Good morning!

I believe that everyone should have goals.  Not just dreams, but actual goals that they take baby steps towards accomplishing.

Well today I’m thankful! My goal of being a published author has be achieved!

Let me tell you my story.

When I was a young adult I loved to write stories, poems, whatever struck me at the time.  But then life happened and I became a mom.

I forgot how much I liked to read and write.  But being a mom was my ultimate job and I loved it.

When it was near my 50^thbirthday I decided that I didn’t want to be a grumpy 50-year-old that was depressed because she was 50.  I still felt young, my health was good and you couldn’t see the gray hairs yet. Right here I have to laugh.  The truth is probably that I had already colored my hair so many times you just couldn’t see the gray.

On with the story.

I decided right then and there that I would start celebrating a birthday MONTH.  I would find new things to experience.  New adventures, new food, new hobbies.  

I began by recording these new adventures on Pinterest. At first, I was very good at keeping my Pinterest journal, after a couple of years I often forgot to take pictures and post these adventures on Pinterest.  However, I do continue the birthday month and trying new things.

I have pole danced, organized a family reunion, took my parents on a road trip vacation through several states to see places like Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore, I’ve seen the largest wind chime in Illinois, made jelly, picked blueberries, made apple butter, started fund raising for different charities, organized donations to victims of the tornadoes in OK.  I discovered I like asparagus and other vegetables that I would never eat when I was younger.  And the list goes on.

About 2 years ago I took a creative writing class during birthday month.  In this class I discovered I still love to write.  I may not be a good writer but I love to write.

That is where my current journey begins.  

With each class I started a new story.  My mind began thinking in terms of stories.  I have several started and I can’t wait to get them finished.  I think there are a couple that should be movies because I love the story so much.

Then I had this crazy idea to take the small stories I wrote and read at my dad’s funeral and turned them into a series of children’s books.

These 1 or 2 paragraph stories were about the life lessons dad taught me.

I set out with a story about a truck that he built from 2 trucks he had bought at the wrecking yard.

My dad always said he was a jack of all trades and a master at none.  I still laugh when I think about that because my dad could do anything. Not only that but he was a perfectionist at anything he did.

I wrote the book.  It’s called Be Happy with what you Have: Life Lessons from Dad.

I self-published through Author House; which is where you can purchase your copy.

https://www.authorhouse.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/795179-be-happy-with-what-you-have

My goal is to continue with these little stories and finish my ‘big’ stories.  So, I’ve quit my traditional job and I have my fingers crossed that God will bless this new adventure.

Have a GREAT day! Start taking YOUR baby steps today!

Categories: Uncategorized

reichtina

I retired from my traditional job to explore, practice, and create stories for people of all ages.