I’m Back. Mostly.

/ Marcia

jackie2

Finally Getting to Meet Jackie, One of My WONDERFUL Beta Readers!

Hi, Everyone! Just wanted to touch base with you good folks to let you know I have not abandoned you. Lately, Life has just been a bit . . . errrmmm . . . challenging, shall we say. The past six weeks or so started with a car accident, and concluded (I hope) with the passing of my mother, who had been ill a long time, and heavily sedated toward the end. I’m glad she is far beyond that now, in a better place, but it was still very sad, as I’m sure you can imagine, and posting on my blogs was just beyond me for a while.

So, without going into further detail, let’s just say I’m hopeful (insistent, really!) that November and December will be filled with positive, happy events. I’m going to do my part to see that they are. And to get the ball rolling, the smiles and laughter began in earnest on Saturday, at the Meet the Author Tea at DeBary Hall. What a great time I had, and I think everyone else did, as well. This was one of the best groups I’ve had the pleasure to visit with, and I can’t tell you how much their comments, questions, support, and encouragement did to inspire me. It was just what I needed.

I came home ready to plunge right back into my story, to finish That Darkest Place, the third Riverbend book. Yeah, I know the title doesn’t sound very cheery, but those who’ve read my books know that I often put my characters into some dreadful situations, just to let them discover how much strength and courage they have within. I won’t leave anyone actually IN that darkest place–unless, of course, they’ve earned it. I promise. 🙂

I need to spend a day or two catching up with my writing, and then another day or two catching up with my blogs, before it’s business as usual, here. I’ve had to unsub from many of your blogs, since I’m in the process of scrapping my old email address. Don’t worry if yours was one of the ones I’ve left. I’ll be RE-subbing under my NEW email address as soon as possible. Can’t wait to find out what you’ve all been up to during my absence. (And if you didn’t notice I was gone, all the better. Pay no attention to that woman behind the curtain. Just carry on as usual! 😀 )

Have a great Moon’s Day!

 

36 thoughts on “I’m Back. Mostly.”

    • Thank you, Darlene. I’m doing well. Sadly, I’ve had some experience dealing with this kind of loss. My father passed away ten years ago, and my younger brother’s been gone twelve years. It feels very odd to be the only one left from our “nuclear” family. But it also brings home how precious every single day is, and I want to use mine in positive, productive ways for as long as I can. And yes, she would have wanted me to. 🙂

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  5. Oh, Marcia, I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. I’m sure it was comforting to know she was heavily sedated at the end, and passed peacefully. And like you said, she is now in a far better place. I also wasn’t aware of your car accident and hope you didn’t sustain any injuries.

    I noticed you’ve been mostly off the radar but I thought perhaps you were still getting everything organized with your computer. You have been missed, my friend! Sending you warm thoughts and plenty of hugs!

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    • Thank you so much, Mae! The car accident was minor, but I was without wheels for nearly two weeks, which is not a small thing for me. If I told you everything that went wrong over the past few weeks, you wouldn’t believe it, but most is sorted out, except for the two people I lost. You expressed my feelings about my mother’s passing perfectly. It was peaceful, and it was her time, so I’m able to accept it as part of the natural course of events. The loss of Jeanne Bell was a shock to everyone, and still sort of unbelievable. The computer is coming back together, though I’ve still got programs I’m trying to replace. Basically, life is moving on, and still filled with blessings, to counterbalance the losses. That’s the way life is. 🙂

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      • I felt the same way when my mother passed. She had lived a wonderful and long life (she was 89), she passed peacefully and her family was with her. Even in the face of grief, that was comforting for all of us. Having someone, like Jeanne Bell, taken so unexpectedly is must harder to understand and accept.

        I’m glad the accident was minor and that the computer is coming back together. And as you said, there are blessings to counterbalance the losses 🙂

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        • My mother was 92, bedridden with severe Parkinson’s disease, and had Parkinson’s-related dementia, which was getting worse, steadily. And she was in a great deal of pain at the end, hence the heavy sedation. There comes a point when you don’t want them to have to go through that anymore. I haven’t started sorting her belongings yet, which I’m sure will be difficult, but I can’t help but be glad she’s at peace. Again, I thank you for your kind words, and I know you understand the gamut of emotions you experience at a loss of a parent.

          Perhaps I should have separated the news in this post, but I wanted folks to know that I AM moving forward with optimism and joy and a strong desire to spread laughter wherever I can. And also, that something like the tea on Saturday is a wonderful way to step back into life, after a loss.

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  6. My deepest condolences on the passing away of your mother! May her soul rest in peace!

    I know, I feel you are a filled with positive energy person. So, head up and go on. You have so many things to accomplish. Warm hugs,
    Carmen

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    • Thank you, Carmen. I’m busy doing my favorite exercise: Rolling with the punches. 🙂 You don’t get to be my age without having suffered setbacks and losses, and you better have some coping skills on hand. I’ve honed a few of mine, and even though I might have a meltdown or two along the way (Mark says I cry at K-Mart openings!), I know how to pick myself back up and keep on going. I will remember and miss my mother as she was for most of her life, rather than as she was in her final days.

      And I’m very aware of what a blessing every single day is, so I want to make the best of all the time I’m given. Right now, that means writing, meeting readers at local events, visiting with my kids when I can, and looking for miracles along the way. I see them everywhere. Rainbows, bald eagles soaring overhead, a perfect rose in my garden, laughing kids racing down the sidewalk, my dogs dancing in circles around my feet. You get the idea. Miracles surround us, but we have to remind ourselves to LOOK for them. And to be thankful for them.

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  9. Condolences on the death of your mother. Even when it is expected it’s never easy to deal with. Be kidn to yourself and don’t try to rush into doing too much too soon. Having said that, I’m glad your’re back. xx

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    • Thank you, Mary. No, it’s not easy, but it’s easier than watching someone suffer, knowing there isn’t one thing that can be done. I won’t be pushing too hard, really, but I can’t tell you how much the tea Saturday lifted my spirits.

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    • It did, indeed, Deb! I can’t even begin to express how much that afternoon lifted my spirits! It was exactly what the doctor ordered, and I’m still feeling buoyed by the love and support from everyone who came. It’s good to be mostly back. Still got a way to go before it’s totally back to normal, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. (Let’s hope it’s not a freight train heading straight toward me!) 😯 😀

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    • Thanks so much, Caitlin. It IS sad, and has been pretty emotional, but I’m just so glad she’s no longer suffering. That was the hardest of all. And yes, I’m ready for positive, life-affirming things. The tea on Saturday was wonderfully restorative and healing. I’m counting it as the start of a smoother month. 🙂 I’ll be touching base with you soon, O Editor, Mine! Believe it or not, I’ve passed the halfway mark in That Darkest Place. I think. Probably. Sort of. 😀 And I’m writing like a thing possessed to make up for lost time. So, be ready! You won’t believe what I’ve done to these poor Painter brothers! 😯

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  13. I understand it was expected but, still, I am sorry to hear of your loss. You seem to be in good spirits and that makes me happy. I hope the rest of the year (and the new year) is…uneventful with all good things. Best to you, Marcia. ❤

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    • Thank you, Sarah. I’m doing pretty well, over all, but it is still hard to get my mind around it. I’m hoping the last six weeks have taken care of all the bad things coming my way for a while. I’m definitely looking forward to better times ahead. 🙂

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