This past week my plans took me to another rural community about an hour from here. There, I happened to have a conversation with a young man who was just trying to get by. As he spoke I sat in my car and listened to his story. Sometimes that is all someone needs – is to feel “seen”. He said that as a young boy he’d been sexually abused and it altered his entire life. He explained that with the help of a good psychologist, he’d been able to keep moving forward. His doctor had coached him to occupy his mind with other activities to “knock out” anxiety and negative thoughts. He told me that he’d moved to that area and had gotten a good job, but when he refused to buy drugs for his new boss, he’d been fired. As he spoke, he held a much-used skateboard, his means of transportation to his new job at a fast food restaurant where he’d offered to work extra hours that day and aspired for a management position. He’s had a lot to “knock out” and although some need more than that to progress, it can be a helpful tool to get through difficult moments.

Before I left, I thanked him for inspiring me.There are so many others like him, especially in the more remote and rural regions of Florida, and elsewhere in the nation. I’ve learned to never to take anything for granted.

Early last week, I participated in a Zoom meeting with the Board of Directors for the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) and later in the week, an in-person with the Animal Welfare League of Putnam County – two associations that cover a gamut of issues that affect the lives of dogs from beloved household pets to those abused or discarded, desperately in need of care they may not receive despite the efforts of those who care due to lack of laws, lack of enforcement, funds and food. It is encouraging to see positive change happening due to the work of a committed community effort.

I will continue to volunteer for both groups, while posting here for Soaring Spirits as I try my best to keep up with my 500 word-a-day plan for a memoir I’m drafting under the Working Title of Fetching Quint: How a Camp for The Widowed, A Seven Day Celebration of Dogs and a Blind Rescue Pup brought Hope, Healing and Second Chances. As many authors know, our titles are just something to use while we compose as they are often changed by a publisher, but agents and publishers love subtitles that evoke curiosity and are highly searchable. 

For many of us who are widowed, dogs and other pets are often what keep us emotionally, and physically, afloat during the darkest hours. When our friends and family are understandably busy with their own lives, our animals are always there for us; they become our family. I read about this on our on-line meet ups every single day.

The fact that I’m back to writing on a daily basis is a huge step forward. I’ve had some really encouraging reactions to the one page synopsis. If anyone would like to be a Beta Reader (a reader that offers feedback) please reach out to me at lbkauthor@gmail and when I feel “ready” I will share a bit. Although intended for those in the Widowhood, the potential audience is much wider including those who enjoy inspiring stories of dogs, travel, enduring multiple loss and the practice of resilience in the face of personal struggle. 

Next week I will travel to New York for my mom’s Service and Celebration of Life. Her ashes will be interred at the Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, a year to the day of my dad’s interment at the same location last June. Missing them both very much. 

Thanks to Soaring Spirits, International, for allowing me to post here each week. This fall I will celebrate two years of posting for Widow’s Voice. Sometimes I allow myself to go back and take a look at older posts and that alone has inspired me, as well as the posts of my fellow bloggers. So much has occurred and morphed in this small space of time. I truly have learned to live week to week, and that seems to be working for me. Thanks for following along.