Tree Angel

 

The angel atop our Christmas tree has a new look this year. 

She's holding a Chinese Love Knot in her arms.

The Chinese knot has come to be the symbol of reunion, luck, harmony, and love. Traditionally, a Chinese knot must be bent, tied and crafted from a single red rope, to express the endless circle of happy life and its red-color represents beauty, happiness and wishes.

This love knot was given to us in China when we brought Daniel home.

It will stay in her arms forever now, on our tree, and serve as a sweet reminder 

that our baby's still with us at Christmas time.

My wish list (the short version)

I hope Daniel's story will bring at least one person closer to God.

I hope Daniel's story will make at least one family decide to bring a child into their life through the blessing of adoption.

I  hope Daniel's story will comfort at least one person who is struggling through the grieving process.

I hope Daniel's story will open hearts.

Looking for cover blurbs!

I met with Marilyn for an editing session on Monday.  We are about halfway through the book now, and I feel better about this project every time we meet.

I'm focusing on cover blurbs now. Those are the quotes or testimonials about a book that you see on the back cover.  I have started a short list of relevant contacts, but I could certainly stand to seek some more.

I am thinking, in particular, of authors/experts in the memoir genre--or maybe I need to "think outside the box."

So...if anyone comes to mind, I would love (and appreciate) your suggestions!

An easy subject

It's so easy to write about Daniel.

Just look at that little face.

My God, he was such a blessing.

I just get to the point when I think I'm done writing, and then something triggers another memory of that sweet baby and his journey on earth.

I think I could probably continue to edit forever...

I love my Editor...

Since June of this year, I have had the privilege of working with an amazing lady (and accomplished author) named Marilyn-Murray Willison.

Marilyn fascinates me because she is like a walking encyclopedia (much like my brother, Andrew). She has had an "obsession" with women and what makes them tick from the time she was a little girl. She has taken her passion and knowledge of women and turned it into an incredible book called The Self-Empowered Woman, which can be purchased through Amazon.com.

I love meeting with Marilyn on a weekly basis because she inspires me to be a better writer. God knows, this project is very close to my heart, and Marilyn's editing has done nothing but add poetic justice to our story without changing it.

Marilyn's more than an editor to me--she's become a friend, and I look forward to the day that I can hand her one of my books and thank her for helping me see this through.

An Introduction to our project

This blog is dedicated to our son, Daniel, and his story, which "should be" self-published within the next year, if all goes as planned.

I started writing the book, which will now be named With an Open Heart, shortly after Daniel passed away in May, 2010. The original title was Little Lamb Dan, but with so many underlying "open heart" themes within this story, I recently decided to change it.

I've decided to self-publish because...well...I want Daniel's story out into the world, and I don't want to chase my tail in search of a publisher. If anyone has any ideas about that, I would love to hear them.