Journey With Jeff; Inspiration for Caregivers of People with Special Needs

This is what the cover of my book that I'm birthing looks like! This is our son, Jeff at four years old.

Journey With Jeff; Inspiration for Caregivers of People with Special Needs

This weekend at Camp-of-the-Woods at Speculator, NY, - way up north in the Adirondacks - we were in an awesome setting for our Lutheran Women's convention! About 150 women came, many of them long-time friends, plus, I have some brand new friends! I soaked up the laughter, the hugs, the sharing, and the wisdom of the speakers, as a sponge. 35 came to my Workshop on "Caregiving," where several women shared their caregiving experience for children with special needs, and for aging parents -- especially those in the "Sandwich Generation" dealing with both challenges. All 40 of my flyers saying "New Book Available in November 2007!" went home with individual women, and I have a few orders already! I am so anxious that "Journey With Jeff; Inspirations for Caregivers of People with Special Needs" gets to where it needs to go!! You can read excerpts of four of the stories on the website: www.luther95.com/UNYSWE-ANY/ Click on Resources and scroll down to "Journey with Jeff." I invite your comments.

Tomorrow two friends and I will catch a bus in Rochester full of Lutheran Women on their way to our Upstate NY Synod Convention at Camp-In-the-Woods at Speculator Lake (near Lake George) with an appropriate outdoor theme. I'm looking forward to hearing the keynote speaker, Tom Porter, Spokesman and Chief Spiritual Leader of the Mohawk Community in Fonda, NY. Then, Saturday night an Adirondack Storyteller will weave his spell. Meanwhile, my part in the Convention is presenting a "Caregiving" Workshop, featuring my "Journey With Jeff; Inspiration for Caregivers of People with Special Needs," and the wonderful stories in "Chicken Soup for Caregivers," and "Chicken Soup for the Soul--Children with Special Needs." I hope to stimulate lively sharing, and encouraging, and networking in those two 45 minute sessions. One of the best things about these gatherings is seeing old friends again! Yes!!

I am so blessed to have a son-in-law, his mom, Jean, and a nephew to help me figure out all the possibilities of my computer! Today Jean created new business cards that include my blog address. We wanted to use the clip art I'd used on my older cards, but it vanished when my computer crashed in March! She had saved it on her Mac, and used her flash-drive to transfer it to my PC. Now I have several flyers announcing "Journey With Jeff" coming in November, plus 100+ business cards to use as I begin to Market my book. I've downloaded several articles from BookSurge, and listened to conference calls on line to absorb as much as possible. Upward and onward!

Days have passed since I've blogged, days filled with more editing of "Journey With Jeff." BookSurge want to make sure everything is just right!! Meanwhile, I am preparing for a "Caregivers" Workshop for our Lutheran Women's NYS Annual Convention this coming weekend. I want to recognize those who are caregivers of people with many special needs, including the "Sandwich Generation" who care for parents and children at the same time, and comfort and encourage them. I understand there will be about 30 in my Workshop, so I pray there will be many stories, and encouraging of each other. I plan to use stories in the "Chicken Soup for Caregivers," and "Chicken Soup for the Soul - Children with Special Needs," as well as in "Journey With Jeff." I wanted so much to have my book in my hand to go to this convention, but my favorite son-in-law (my only one,LOL) has created a flyer I can take with me with my address and the price ($14.95, plus $4.50 S&H), and this blog address for comments.

I've been working on writing our son,Jeff's story for many years. I wanted other parents of children with developmental disabilities not to feel they were alone in their struggles. Finally got it all together, sent it to a number of publishers who all basically said, "It's lovely, but we can't use it." So,...I read it onto 5 CDs, calling it, "Journey With Jeff; Inspirations for Caregivers of People with Special Needs." Many of the people who bought it ($17.00 + tax) said they'd also like a copy in book form so they could turn over a corner of the page, or put in a book mark, or underline. Therefore, I have been working with BookSurge (an Amazon.com company) to self-publish the book. Almost done!! Sent in my digital proof corrections today. A couple more steps and I'll hold it in my hand!!! It's getting pretty exciting!