Sandra Heska King

daring to open doors

Window on Writing: I’ve Been Published!

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I’ve been published!

Well, it’s not what you think.

But here’s what happened.

“I’ll buy the paper, the ink, and the notebook,” I told my daughter. “What I really want for Christmas is for you to copy all my blog posts for me.”

“Mom! Do you know how many there are?”

I did. But I didn’t know she did. Because she told me she doesn’t read my blog. She’s never sure when she might find herself the subject of a post.

“But I wrote directly into the blog box thingie, and I didn’t save them for myself. What if WordPress blows up?”

“I’m sorry, Mom,” she said a couple weeks later. “There are just too many. It’s too time-consuming.”

Sigh.

“Okay, fine. I’ll just copy a few myself each day.”

“Oh, and by the way. Would you be too disappointed if you didn’t get a calendar this year? I waited too long, and now it’s too late to get one printed.”

She always makes me one of those calendars out of past year photos. It’s tradition. Like nightgowns.

Big. Sigh.

“I guess I’ll survive.”

Pout.

It’s Christmas morning. I’m weary from being up late and up early to prepare brunch. We’re on a schedule because they all have other places to be. But our tradition is to pass out one gift at a time while everyone watches.

Finally paper sacks and a green garbage bag bulge and overflow with wadded snowflake and Santa papers once so carefully folded and taped. The cats chase crinkled gold globes across the carpet.

We’re all gifted out when Lee hands me another gift.

I can tell it’s a book.

Maybe I even said, “It’s a book.”

But somehow he knows I know it’s a book.

“I know the author,” he says (or something to that effect.)

Did he say he got an autograph or did he say he could get one?

I. Am. Overwhelmed.

Because in my hand is a book.

A pretty thick book.

I cry.

All I wanted was white paper, black ink, a three-hole punch, and a notebook.

But I am holding a bound book.

I am undone when I read the back cover.

Sandra Heska King
Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Daughter, Friend, and Writer.
Always a Woman of Faith.

Inspiring one person one word at a time.
SandraHeskaKing.com

Keep writing and inspiring people. Your talent to make each word more than just a word, but a word of inspiration, is a gift to be cherished for years to come.

We are all so proud of your accomplishments.

Love your Daughter and Family.

**********************************************

No writing “success” can top that.

I’ve been published.

And it feels good!

P.S. I also got my calendar. And every page rocks!

Comments

  6. Louise says

    This is so beautiful.

    I did a book for Christmas of my blogs from my trip to Barbados and gave it to the friends we were with — it was a huge success.

    And, I have begun taking my daughters blogs from her 8 months in Europe at Unviersity and turning them into a book for her birthday — I think it’s one of the most special and important gifts we can give!

    Your daughter and husband are awesome!

    Hugs

    Louise

    • Sandra says

      Perfect gifts, Louise! I never would have thought of it. I should post pictures from the calendar.

    • Sandra says

      Yes, a barcode. And it sells for 12 something. 😉 She was unable to do the photos, though, and the comments (which I don’t want to lose) would have made it as long as War and Peace.

  11. Carol J. Garvin says

    How wonderful! That’s a gift you’ll always treasure… the book, of course, but also your daughter’s thoughtfulness. We were visiting friends at Christmas and they showed me a book the husband had made for his wife as a gift. It contained hundreds of photos that they had taken during a special anniversary trip to Australia. It doesn’t have much text, unlike yours, but I love the idea of “gift publication” of something so meaningful.

  14. Ann Kroeker says

    Brilliant! That is a truly inspired gift. And you told the story so well…I wasn’t expecting such a magnificent version.

    You are a loved woman.

    I’m loved, too, but my main gift for Christmas was a pair of slippers. 🙂

  19. Joanne Norton says

    It’s so nice to be back “visiting” you. Trying to get back to a faithful pattern… but life interferes with me. However, you are a huge blessing in this whole writing arena.

    • Sandra says

      It’s nice to see you! Yes, I’m trying to get a visiting schedule down, too. Thanks, Caryjo!

  23. Melinda Lancaster says

    Not only do I love what Abby did for you, I love what was said on the back: “Keep writing and inspiring people. Your talent to make each word more than just a word, but a word of inspiration, is a gift to be cherished for years to come. We are all so proud of your accomplishments.”

    And I am proud to, as one of your sticky sisters.

    HUGS!

  26. Faith Barista Bonnie says

    Tearing up, pink nose, like everyone else here (hand me a tissue, please?)… So beautiful. You are published! In the hearts of the most important ones ever. I remember your post about legacy. Incredibly encouraging, Sandy! What fuel for your passion. Keep writing & publishing in 2011!

  28. Sandra says

    Thanks so much, everyone. The gift is priceless, yes. And I treasure it and the heart(s)that gave it.

    And I treasure all of you. Your friendships are priceless! I am blessed because of you.

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