My Everyday Hero

I think everyone's got one--a role model--or a person who shapes who they are. Most people have more than one, but I bet you can name one person who made you who you are.

For me it's my grandmama, Millie Lorena Franklin. She taught through example. At 88 years old, she tended a garden, raked leaves, mowed acres and acres of tall Texas grass, and set aside the first Sunday of every month to have Family Home Evenings with her children and all 25 grandchildren.

I have vivid memories of Grandmama with her ten-gauge shot gun, shooting the tar out of the water moccasins that sneaked into our play yard. We lived next door, and when I was ten or so, I decided to visit her everyday.

I loved her stories the most.

She told about times before cars or electricity--when they used cisterns for water and outhouses for toilets. It fascinated me to hear about those times so different from my own.

One thing that was unchanging was her undeniable belief in Jesus Christ. On every visit she never hesitated to share her testimony with me. I never felt as if she preached. I never felt as though she would disown me if I believed differently. I feel she wanted to share something precious with me--something that gave her life meaning.

Her last year was tough. She moved in with us because she could no longer take care of herself. I know she suffered. She tried hard not to let us see it, but I knew it all the same. She was ready to go to the other side--as she called it. When her time came, she went peacefully in her sleep. I remember seeing her body after she died. I had the distinct thought that she wasn't there. Whoever my grandmama was, it wasn't in that body anymore.

I think about her every day. I try to remember her voice, the way her hands felt so soft when she hugged me. If anything, I want to live my life so she would be proud. When I see her again, I intend to let her know how much her life shaped my own.

With that thought--who shaped your life? I'm certain I'm not the only person to have been lucky enough to have a grandmama. Who's yours?

Creating the Everynerd

Dear readers, I need help! I'm soon to rewrite the first scene of my book, DREAMTHIEF, which is a story about a psychologist who helps nerdy people conquer their real-world mental problems such as depression and OCD's. Most of her patients collect fairy or dragon memorabilia. Why? Because they've actually been to Fairy World and are trying to remember it.

Here's where I need your help. The first patient the reader is introduced to is going to be the Everynerd. I need this guy to be identifiable with every nerd out there. I've already come up with some stereotypical nerdy stuff, but I need more ideas. What are some things nerds are into that aren't necessarily portrayed on TV? I need each of you to reach into your inner nerd and give me some ideas. Leave a comment and let me know what makes the perfect nerd.

Sulking No More

I am happy to announce that the pity party is over. Thanks to all my readers for the excellent advice. It seems the only thing I want to do when I'm down is get away from everyone and revel in my misery, though in truth it's the worst thing I could do. I was surprised by how much your encouragement boosted me.

I've shifted gears as far as writing goes. I'm determined to finish my fairy world novel by the end of this month. Wish me luck! In the writing world, November is the month for writers to write 50,000 words. It's called NaNoWrimo. I've never participated, but this year I will, although my goal isn't 50,000 words. It's to finish my book!

I know we usually set goals at the beginning of the new year, but why not now? What are some of your goals? I'd love to hear how you plan to accomplish them. For me, I intend to write 1,000 words every day. By the end of November, I plan to post whether I accomplished finishing my book or not.

Let me know what your goals are! Because you know, once you write them down, they're a lot harder to ignore.

Here's another thing that cheered me up. My four-year old came home from school singing, "What does the fox say?" I thought it was another kid's song, but then I was enlightened as to where the song actually comes from. And then I learned that not only is my four-year old singing this, but all my kids plus my eight-year old's whole football team. This video is weird but hilarious. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!