With a birthday that occurred on a Sunday this year, I’ve regarded this past week as Birth Week. And it has been a good one. For me, communicating and feeling the good vibes of friends, family members and colleagues is the greatest gift of all. I’ve spent a part of each day thanking those who sent personal birthday greetings on-line and on Social Media and will keep going. Each year, I make it a point to acknowledge each one and I’m glad to say it takes some time!
And I share Birth Week with my late brother, Matt, who passed at age 39 and would have celebrated his 58th birthday on January 17. Miss him each day and I always feel it’s important to honor the memory of those who’ve passed on their special occasions.
For me, being physically and emotionally sound is the foundation of All Things in Life. As my favorite quote gently reminds, “Every day is a holiday, some holidays are better than others.” (Attribution Unknown). I take this to mean that each day we are given contains something to celebrate, no matter how “small” (the sun came out, it’s above freezing, a sweet kiss from your dog) and that some days the world can present “big” things that may change your life in a major way (A wedding, lotto win, a big job promotion).
Speaking of which, my new neighbors gave me a scratch off lottery ticket for my birthday that yielded a modest win. I’ve paid it forward by giving them some tickets in return and will make a donation to a local charity in my new neighborhood as well.
Each day I attempt to remain dedicated to working out, trying to eat a balanced diet and to connect with an uplifting friend or family member. I’ve also returned to a writing program and this has been a tremendous help in channeling energy and supporting my focus. Living in a log home on a lake in a mild climate certainly helps to make that possible and that is never lost on me. This magical place has definitely been a game-changer and that is only having lived here full-time for two months.
On Wednesday, I attended an orientation via Zoom for my Rock Your Book Proposal Course. I look forward to forging new bonds as I relearn the Publishing Industry and create a new blueprint for a revived writing project. I will share my personal progress as I go along.
Judging for the Dog Writers Association Writing Competition has been completed and Finalists will be announced soon. Winners are bestowed the Maxwell Medallion and Special Awards winners receive cash grants as well. Over the years, I’ve received both and it is quite an honor. The Maxwell is the dog writers equivalent of televisions’ Emmy or the Oscar in the film industry. I will share that I am the “Keeper of the Maxwell” and I have the pleasure of mailing them to the winners. Currently they are being guarded by an Australian Shepherd and a blind Maltipoo.
If I should win one myself this year, I’d like to point out it will save the DWAA some postage as some of these have been mailed as far away as New Zealand! Good luck to all who’ve entered and to our volunteers and sponsors. As a DWAA Board Member, I like to share that our mission is to better the emotional and physical well-being of all dogs and to embrace and honor the dog-human bond in all ways. We thank everyone that supports our endeavors. Having written the biography of Captain Will Judy, the man who co-founded the DWAA in 1935 is an honor I’ve not taken lightly.
Now at the two year and two month Widowhood Milestone, I can feel my brain reorganizing itself, and that is partly due to the Writing Process and to those people with whom I’ve chosen to surround myself. The fog is lifting and I can sometimes see my way across the lake to catch a glimplse of my New “Normal”, even on those days that don’t seem even remotely like a holiday, but I keep going one page at a time.
Dog kisses help! Have a good weekend and stay warm and safe.
