
Other big news?
My humorous novella/audiobook, "How to Avoid Having Sex," was just featured on CBS News HERE
And FOX News: HERE
I'm floating on air!
What a wonderful week.
Let me explain . . .
Do you remember when I wrote about this:
Random Acts of Kindness Week #2 -- Little Caesars Harlem Shake
Well, this Wednesday, I checked Wayman Publishing's mailbox and Little Caesars sent me two $20.00
Little Caesars gift cards and the sweetest letter! I started crying
after I read it. The guy (from a Michigan office) found my post and
decided to pay it forward. He
asked me to give one $20 card to someone else--I'll tell you about that in a minute--and to keep the other one to use for my family. I'm still in
shock. I LOVE Little Caesars!
Here's the letter they sent to me:
So I was really excited,and I decided to tell the wonderful man who normally works mornings at that US Post Office.
John is an amazing man. He always treats everyone with respect and helps however he can. He's very efficient and because of him, and the other awesome employees there, I drive to another city, just so I can go to that post office.
As I told John about the letter from Little Caesars, I immediately realized that I should give one of the gift cards to him. I smiled thinking how the last two times I've tried to give random gifts to "strangers," the recipients both ended up being people who'd been kind to me in the past! (Remember the flowers and the Barnes & Noble Gift Card?)
John seemed excited about the gift card. I hope he knows how much all of the customers appreciate his kindness and thoughtfulness.
Well, I'm leaving to Mexico this week. But I'll still have something posted next Friday--a past Random Act of Kindness that blessed my heart.
Check out the Random Acts of Kindness Blogfest HERE .
I'd love if you'd join up.
Other big news?
My humorous novella/audiobook, "How to Avoid Having Sex," was just featured on CBS News HERE
And FOX News: HERE
I'm floating on air!
What a wonderful week.
April 29, 2013
Have you ever fought over which television show to watch with your spouse?
HGTV and Me
By John Hartnett
My wife loves the HGTV Network. It stands for Home and Garden
Television, and in our one TV household, there is nothing more deflating for me than walking into the living room on a Friday night,
all set to cuddle up with the Mrs. while watching an On Demand movie and see that I am too late.
I am too late because my wife is already engrossed in the heart
rending story of a desperate couple from Pacific Palisades, CA, who suddenly find themselves struggling against all odds to find the
perfect pied-à-terre in Barcelona -- and by perfect they mean a
pied-à-terre that doesn't cost one penny more than their modestly
budgeted $1.7 million but absolutely must have a minimum of six walk in closets, an indoor lap pool that recedes into a wall when not in use, a 600 sq. ft. balcony with eight-foot railings for their rescued
Bengal tiger, Shoshona, an unobstructed view of the Mediterranean and a garage door that folds up like an accordion, but vertically.
Yes, I'm jealous. I want somebody from HGTV to help me fix up my home or help me find a new one.
I've entered every contest they've offered. Nothing. It's probably my fault for posting real photos. If the Joads had passed by my house on their way to California, Ma would have stopped their jalopy long enough to say to her kids, "See that? I told you there's always somebody else worse off than you."
My house needs work, there's no getting around it, but we have a DIY budget and no DIY skills. My entire family possesses the manual dexterity of a scallop. To put it in perspective, while attempting to check in to a Marriot Courtyard Suites in Crossville, TN, it took 27 minutes to get all five of us through the revolving door and into the lobby.
So why does my wife love HGTV so much? Because every program is essentially the tile and backsplash equivalent of Cinderella or the Ugly Duckling story and because women crave instant transformation projects that work out, as opposed to instant transformation projects that don't -- namely those involving their husbands.
So anyway, it's Friday night and here I sit while my wife moves from "House Hunters International" to a taped episode of "Property Brothers", a show about identical twins with well defined biceps who work with couples to purchase absolute hovels at below market prices, fix them up without exceeding the couple's budget and then mop up the tears of joy that the ecstatic new owners shed after receiving a tour of their newly renovated dwelling and fully comprehending that they have entered the homeowner's equivalent of Heaven, assuming Heaven has
bleached pine flooring and a fenced in yard large enough for an
energetic Jack Russell Terrier named Maxie.
I'm doing the best I can to get into the show and trying really hard not to say something disparaging about the young woman homeowner whose skepticism that it will all work out is starting to grate on my nerves, but even with a nice glass of wine in front of me, it's impossible.
First of all, I can't get the thought out of my head that for all the
contests I've entered and never won, everyone over at HGTV must be scared to death to even set foot in my house, let alone fix something, and secondly, the plots of these shows are All. The. Same.
If I ran HGTV, I'd produce a home renovation remodeling show that would appeal to everybody because in each episode, in addition to seeing a house get all fixed up, there would be a murder. The police, detectives and the FBI would swoop in and park all over the lawn and on top of insulation, drywall and recently spray-painted coffee tables with sunflower stencils on each corner.
They'd investigate everything and everyone, dust for prints, take
blood samples, put up yellow tape in places where the paint wasn't dry yet, drag the stars of the show, the homeowners, contractors laborers and nosy neighbors downtown for questioning and snicker when the kitchen designer bursts into tears and tries to explain that the reason she can't possibly stand in a lineup today is because she still has 67 linear feet of kitchen cabinets to prep and sand before Monday noon!
