A Heavenly Surprise

Yesterday it rained chocolate from heaven. An angel showered me with sweet blessings. I can say that because I believe special friends like Linda, the one who sent the treats, are earthly angels; and where the chocolate came from, Germany, seems almost like heaven to me (at least it's far enough away).

It's funny because Linda had just asked me that morning if I had gotten any surprises lately, because she had the inside scoop of something good that was going to happen to me. Of course, my writing mind jumped to publication, and then even higher to honors. Did I finally break a deal? Had I won the Pulitzer Prize? I soon came off my purple cloud and realized this wasn't a dream. But what could it be?

I had no idea I would find out a few hours later. I came home from running errands and this box was on my front porch. Had I looked closely on the outside of the box, I would have seen "chocolates" written on the bottom; but instead I rushed inside and cut it open with my green scissors. Not only did Linda send several different kinds of rich, flavorful German chocolate, but she also included three Easter eggs for the kids.  Inside the hollow milk-chocolate egg, which was lined in white chocolate, there was a surprise- a plastic Easter egg with a toy inside. Pictured below is what the kids found.

We had so much fun experimenting with the different flavors and sinfully splurging the night away. Since we can't read German, we had no idea what we were biting into, but each piece of chocolate was (and still is) out of this world... heavenly. I can't wait to see what the next bite brings. Wait a minute, I'll try a taste for you. Here's the little chocolate bar:

...excuse me while I take a bite (I love how it comes in little squares)...

 
...yum! It's solid chocolate (thank goodness it didn't have caramel in the middle because on an impulsive whim I gave it up for Lent).
 
Thank you dear Linda for your friendship, support, humor, and love. Thanks, too, for the heavenly delight... you are an angel! And the surprise is better than anything I might have conjured up in my head; nothing tops a gift from the heart.

Writing through the seasons

The tug-of-war between spring and winter I talked about yesterday was symbolic of a battle I was fighting within.

Most of the time I can handle rejection, but not this time; it was personal.  My elephant skin peeled away layer upon layer, tear upon tear, leaving me standing in a pile of fear.  I found myself wondering if I could take anymore.  My doubtful voice was saying, "Admit it, you suck." At the same time, my inner voice was answering, "Never give up!"  Back and forth, back and forth.


Photo by Cameron Johnson

But then a great friend sent me a picture her son had taken of a cardinal.  She wanted to cheer me up, and it worked!  Suddenly I was inspired once again.  To top it off, I had a writer's guild meeting last night and was able to meet with some great friends. 

I knew there was a reason I loved the uniqueness of each season.  Each comes with its own set of challenges.  How I handle them will lead me through.  The same goes with writing.  On I'll march and I will persevere!

One

One word.  That's all it takes.  To change a life forever.

Let me give you a few examples of what I mean. 

1. Onus- This is the one word that Andrew had to spell this week to win first place in his grade level spelling bee.

2. Priest- This is the one word Nicholas used during his first confession Thursday.  He was supposed to say Father.

3. Fly- This is the one thing I would have wanted to be during Nicholas' confession.  On the wall, of course.

4. Keen- This is the one word I used to change a poem at the very last minute, and yet the very word the editor did not like.

5. Freeze- This is the one word I do NOT want to hear in the weather forecast again this year.

6. Karen- This is the name of a very special friend who came to town for a visit this weekend.

Me, Andrew, Nicholas, Karen, Katie, Orb

Good or bad, words are powerful- even just one little word.  So choose wisely.  What will yours be?