Local Authors' Extravaganza at Liftbridge

This was the third Local Author's Extravaganza I've attended, and the largest one yet! It's great to bask in the energy of writers, known and unknown, and to meet new ones. There were refreshments, and a chance to talk with others about their books, and 5 - 10 minutes for each author to read excerpts from his or her book ~~ some good, and some just not my style. I chose to read "Welcome to Holland," by Emily Peri Kingsley (permission to include it in "Journey" granted by the author,) and "Jeff's Delight" about his love of music. Then I added the response I received from a mother in GA, who said, "In short, what I want to say is that "Journey With Jeff" has helped me to work through the last of my 'mourning' over the loss of the child I'd hoped for and welcome with open arms the trip to Holland instead." I am saving all these responses with the hope to include them in a sequel about how Jeff has blessed so many with his story. ~~~ One of the people attending this event was a legally blind, little person who is studying Social Work at Brockport SUNY. Very interesting to talk with, he bought "Journey With Jeff" in book form and as a CD, asking me to sign them both. Perhaps he'll be a key to having a professor use this book as a text for his or her class?!?!? That will certainly get "Journey" out there!!!!

A New Twinkle in My Eye

"I didn't know you went through all this. You always seemed upbeat and happy." These are words I've heard fairly often from long-time friends and wide-spread family after they have read "Journey With Jeff." There was alot of laughter in our house, and in Jeff's programs and residences, even in the hospital where he spent 22 months. God gave me a calling, and brought others along the way to help. I found that laughter progresses healing, and sustains hope. Especially, "Holy Laughter" which laughs in the face of peculiar circumstances.~~~ There's a chapter in my book called "A New Twinkle," and the quote at the beginning is a poem by Margaret Bailey: "God, give me sympathy and sense, And help me keep my courage high; God, give me calm and confidence, And, please, a twinkle in my eye." Joy prepares us for the long haul when circumstances can lead to tears or laughter -- one never knows!! (Photo of Jeff and friend at Camp Joy)