Wouldn't that be exciting and literally twice as suspenseful? Not
only would the audience have to worry whether someone was going to be arrested, flee the country, kill again or get the electric chair, they would have to worry about whether the house would be completed on time and on budget and meet the owner's expectations, assuming the owners weren't the ones who were doing the murdering.
I'm going to apply for a job there and see if I can shake things up. If HGTV won't remake my house, maybe I can remake HGTV. And restore my Friday nights to their original condition.
© 2013 The Monkey Bellhop and John Hartnett
Monkey Bellhop Site
The Monkey Bellhop FB Page
John Hartnett's Amazing Book:
Click the pic to see it on Amazon
Barber's Conundrum FB Page
John's Personal FB Page
April 26, 2013
Random Acts of Kindness Week #4--A Man at Barnes & Noble
This week, a friend and I decided to visit a local Barnes and Noble to do something nice for a stranger. We talked about various things. Paying for an order before or after us. Buying someone's coffee in the coffee shop. Purchasing a beloved book and giving it to a stranger in the store. All the ideas were fun, but they didn't feel quite right in this instance.
As we walked around, I remembered last April. My first big signing was only a year ago at that same Barnes & Noble. It's amazing what's happened since then. I've talked at dozens of schools and been to many signings anywhere from coffee shops, books stores, fairs, schools, restaurants and libraries.
Here are some pictures from Barnes & Noble at my first big signing:
That signing is one of the best memories I have. The employees were so kind. They printed posters about my books and put them all over the store. At the signing, they brought drinks to Cade and me. One of the employees even went above and beyond, visiting with us, making us feel important as he bought our CD. He even let Cade and me play music inside the B & N store!
After walking around for a while the other day, my friend and I stood in line. I joked with the cashier. She hadn't been there last year. A few members of their staff had changed; they even hired new managers.
While purchasing the gift card, I glanced at someone who sidled behind us in line. I couldn't wait to give him the gift card. Sure we could have left it with the cashier and had her give it to the guy, but for some reason I felt like giving it to him myself.
After buying the gift card and receipt, my friend and I immediately turned to the man behind us. "This is for you," I said. Then I caught his eyes fully and gasped. He was the kind employee who'd helped me at the signing last year. He's the one who let us play music in the store. He's the one who kept bringing us drinks before buying our CD!
"Why?" he asked, and I'm sure he didn't recognize me.
"We're doing random acts of kindness, trying to spread some joy."
Then we left. And I keep wondering about the odds of that man being in line behind us? Does he still work at Barnes & Noble? I'm still not sure if he recognized me, but I hope he knows how thankful I am for everything he did for Cade and me last year. Writing can be hard, sharing everything with the world, getting rejections, or negative feedback. But people like him--and you--have really inspired me to keep going through this writing journey.
Isn't it strange that for the last two acts of kindness I've wanted to give something to strangers, but they've both ended up being people who've already blessed my life? Here's the previous story if you'd like to read it: Flowers for a Stranger
Maybe it just proves that what goes around does come around....
I've vowed to do a random act of kindness (and
write about it) once a week until the end of May--when the R.A.K. Blogfest starts.
Please check out the blogfest HERE .
I'd love if you'd join up.
P.S. Cade and I are giving away $50 for Mother's Day. Feel free to take a second to enter HERE if you have time.
As we walked around, I remembered last April. My first big signing was only a year ago at that same Barnes & Noble. It's amazing what's happened since then. I've talked at dozens of schools and been to many signings anywhere from coffee shops, books stores, fairs, schools, restaurants and libraries.
Here are some pictures from Barnes & Noble at my first big signing:
That signing is one of the best memories I have. The employees were so kind. They printed posters about my books and put them all over the store. At the signing, they brought drinks to Cade and me. One of the employees even went above and beyond, visiting with us, making us feel important as he bought our CD. He even let Cade and me play music inside the B & N store!
After walking around for a while the other day, my friend and I stood in line. I joked with the cashier. She hadn't been there last year. A few members of their staff had changed; they even hired new managers.
While purchasing the gift card, I glanced at someone who sidled behind us in line. I couldn't wait to give him the gift card. Sure we could have left it with the cashier and had her give it to the guy, but for some reason I felt like giving it to him myself.
After buying the gift card and receipt, my friend and I immediately turned to the man behind us. "This is for you," I said. Then I caught his eyes fully and gasped. He was the kind employee who'd helped me at the signing last year. He's the one who let us play music in the store. He's the one who kept bringing us drinks before buying our CD!
"Why?" he asked, and I'm sure he didn't recognize me.
"We're doing random acts of kindness, trying to spread some joy."
Then we left. And I keep wondering about the odds of that man being in line behind us? Does he still work at Barnes & Noble? I'm still not sure if he recognized me, but I hope he knows how thankful I am for everything he did for Cade and me last year. Writing can be hard, sharing everything with the world, getting rejections, or negative feedback. But people like him--and you--have really inspired me to keep going through this writing journey.
