Sandra Heska King

daring to open doors

  • Home
  • About
  • DISCLOSURES
    • Amazon Affiliate
    • Book Reviews
  • Published
  • Contact
  • Blog
    • Commit Poetry
    • Dared

Window on Writing: I’ve Been Published!

January 5, 2011 By Sandra Heska King

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!

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Filed Under: stories and reflections

Comments

  1. Keli Gwyn says

    January 5, 2011 at 2:25 am

    Your post brought tears to my eyes, Sandra. What an incredible gift–the daughter and YOUR book.

  2. elk says

    January 5, 2011 at 7:28 am

    this is price less .. what a true gift

  3. Laurie says

    January 5, 2011 at 8:01 am

    Absolutely priceless. And SO thoughtful. What a beautiful gift. ♥

  4. Sheila Hollinghead says

    January 5, 2011 at 8:02 am

    This made me cry. 🙂

  5. Michael says

    January 5, 2011 at 8:06 am

    I must say that made me tear up.

  6. Louise says

    January 5, 2011 at 8:53 am

    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

      January 11, 2011 at 9:43 am

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

  7. Ramblings by Carol Nuckols says

    January 5, 2011 at 9:00 am

    What an amazing gift and an amazing family.

  8. Krista @ Life in Texas says

    January 5, 2011 at 9:27 am

    This is so special! A priceless treasure, from treasured people. Congratulations on publication.

  9. katdish says

    January 5, 2011 at 10:13 am

    Wow. What a treasure.

  10. Lyla Lindquist says

    January 5, 2011 at 10:40 am

    It has a barcode… This is big time…

    I love what she did.

    • Sandra says

      January 11, 2011 at 9:42 am

      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

    January 5, 2011 at 10:43 am

    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.

    • Sandra says

      January 11, 2011 at 9:44 am

      Another awesome idea!

  12. jasonS says

    January 5, 2011 at 10:59 am

    That is so sweet, Sandra. What an amazing idea. Thanks for sharing it with us–got me all emotional this morning. 🙂

  13. Melissa says

    January 5, 2011 at 11:37 am

    Precious! Love that your daughter gave you such a bountiful gift! Thank YOU for continuing to inspire.

  14. Ann Kroeker says

    January 5, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    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. 🙂

  15. Sam Van Eman says

    January 5, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    Great gift, Sandra!

  16. Natasa says

    January 5, 2011 at 1:07 pm

    Great gift! You are a blessed woman.

  17. Sharkbait says

    January 5, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    That is really cool.

  18. David@Red Letter Believers says

    January 5, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    A great gift! Keep writing! Whether you are published or not never matters from this point on…

    • Sandra says

      January 11, 2011 at 9:44 am

      That is so true!

  19. Joanne Norton says

    January 5, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    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

      January 11, 2011 at 9:45 am

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

  20. nance marie says

    January 5, 2011 at 7:51 pm

    wonderful gift!

  21. S. Etole says

    January 5, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    what a touching heart-gift … both hers to you and yours to us

    • Sandra says

      January 11, 2011 at 9:46 am

      Awwww.

  22. Susan J. Reinhardt says

    January 5, 2011 at 9:34 pm

    What an awesome gift! I’m sure you’ll never forget this Christmas. 🙂

    Blessings,
    Susan

    • Sandra says

      January 11, 2011 at 9:46 am

      I’m sure you’re right about that!

  23. Melinda Lancaster says

    January 6, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    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!

    • Sandra says

      January 11, 2011 at 9:46 am

      LYI!

  24. Lynn Mosher says

    January 6, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    Aw, Sandy! How sweet and touching is that?! What a precious gift!

  25. Cheryl Smith says

    January 6, 2011 at 10:55 pm

    Oh, and I am crying with you. Breathless. What a treasure, both the gift, and your words of encouragement here. Blessings my friend!

  26. Faith Barista Bonnie says

    January 6, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    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!

  27. Kim says

    January 9, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    What a wonderful gift and inspiration to us all!

  28. Sandra says

    January 11, 2011 at 9:48 am

    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.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Meet Sandra

I’m Sandra, a camera-toting, recovering doer who’s learning to be. still. Read more…

Get updates from the stillness by email

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Archives

Categories

Instagram Inspiration

sandraheskaking

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final t “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” ~ Philippians 4:8 

#fall #southflorida #hope #thoughts #philippians4 #dayafterelection
“My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in th “My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.” ~ William Wordsworth in “My Heart Leaps Up”

🌈🌈🌈

From my back door and then from the patio. A phone can never capture the true glory of a rainbow. I hope my heart never fails to leap at the wonder of one.
We were monarch parents a couple years back, but o We were monarch parents a couple years back, but our food was not enough to support all our “children.”
🌱
But some were better parents. And next month @tspoetry is celebrating with a garden party. And you are invited. 
🌱

✨ An evening poetry celebration with Dheepa Maturi, Laura Boggess, Jules Jacob, and Sonja Johanson
✨ sign up today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/year-of-the-monarch-garden-party-tickets-1005650847757
✨
This is called a sweetheart plant. I bought it at This is called a sweetheart plant. I bought it at a farmers market in Ponte Vedra in Feb 2023. And it hasn’t done a thing except not die. I did repot it a few months back just cuz I thought it might need it. A few days ago I noticed it was sprouting a sprout. And today—10 days after having my aortic valve replaced and the day after having a loop recorder inserted—it has UNFURLED!!! A new heart. 🩷
Looking west this morning. “Sometime, enough o Looking west this morning. 

