I did this thing

I did this thing.

I wrote a book.

And someone published it.

There are so many thoughts swirling about my head as to what to share next. How for a long, long time, writing a book has been something I’ve thought about. But less in a practical way and more in an I’d love to uproot my life in Maine and move to my other favorite place, New Orleans. This was easier! How it took many, many nights and weekends and early mornings, and that was actually ok with me. So much so I’m doing it again. How my love for those who have supported me is fierce and cuddly—you know who you are, you bright best of us humans. How could I ever have done this without the guidance and inspiration of Monica, Hannah, and Michelle. And how much FUN it was to do the research, and by that, I mean, oh my goodness, all the time spent in libraries and churches and at historical societies and talking to the coolest folks in their seventies and eighties and in my friend Michelle’s bookstore. How it all fed my curiosity. How I fell in love in an absolutely unromantic way with a man who owns a salvage business and digs graves by hand as his father and grandfather did before him and whose mother worked in a mill and sewed his bride’s dress. How people like this man, who may not have huge bank accounts, have lives that are rich beyond measure. How they treasure so many people and moments that are real. How I got to know everyday people in small towns who are remarkable, and their stories even more so.

And how the process of it all and the accomplishment have changed me and made me better. More confident and understanding. That someone actually wanted to put out into the world this idea I had—something I wanted to say—made me feel really good.

And now I’m promoting the book, and honestly the attention makes me very uncomfortable. That should be someone else doing something more important who's been written about, I think, when I see the articles. And I try to embrace the success—and do—but still.

A little over two hours ago I set out for a neighborhood walk. I saw the mama raccoon a couple friends and I have been ogling over and she is so cute. I received a call from my godmother in NYC who is recovering from a surgery and is always so smart and inspiring. And then I ran into a friend from the neighborhood who lives in this magical place filled with light and the prettiest plants. I arrived home and thought how grateful I am to have the challenge of putting myself out there of people believing in me of the opportunity for it all. And that’s what you’ve just read. It’s not edited. It’s not terribly flowery. But it’s real. ox