Isn't it strange that for the last two acts of kindness I've wanted to give something to strangers, but they've both ended up being people who've already blessed my life? Here's the previous story if you'd like to read it: Flowers for a Stranger
Maybe it just proves that what goes around does come around....
I've vowed to do a random act of kindness (and
write about it) once a week until the end of May--when the R.A.K. Blogfest starts.
Please check out the blogfest HERE .
I'd love if you'd join up.
P.S. Cade and I are giving away $50 for Mother's Day. Feel free to take a second to enter HERE if you have time.
April 25, 2013
Yahoo! My First Audiobook was just Released and it's on iTunes!
Yep, How to Avoid Having Sex is now an audiobook, available on iTunes and Amazon. Allie Mars did an AMAZING job narrating it--you can listen to a sample HERE by visiting the link and clicking under the picture on Amazon!
I have to say that I loved writing this book. It was hilarious trying out different "theories about avoiding sex" on Cade. Too bad he caught on and starting trying them on me too! And now that he knows what I was up to, I can never use these wonderful ideas again--like fake sleeping, mock-anger, grieving over stupid things, etc.
But even funnier than that, is the man who asked if this was first published over thirty years ago. "No," I said. "Why?"
"Because if it was, I think my wife read it and took it to heart."
Another woman bought a copy at a signing and immediately hid it under her jacket as she looked around, making sure no one saw her purchase. Is this novella like booze? Should I sell it with a small paper bag?
Anyway, I had a ball writing this book since the material is mostly silly, almost meant to be a joke. But the irony is that all of these ideas can actually work.
Have fun avoiding sex and otherwise.
~E
P.S. Last night I gave my kids massages and facials because they cleaned the house. We used apples since we didn't
have cucumbers. Anyway that baking soda mask really works. It's
just two parts baking soda, one part water. :) I LOVE these pictures. And I hope this will inspire my kids to clean the house more often!
P.P.S. Cade and I are giving away $50 for Mother's Day. Feel free to take a second to enter HERE if you have time.
I have to say that I loved writing this book. It was hilarious trying out different "theories about avoiding sex" on Cade. Too bad he caught on and starting trying them on me too! And now that he knows what I was up to, I can never use these wonderful ideas again--like fake sleeping, mock-anger, grieving over stupid things, etc.
But even funnier than that, is the man who asked if this was first published over thirty years ago. "No," I said. "Why?"
"Because if it was, I think my wife read it and took it to heart."
Another woman bought a copy at a signing and immediately hid it under her jacket as she looked around, making sure no one saw her purchase. Is this novella like booze? Should I sell it with a small paper bag?
Anyway, I had a ball writing this book since the material is mostly silly, almost meant to be a joke. But the irony is that all of these ideas can actually work.
Have fun avoiding sex and otherwise.
~E
P.S. Last night I gave my kids massages and facials because they cleaned the house. We used apples since we didn't
have cucumbers. Anyway that baking soda mask really works. It's
just two parts baking soda, one part water. :) I LOVE these pictures. And I hope this will inspire my kids to clean the house more often!
P.P.S. Cade and I are giving away $50 for Mother's Day. Feel free to take a second to enter HERE if you have time.
April 23, 2013
Mother's Day Celebration
Enter for a chance to win $50
and check out some newly released books!
Wayman Publishing has joined VoiceBoks and The Social Media Panel to promote this giveaway and feature some of our newly released books!
Also, check out these eBooks--
each less than a dollar!
Don't forget that if you buy any of Wayman's books, you can be entered to win an iPad Mini!
More details HERE!
Amazon.com Widgets
Here's how to enter for the PayPal Cash Wayman Publishing is giving away for Mother's Day. It's open internationally so anyone can enter to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have a wonderful day and don't forget to check out other participating bloggers who are also giving away great prizes and cash HERE.
and check out some newly released books!
Wayman Publishing has joined VoiceBoks and The Social Media Panel to promote this giveaway and feature some of our newly released books!
Also, check out these eBooks--
each less than a dollar!
Don't forget that if you buy any of Wayman's books, you can be entered to win an iPad Mini!
More details HERE!
Amazon.com Widgets
Here's how to enter for the PayPal Cash Wayman Publishing is giving away for Mother's Day. It's open internationally so anyone can enter to win.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have a wonderful day and don't forget to check out other participating bloggers who are also giving away great prizes and cash HERE.
April 21, 2013
What is True Beauty?
I stood amidst a huge crowd. So many people clustered there, shuffling around. "Where are we?" I asked one man who remained stretching.
"We're getting ready to race," he yelled above the commotion, obviously shocked I didn't already know what went on. "It's time to pick your partner, or decide if you want to make it on your own. I'm making my own way." He pointed ahead. "That's the only way to win."
The mountainous road in front of us looked tragic, with bumps and potholes. Almost everyone wore running shoes and shorts. I looked down; I wore them as well. What seemed strange, though, was the fact that we were spirits, not flesh.
My heart suddenly beat fast. The trail ahead said something simple, something terrifying. "The Race of Life," I read the fading words. "If you so desire, pick your partner before you get a body."