“Sometime, enough of us should plan
to gather and form our own
luminous cloud.” ~ Luci Shaw in “The Weight of Air” (from The Generosity)
Security is on the job. Security is on the job.
So after 13 years of checkups and annual echos, it So after 13 years of checkups and annual echos, it's finally come to this. One week from today I will have my aortic valve replaced. Eeeek! I know it's done all the time--piece of cake. But that's to other people. 😂 Speaking of cake, I've always hoped to blow out 100 candles (at least), and I keep singing this line in my head...

"And my heart will go on and on." Thanks to @celinedion. 💕
Hi! Long time, no post. So… I grew this from a Hi! Long time, no post. So…

I grew this from a pineapple top. We repotted it again over the weekend. Still no fruit, though. Our neighbor has a baby growing on a small plant, though. What’s up with that?

(Also, I do not have a green thumb. Currently the only things still living are this, an avocado, and a little Boston fern.)
We got out here early today, but it was already so We got out here early today, but it was already soooooo hot (later on the"feels like" was 110), and I was just plodding one foot in front of the other wishing I was still in bed. There was not much to see--except the crane family, some blackbirds, a dove. And it was buggy. And a deer fly bit me on the forearm, and it swelled up, and I still have a 1- x 3-inch reddened area. But then... a pink parade.
Just snapped a couple photos of a normal looking s Just snapped a couple photos of a normal looking sky from my back patio with my iPhone! I grew up in Michigan and never saw them before! #northernlights #westboca #southflorida
“So they took branches of palm trees and went ou “So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” ~ John 12:13
🌴
🌴
PALMS

He had a date with them. ~SHK
🌴
🌴
~ Six words I wrote on my blog in 2015 as part of a daily “One Word Less for Lent” series.
🌴
Photo taken in Israel, 2022.
Dressed for success... Dressed for success...
“Sing, hope, to me” ~favorite line from “The “Sing, hope, to me” ~favorite line from “The First Spring Day” by Christina Rossetti via Every Day Poems and @tspoetry in my email this morning. 
❣️
Whole poem (with lots of favorite lines) here:
❣️
https://open.substack.com/pub/everydaypoems/p/the-first-spring-day?r=3acod&utm_medium=ios
❣️
Wild red poppy anemones from our spring trip to Israel in 2022. And, of course, red is the color of hope. 
❣️
#dipintopoetry #poetry #poetrycommunity #poetsofinstagram #tweetspeakpoetry #everydaypoems
Sweet baby colts. Just one parent. Apparently the Sweet baby colts. Just one parent. Apparently the other was hit by a car. 😭💔
Bufo serenade AKA the Ballad of the Bufo Bufo serenade AKA the Ballad of the Bufo
South Florida is confused. South Florida is confused.
“Somehow she learns to breathe.” ~ @gyoung9751 “Somehow she learns to breathe.” ~ @gyoung9751 in “The mermaid breathes,” a woven poem from tweets. In my email today from Every Day Poems via @tspoetry.
🌱 
#dipintopoetry #everydaypoems #poetry #poetrycommunity #poetsofinstagram #poetsofig #tweetspeakpoetry
"You have what you need / is what the birds sing a "You have what you need / is what the birds sing all morning" ~ Annie Lighthart in "Conditions of Happiness."
🌱
In my email this morning from 
Every Day Poems via @tspoetry.
🌱
#dipintopoetry #poetry #poetrycommunity #everydaypoems #poem #poetsofinstagram #tweetspeakpoetry
If you’ve made it this far, the rest of the week If you’ve made it this far, the rest of the week should be a snap. #wednesday
Stay behind me. I’ll protect you. No worries. So Stay behind me. I’ll protect you. No worries. So will all those shots. Mostly.
🦝
D still has PTSD from the Great Possibly Rabid Raccoon Brouhaha of 2021.
Follow on Instagram

Get the Mug

Embrace the life you have t s poetry mug

Privacy Policy

Full privacy policy is available HERE.

I Read Light

TSP-Red button

bibledude-net



Sponsor a Child

Join the Compassion Blogger Network

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2025 Sandra Heska King · Site by The Willingham Enterprise, LLC on the Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Log in