SVF Bookfair

I mention St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church frequently here on the blog, because it's our family's home away from home. SVF holds a special place in our hearts, and in our lives.

This year, the coordinator of their school book fair has graciously invited me to come sign copies of With an Open Heart to benefit the school! What an honor. I'm very excited about helping the school with this event.

The point of contact at the store was so kind and helpful on the phone, and when I read this sweet email she sent me on Daniel's birthday, I almost melted. It was a beautiful gift on that difficult day...

  

"Lisa, when we spoke about your book, I am sorry to admit that I really didn't take a moment to read the synopsis.  I am always juggling a million tasks at one time here and making sure we carried the book and was able to get it for the signing was my priority.

However, this morning I took a moment to read what your book is about, following your P.S. on your last e-mail about Daniel would have been 5.  I am truly moved by your story and the strength to write it.  I can't even imagine your loss and how you go from day to day.  Now, more than ever, I am looking forward to meeting you and helping you sell your books.  Thank you for contacting me about the opportunity to work with you in conjunction with the St. Vincent Bookfair on May 7th."

Is that a heart-grabber, or what? But it is the Holy Spirit who gave me the strength to write about Daniel, and the Grace of God that gets us through the storms. Just like everyone else.

What a beautiful message from someone I've never met. She ordered fifty books for the sale. Yes...you read that right...FIFTY books!  Please show up, people!  

Here are the details:

St. Vincent Ferrer BOOK FAIR
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Barnes & Noble Bookstore
333 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach
3:00pm – 8:30pm

*SVF Drama, Twirlers, Irish Step & Karate Performances!
*Store-Wide Scavenger Hunt
*Raffle
*Bookmark & Photography Poster Contest Winners Announced
*Book Signing by Parishioner/Author of “With an Open Heart,” Lisa Murphy
*SVF required summer reading books will be posted and available for purchase at the book fair.

SVF will get credit for purchases made in the store, as well as in the Barnes & Noble Café. Be sure to sign in at the SVF Welcome Table.

And if you can’t make it to the event,  please shop online in support of the Book Fair at bn.com/bookfairs, using Book Fair ID #11023009. Enter the ID on the payment page so SVF can get credit. Barnes & Noble will honor purchases made from 5/2/13 – 5/7/13, online or in the store!
 
We hope to see you there, and thank you for your support!

A Child of Mine

On occasion, I am reminded of this beautiful poem by Edgar Guest. It is almost always when I hear of a child passing from this world.  And this Easter season, it seems that God has been calling for a new flock of little angels. Each time I am connected (usually through Facebook or the blog-o-sphere) to a family who's mourning the loss of a child, I feel compelled to share this piece with them. Because  I remember the comfort that this poem brought to Jimmy and me, in the form of a reminder that our children are gifts "on loan" from God.

A Child of Mine

"I'll lend you for a little time
A child of Mine." He said.
"For you to love the while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three
But will you, till I call him back
Take care of him for Me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And should his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories
As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay
Since all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want the child to learn.
I've looked this wide world over
In my search for teacher's true,
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you;
Now will you give him all your love,
Nor think the labor vain
Nor hate Me when I come to call
And take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
For the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known,
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."

Danny

In the book I mention one of Jimmy's best friends, Danny Foreman, who passed away in 2009 from complications following a simultaneous heart and liver transplant. He was a dear friend.

Last week, we had the pleasure of seeing his family--his Mom and Dad, brother and sisters, his nieces and nephews, his wife, and one of his sons--when they were vacationing in Fort Lauderdale. It was so wonderful to see them again. As I heard laughter burst out of Danny's brother in the hotel lobby, it was so reminiscent of Danny's own exuberant and infectious laugh. It brought back memories, and I couldn't help but smile as I recalled our last encounter...

The last time we saw them all together was when we traveled to Ohio in July of 2008. It was the summer before Danny left us for Heaven, and it was quite divine how plans of our reunion unfolded. 

Danny would occasionally call Jimmy on the phone when he was feeling down, and--from time to time--Danny and I would end up in long, faith-filled conversations about life and the preciousness of it. He truly adored his wife and children and appreciated the love of his family. They meant the world to him.

But while Danny still had hope in his future, I started to detect a sense of desperation in his voice and a mortal fear of his physical reality. After every phone conversation, it became more and more apparent to me that we needed to see him. Madi was young--three years old--and Danny desperately wanted to meet our daughter.  Jimmy needed to spend time with him, too.

One evening that Spring, following one of my "deep" conversations with Danny, Jimmy and I attended Mass at a nearby Catholic church. It was not our home parish, but happens to be in close proximity to us.  That night, the priest delivered a homily about the beauty of life-long friends, and how blessed we are to have them--if we are even lucky enough to have any "real" friends in life.

As his words spoke to my heart and echoed through my head, my gaze veered left. And as my eyes caught focus, I realized that I was staring at a beautiful stained glass panel of a saint with his name spelled out right there in big, bold letters...

Daniel.

It was Daniel.

As my senses of sight and sound came into alignment, I knew that very second what needed to happen. The Holy Spirit had just given me a gift, and I thank God my heart was open to receive it that night.

When we headed for the exit after Mass, as sure as the sun sets, I said to Jimmy, "We are going to Ohio."  He agreed. Finances were tight with a second adoption journey on the horizon, but we knew that Danny couldn't travel since he was on the transplant list.

And so we went.

We had a great trip...such a memorable visit with Danny and his wife, Stephanie. He and Jimmy spent plenty of quality time together laughing and reminiscing about their college days. And Danny thoroughly enjoyed his precious time with Madi.

That was the Summer before he died. Our phone conversations, after that visit, were much different. Danny's tone was much more positive, and his future plans included visits to Florida after his pending transplant. He and his family remained hopeful as they waited for his turn on the list.

If you've read the book, you already know the rest of his story. Danny's transplant took place that winter, but the Lord took him Home to Heaven when his body couldn't adjust to his new organs.

And we named our son, Daniel, after this great friend who enjoyed living life so much. His passion and enthusiasm were unstoppable, and his faith was strong.  

Though Danny wasn't able to meet our Daniel here on Earth, we feel certain that he looks after our son up there in Heaven, and Danny Foreman will always live in our hearts.

 

Girl Power

And the winners of the Goodreads giveway are...(drum roll, please)

WOMEN.

All four of 'em.

Guess I shouldn't be too surprised, since women are the ones who seem to connect the most with this book. Nothin' wrong with that!

I offer my sincere thanks to all 331 of you who entered.

Congratulations to the winners! Your books should arrive any day now :)

Enjoy meeting Daniel!