I closed my eyes and wondered, was I meant to race alone? If not, I needed to find someone to run with--and fast--the race was about to start. I mulled over the crowd, and grew frantic all the while.
One man approached me, but I knew he didn't have what it would take. My arms pushed past him and moved along. Who could I race with? They needed to have similar goals, similar ways of thinking. They would have to be fun and inventive. A hard worker, a good father if we ended up having children.
"We'll race in ten minutes!" a voice boomed.
About a million girls circled around a handsome spirit. He beamed from the attention and I wondered over the sight. I finally crouched on one knee. It was useless, the spirit I searched for probably didn't exist. I needed someone who would help me finish the race and not just run it.
I tied one of my running shoes and prayed, "God, I'm scared to get a body. I'm scared to live. What if I stumble and fall? What if I forget your power and your love? What if I make terrible choices?"
Tears came to my eyes because it was scary. I was about to leave the comfort around me, the peace of seeing God's face in Heaven's eternity.
Many of the people around pulsed with anxiety as well. I wondered how they would fair. Would even one of us succeed? I stood tall then, dusted the dirt from my running shorts, put my hair in a ponytail and got ready to run.
Hundreds of people had already paired with each other, but I remained alone, refusing to be nervous any more.
Sure, I could lose almost everything, but I refused to lose my faith.
I bent forward. The journey would be hard. I could make it on my own, though--I had to. At any minute the whistle would blow, and so much depended on the race.
My breath slowed in concentration as I studied the wide road ahead. Then a hand touched my shoulder and I turned.
A spirit stood beside me--an amazing spirit. "I'm Cade," he whispered, and with those simple words, I knew I'd met my match.
"I've been looking for you," I said.
"And I've always been looking for you." He held my hand, making me feel truly beautiful and complete, truly worth something despite anything that might happen on Earth. "Are you ready for this?" he asked, smirking.
"You bet I am," I winked and that's when the whistle blew.
Happy 12th anniversary, Cade! I love you.
"We're getting ready to race," he yelled above the commotion, obviously shocked I didn't already know what went on. "It's time to pick your partner, or decide if you want to make it on your own. I'm making my own way." He pointed ahead. "That's the only way to win."
The mountainous road in front of us looked tragic, with bumps and potholes. Almost everyone wore running shoes and shorts. I looked down; I wore them as well. What seemed strange, though, was the fact that we were spirits, not flesh.
My heart suddenly beat fast. The trail ahead said something simple, something terrifying. "The Race of Life," I read the fading words. "If you so desire, pick your partner before you get a body."
I closed my eyes and wondered, was I meant to race alone? If not, I needed to find someone to run with--and fast--the race was about to start. I mulled over the crowd, and grew frantic all the while.
One man approached me, but I knew he didn't have what it would take. My arms pushed past him and moved along. Who could I race with? They needed to have similar goals, similar ways of thinking. They would have to be fun and inventive. A hard worker, a good father if we ended up having children.
"We'll race in ten minutes!" a voice boomed.
About a million girls circled around a handsome spirit. He beamed from the attention and I wondered over the sight. I finally crouched on one knee. It was useless, the spirit I searched for probably didn't exist. I needed someone who would help me finish the race and not just run it.
I tied one of my running shoes and prayed, "God, I'm scared to get a body. I'm scared to live. What if I stumble and fall? What if I forget your power and your love? What if I make terrible choices?"
Tears came to my eyes because it was scary. I was about to leave the comfort around me, the peace of seeing God's face in Heaven's eternity.
Many of the people around pulsed with anxiety as well. I wondered how they would fair. Would even one of us succeed? I stood tall then, dusted the dirt from my running shorts, put my hair in a ponytail and got ready to run.
Hundreds of people had already paired with each other, but I remained alone, refusing to be nervous any more.
Sure, I could lose almost everything, but I refused to lose my faith.
I bent forward. The journey would be hard. I could make it on my own, though--I had to. At any minute the whistle would blow, and so much depended on the race.
My breath slowed in concentration as I studied the wide road ahead. Then a hand touched my shoulder and I turned.
A spirit stood beside me--an amazing spirit. "I'm Cade," he whispered, and with those simple words, I knew I'd met my match.
"I've been looking for you," I said.
"And I've always been looking for you." He held my hand, making me feel truly beautiful and complete, truly worth something despite anything that might happen on Earth. "Are you ready for this?" he asked, smirking.
"You bet I am," I winked and that's when the whistle blew.
Happy 12th anniversary, Cade! I love you.
April 19, 2013
Random Acts of Kindness Week #3--Flowers for a Stranger
The kids and I bought a bouquet of flowers. It didn't cost much, but it sure looked amazing with pinks and oranges amongst baby's breath.
We vowed to give it to the first woman we saw outside. My four kids and I listened to rock music as we drove around for a while this morning before school.
"School's startin' soon," the Scribe (my eleven-year-old) said. "I hope we'll see someone quick." She was so excited to give the flowers away. I thought of what a prankster she can be, yet what a sweetheart. She's the same kid who put fake cat poop on her teacher's chair, but the same girl who held our Labrador forever after the vet put her to sleep.
As we searched for the right person to give the flower to, the Hippie, my eight-year-old, prayed despite the fact that I never bring her to church. Some things must come naturally.
Maybe her prayer worked, because right after that, the Scribe spotted a woman checking a metal business mailbox. "That's her! She's The One!"
The "mailbox checker" may have laughed at that statement; it sure cracked the Hell outta me. I'd like being called "The One."
"She looks so sad, checking all those letters," the Hippie said, drawing me from my thoughts.
"Bet those letters are bills," the Scribe said.
I pulled up to the curb and stopped the van. "I'll be right back, kids. Stay put. Just watch through the windows."
I ran up to the woman, because being stealthy isn't one of my gifts. As I ran closer, the woman looked a bit shaken. Note to self: if I'm gonna keep doing these random acts of kindness, I need to work on my approach.
So many thoughts went through my mind. Was she a nurse? She wore scrubs. Was she really worried about a scrawny, boobless white girl hurting her? And lastly, why did she look so damn terrified AND sad?
"These are for you!" I sputtered, holding the flowers toward her. Then I had to bend over and catch my breath. I started laughing really hard because the whole thing seemed hopelessly ridiculous. It was freezing and my breath drifted out in these huge wafts. The woman's eyebrows knitted in confusion. "Sorry." I smiled, standing up straight. "My kids and I are trying to do a random acts of kindness once a week. I know it sounds crazy. I got these special. . . . These flowers are for you."
I held them out to her again and after a moment her eyes sparkled. She hugged that bouquet so tenderly. "Really?"
"Yep. Well, see ya!"
I turned and sprinted back to the van.
"She's so happy," the kids squealed, watching the woman walk behind a gray-brick building. Even my three-year-old seemed excited.
The traffic was terrible and I swear we waited at the stop sign for longer than Methuselah lived.
Then as we turned, the Scribe pointed in astonishment. "She's a vet. Look! She's on the other side of the building. Holding those flowers."
The woman, still beaming, opened a vet hospital's door and walked inside. My heart stopped as I looked at the vet hospital. We'd been there before, years ago with our beautiful Labrador.
"And ya know. She kind of looks familiar," the Scribe said, confirming my thoughts.
I had to blink away the tears because in that moment I realized who the woman was; she's the same person who selflessly helped console the Scribe the day our Labrador passed away.
Closing:
I've vowed to do a random act of kindness (and
write about it) once a week until the end of May--when the R.A.K. Blogfest starts. Please check out the blogfest HERE. I'd love if you'd join up.
We vowed to give it to the first woman we saw outside. My four kids and I listened to rock music as we drove around for a while this morning before school.
"School's startin' soon," the Scribe (my eleven-year-old) said. "I hope we'll see someone quick." She was so excited to give the flowers away. I thought of what a prankster she can be, yet what a sweetheart. She's the same kid who put fake cat poop on her teacher's chair, but the same girl who held our Labrador forever after the vet put her to sleep.
As we searched for the right person to give the flower to, the Hippie, my eight-year-old, prayed despite the fact that I never bring her to church. Some things must come naturally.
Maybe her prayer worked, because right after that, the Scribe spotted a woman checking a metal business mailbox. "That's her! She's The One!"
The "mailbox checker" may have laughed at that statement; it sure cracked the Hell outta me. I'd like being called "The One."
"She looks so sad, checking all those letters," the Hippie said, drawing me from my thoughts.
"Bet those letters are bills," the Scribe said.
I pulled up to the curb and stopped the van. "I'll be right back, kids. Stay put. Just watch through the windows."
I ran up to the woman, because being stealthy isn't one of my gifts. As I ran closer, the woman looked a bit shaken. Note to self: if I'm gonna keep doing these random acts of kindness, I need to work on my approach.
So many thoughts went through my mind. Was she a nurse? She wore scrubs. Was she really worried about a scrawny, boobless white girl hurting her? And lastly, why did she look so damn terrified AND sad?
"These are for you!" I sputtered, holding the flowers toward her. Then I had to bend over and catch my breath. I started laughing really hard because the whole thing seemed hopelessly ridiculous. It was freezing and my breath drifted out in these huge wafts. The woman's eyebrows knitted in confusion. "Sorry." I smiled, standing up straight. "My kids and I are trying to do a random acts of kindness once a week. I know it sounds crazy. I got these special. . . . These flowers are for you."
I held them out to her again and after a moment her eyes sparkled. She hugged that bouquet so tenderly. "Really?"
"Yep. Well, see ya!"
I turned and sprinted back to the van.
"She's so happy," the kids squealed, watching the woman walk behind a gray-brick building. Even my three-year-old seemed excited.
The traffic was terrible and I swear we waited at the stop sign for longer than Methuselah lived.
Then as we turned, the Scribe pointed in astonishment. "She's a vet. Look! She's on the other side of the building. Holding those flowers."
The woman, still beaming, opened a vet hospital's door and walked inside. My heart stopped as I looked at the vet hospital. We'd been there before, years ago with our beautiful Labrador.
"And ya know. She kind of looks familiar," the Scribe said, confirming my thoughts.
I had to blink away the tears because in that moment I realized who the woman was; she's the same person who selflessly helped console the Scribe the day our Labrador passed away.
Closing:
I've vowed to do a random act of kindness (and
write about it) once a week until the end of May--when the R.A.K. Blogfest starts. Please check out the blogfest HERE. I'd love if you'd join up.
April 18, 2013
I Went Skydiving With Edward Cullen and Jim Croce
Sunday is my 12th wedding anniversary. We're going to the mummy exhibit and everything. I know what you're thinking! "Mummies? Is that romantic?" Well, it'll be interesting and that's what our anniversaries always are. Remember two years ago when Cade took me skydiving? It was AWESOME!
They paired Cade with Jim Croce--a man who died in a plane crash, and me with a guy who I thought looked like my version on Edward Cullen. I’m not a huge Twilight fan--let me send that thought in the wind. I thought Edward was obsessive, overbearing, controlling. If I could pick one literary character to NOT go skydiving with, it would be him or Captain Ahab! There’s something about jumping from a plane--with a vamp--it doesn’t bode well. It’s like facing death TWICE!
To top things off, my cameraman looked like a preacher I used to know. It wasn’t until the video guy started dropping the “F” bomb that I questioned his faith.
“Are you related to any pastors?” I asked the “F Bomber.”
“No.”
“Well, you look like a very successful one I used to know . . . You could probably make a good living, if you held services before people jump.”
He laughed so hard. “Even though I swear a lot.”
“You could still do awesome. Pass around an offering plate, tell people this might be their last moment and you’ll be golden!”
I watched a few people jump before me. When my turn came, that’s when I finally got nervous. This is just a dream, I closed my eyes and instead of jumping, I just leaned into the wind like when I let go of Zeke’s ashes.
I kept my eyes closed for a couple seconds of the sixty-second free fall. It was beautiful! I was a bird--that had no wings and couldn’t fly--but still I was a freakin’ bird!!! That’s when I opened my eyes and forgot about everything except God’s beauty. My cheeks flapped as I thought about how my teeth might freeze and then fall from my face. The world looked beautiful from up there in the frigid--teeth chattering weather. I almost cried thinking about God’s awesomeness and the fact that a little spit dribbled from the side of my mouth and probably into my instructor’s face.
After he pulled the shoot, he let me do a few turns and then we landed. I ran up to Cade and hugged him. “You jumped with Jim Croce and you survived! That was sooo awesome!"
We started walking toward the hanger and I turned to Cade. “Were you nervous? Did you have a hard time jumping?”
“You wanna know the truth?”
I nodded.
“We got up there, and something with the pressure or something. Anyway, I was strapped to Croce, who could hardly speak English and all the sudden I had to . . .” Cade looked around and whispered, “I had to fart.”
“Oh my gosh!” I giggled so hard.
“Well, I held it, until I had to jump from the plane, and I think it gave me an extra boost.”
“So you abandoned the plane AND a bad fart?” I laughed so hard, my side hurt. And I couldn't help wondering, did the fart stay in the plane after Cade jumped? So many people waited to jump after us. If they would've died, would that smell been one of their last memories from life?
When we walked back to the counter, an instructor pulled me aside and said, “Kevin told me that normally skinny girls are hard to dive with because they end up being so light, gravity will flip the both of you upside down. But he said you went out of that plane easier than any skinny girl he’s dove with and it was one of the best tandem jumps he’s made.”
That made me grin.
“You’re a natural,” he said. “You shocked me today, and you’re a natural.”
So, I did it. I’m a natural faller. Me and gravity . . . We get along.
To celebrate our anniversary, Bible Girl & the Bad Boy is only 99 cents. It's the story of how I met Cade and ran away to Hawaii. You can check that out HERE.
Also If you want to see part of the jump, here's the video. If you watch any of it, watch 3:42--it still makes me smile.
They paired Cade with Jim Croce--a man who died in a plane crash, and me with a guy who I thought looked like my version on Edward Cullen. I’m not a huge Twilight fan--let me send that thought in the wind. I thought Edward was obsessive, overbearing, controlling. If I could pick one literary character to NOT go skydiving with, it would be him or Captain Ahab! There’s something about jumping from a plane--with a vamp--it doesn’t bode well. It’s like facing death TWICE!
To top things off, my cameraman looked like a preacher I used to know. It wasn’t until the video guy started dropping the “F” bomb that I questioned his faith.
“Are you related to any pastors?” I asked the “F Bomber.”
“No.”
“Well, you look like a very successful one I used to know . . . You could probably make a good living, if you held services before people jump.”
He laughed so hard. “Even though I swear a lot.”
“You could still do awesome. Pass around an offering plate, tell people this might be their last moment and you’ll be golden!”
I watched a few people jump before me. When my turn came, that’s when I finally got nervous. This is just a dream, I closed my eyes and instead of jumping, I just leaned into the wind like when I let go of Zeke’s ashes.
I kept my eyes closed for a couple seconds of the sixty-second free fall. It was beautiful! I was a bird--that had no wings and couldn’t fly--but still I was a freakin’ bird!!! That’s when I opened my eyes and forgot about everything except God’s beauty. My cheeks flapped as I thought about how my teeth might freeze and then fall from my face. The world looked beautiful from up there in the frigid--teeth chattering weather. I almost cried thinking about God’s awesomeness and the fact that a little spit dribbled from the side of my mouth and probably into my instructor’s face.
After he pulled the shoot, he let me do a few turns and then we landed. I ran up to Cade and hugged him. “You jumped with Jim Croce and you survived! That was sooo awesome!"
We started walking toward the hanger and I turned to Cade. “Were you nervous? Did you have a hard time jumping?”
“You wanna know the truth?”
I nodded.
“We got up there, and something with the pressure or something. Anyway, I was strapped to Croce, who could hardly speak English and all the sudden I had to . . .” Cade looked around and whispered, “I had to fart.”
“Oh my gosh!” I giggled so hard.
“Well, I held it, until I had to jump from the plane, and I think it gave me an extra boost.”
“So you abandoned the plane AND a bad fart?” I laughed so hard, my side hurt. And I couldn't help wondering, did the fart stay in the plane after Cade jumped? So many people waited to jump after us. If they would've died, would that smell been one of their last memories from life?
When we walked back to the counter, an instructor pulled me aside and said, “Kevin told me that normally skinny girls are hard to dive with because they end up being so light, gravity will flip the both of you upside down. But he said you went out of that plane easier than any skinny girl he’s dove with and it was one of the best tandem jumps he’s made.”
That made me grin.
“You’re a natural,” he said. “You shocked me today, and you’re a natural.”
So, I did it. I’m a natural faller. Me and gravity . . . We get along.
To celebrate our anniversary, Bible Girl & the Bad Boy is only 99 cents. It's the story of how I met Cade and ran away to Hawaii. You can check that out HERE.
Also If you want to see part of the jump, here's the video. If you watch any of it, watch 3:42--it still makes me smile.
April 17, 2013
Congrats to Brandon Ax: A Cover Reveal
Congrats to
Brandon Ax
, whose book will be published on 4/20!
Here's some info about it.
The car pulled into my apartment complex and I heard Mrs. Watts
tell her friend to hold on, “Well thanks for all the help with the yard, guess
I will see you Saturday,” she said smiling.
“Oh, it was no problem, glad to help.
Thanks for the ride,” I climbed out and started making my way up to my door.
The parking lot was dark, the lights around my building had gone out a week ago
and no one had seen fit to fix them yet. I guess seeing wasn't part of their
living accommodations. Situating my book bag I looked around. I was alone
except for an older woman walking her dog. I nodded to her as I headed for the
stairs. No sooner had my foot touched the first step when I began to feel this
revulsion like something was crawling on my skin. Out of instinct I turned and
looked behind me.
Leaning against one of the broken
light poles was a man. I couldn't make out his face as it was covered in
shadows, but fear shot through me like a bullet. My body felt frozen, I knew I
should run, but it felt like doing so would set everything back into action. I
tried to will my foot back onto the step.
“Hello pretty,” the dark man said in a haunting voice that chilled to the bone.
My voice shook as I formed the words,
“Who are you?” It felt stupid, but nothing had come to mind. I managed to get
my foot back on the step.
He stepped from the pole and said,
“Me? I’m no one. You though? You are something special, in fact you’re so
special I have a feeling I’d like to take you home with me.”
I turned and ran knowing it wouldn't be
fast enough. I felt him grab my shirt from behind and push me to the metal
stairs below. I kicked out and struggled to pull myself from his hold. A gust
of wind rushed past me, it blew my hair wildly and I was free.
Not waiting to see what happened I scrambled
up the steps and quickly unlocked the door. Slamming it behind me I slid down
with the cold white wood to my back. My breath came in quick gasp, I felt my
whole body shaking. What was that, why did he let go? I quickly stood up
peering through the peephole in the door. No one was outside. Putting my ear to
the wood I tried to listen for any sound that would lead me to believe he was
still out there.
After a few seconds I backed away
from the door and sat in one of the chairs by the table. I had just calmed my
thundering heartbeat when the handle of the door started to twist. I scrambled
for anything I could find to defend myself with, settling on a picture frame
that was on the wall next to me. As the door opened I drew back ready to swing
with every ounce of my strength.
Here's some info about it.
The car pulled into my apartment complex and I heard Mrs. Watts
tell her friend to hold on, “Well thanks for all the help with the yard, guess
I will see you Saturday,” she said smiling.
“Oh, it was no problem, glad to help.
Thanks for the ride,” I climbed out and started making my way up to my door.
The parking lot was dark, the lights around my building had gone out a week ago
and no one had seen fit to fix them yet. I guess seeing wasn't part of their
living accommodations. Situating my book bag I looked around. I was alone
except for an older woman walking her dog. I nodded to her as I headed for the
stairs. No sooner had my foot touched the first step when I began to feel this
revulsion like something was crawling on my skin. Out of instinct I turned and
looked behind me.
Leaning against one of the broken
light poles was a man. I couldn't make out his face as it was covered in
shadows, but fear shot through me like a bullet. My body felt frozen, I knew I
should run, but it felt like doing so would set everything back into action. I
tried to will my foot back onto the step.
“Hello pretty,” the dark man said in a haunting voice that chilled to the bone.
My voice shook as I formed the words,
“Who are you?” It felt stupid, but nothing had come to mind. I managed to get
my foot back on the step.
He stepped from the pole and said,
“Me? I’m no one. You though? You are something special, in fact you’re so
special I have a feeling I’d like to take you home with me.”
I turned and ran knowing it wouldn't be
fast enough. I felt him grab my shirt from behind and push me to the metal
stairs below. I kicked out and struggled to pull myself from his hold. A gust
of wind rushed past me, it blew my hair wildly and I was free.
Not waiting to see what happened I scrambled
up the steps and quickly unlocked the door. Slamming it behind me I slid down
with the cold white wood to my back. My breath came in quick gasp, I felt my
whole body shaking. What was that, why did he let go? I quickly stood up
peering through the peephole in the door. No one was outside. Putting my ear to
the wood I tried to listen for any sound that would lead me to believe he was
still out there.
After a few seconds I backed away
from the door and sat in one of the chairs by the table. I had just calmed my
thundering heartbeat when the handle of the door started to twist. I scrambled
for anything I could find to defend myself with, settling on a picture frame
that was on the wall next to me. As the door opened I drew back ready to swing
with every ounce of my strength.
April 16, 2013
Tender Mercies
A friend from grade school recently read
The Gol
den Sky
and messaged me on facebook with these two words:
Tender Mercies
I sat, reading those words and I realized that's what this journey has been, since releasing Zeke's story. The people I've met, the lives his story has touched. Yes, Zeke died, but I feel as if his little life is still blessing mine.
I recently decided to have The Golden Sky produced as an audiobook. I knew whoever narrated this memoir would have to be a powerful, empathetic reader. I listed the book and looked for narrators. Days went by, and I hoped for the best. I listened to many auditions for various books, the whole time wondering who would eventually be the voice of Zeke's Story.
When Alexandra G. Haag sent in the initial audition, I was blown away. The sheer emotion in the woman's voice broke my heart. She was exactly who I wanted--who I needed--to narrate Zeke's book. While listening, tears streamed down my face. And I wondered what Ms. Haag's story was for her to read the text so perfectly.
Ms. Haag and I both committed to a contract for The Golden Sky to be an audiobook. It wasn't until after everything was set in stone that I really understood how special this project would be. Ms. Haag sent me this message:
Hello, Elisa,
I am so pleased to be asked to narrate The Golden
Sky. My first born child died at the age of ten weeks and, while my
circumstances were different from yours, the resulting grief was also a
blast to the heart. I pray that my narration is a blessing to you and
your fans.
Sincerely,
Alexandra
This gave me chills, just knowing that our angel babies are up in Heaven, probably watching us work on this project together. Somehow I had this overwhelming feeling that this was meant to be.
It was terrible losing a child and trying to think of anything that might lessen the pain. But for Zeke's story to bless so many others. And now for another mother, from similar circumstances, to be working on this project with me, well it's heartrending. And it's another example of a tender mercy.
I'm really looking forward to this audio. I hope it will help many others who are struggling to deal with grief.
For more information about Zeke, please go HERE .
Tender Mercies
I sat, reading those words and I realized that's what this journey has been, since releasing Zeke's story. The people I've met, the lives his story has touched. Yes, Zeke died, but I feel as if his little life is still blessing mine.
I recently decided to have The Golden Sky produced as an audiobook. I knew whoever narrated this memoir would have to be a powerful, empathetic reader. I listed the book and looked for narrators. Days went by, and I hoped for the best. I listened to many auditions for various books, the whole time wondering who would eventually be the voice of Zeke's Story.
When Alexandra G. Haag sent in the initial audition, I was blown away. The sheer emotion in the woman's voice broke my heart. She was exactly who I wanted--who I needed--to narrate Zeke's book. While listening, tears streamed down my face. And I wondered what Ms. Haag's story was for her to read the text so perfectly.
Ms. Haag and I both committed to a contract for The Golden Sky to be an audiobook. It wasn't until after everything was set in stone that I really understood how special this project would be. Ms. Haag sent me this message:
Hello, Elisa,
I am so pleased to be asked to narrate The Golden
Sky. My first born child died at the age of ten weeks and, while my
circumstances were different from yours, the resulting grief was also a
blast to the heart. I pray that my narration is a blessing to you and
your fans.
Sincerely,
Alexandra
This gave me chills, just knowing that our angel babies are up in Heaven, probably watching us work on this project together. Somehow I had this overwhelming feeling that this was meant to be.
It was terrible losing a child and trying to think of anything that might lessen the pain. But for Zeke's story to bless so many others. And now for another mother, from similar circumstances, to be working on this project with me, well it's heartrending. And it's another example of a tender mercy.
I'm really looking forward to this audio. I hope it will help many others who are struggling to deal with grief.
For more information about Zeke, please go HERE .
