"WORDS ARE, IN MY NOT-SO-HUMBLE OPINION, OUR MOST INEXHAUSTIBLE SOURCE OF MAGIC. CAPABLE OF BOTH INFLICTING INJURY, AND REMEDYING IT." ~ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Thank You

From the bottom of my heart. Seriously.

The comments, the emails, the cards... the everything. Thank you all so much for your kind, kind words and support last month. They meant more to me than you'll ever know.

They kept me afloat during a rough period of time.

I lost my grandmother on January 27th, three days after my last post. To say that it was sad--shattering, even--for my family and I would be an understatement.

I've had some hurtful things thrown my way. Things that kept me up at night, tossing and turning, miserable from the heartburn that always seems to accompany heartbreak.

I hit a rut in my writing. Losing someone you love, no matter how you lose them, can snuff your creativity the way a tornado can blow out a tea light candle.

I... could go on and on. But I won't, because the point here isn't to complain. The point is that time gives us the grace to move forward, and after a month of taking baby steps toward that grace, my strides have lengthened into a sprint--and I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm finally back :)

Forever altered, for sure, but ready to resume life. Ready to catch up with you all, because I've missed you so. Tell me what you've been up to in the comments, I'm dying to know! Catch me up with everything! 

Before I go, though, I wanted to share something kind of cool.

When my aunt submitting my grandmother's obituary to the Washington Post, a reporter decided to look into Nana's life--and ended up writing a half-page article about her.

The picture in the article is of my grandparents in a NY restaurant, in the 1940s
(The full article is found online here, if you're interested: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/19/AR2011021904486.html

The article itself is pretty amazing. I hang from every word, each time I read it. But toward the end of the column, I read something I never knew: 
"Her memberships included the Society of Children's Book Writers, Mystery Writers of America and the American Association of University Women."
And I think: Hmmm... Society of Children's Book Writers? As in... Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators? As in SCBWI? The same organization that I'm a part of?

And then I smile.

18 comments:

  1. Seems like your grandmother was an amazing woman whole lived a full and fruitful life.
    Sorry for your loss.

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  2. So sorry for your loss. That article is a wonderful momento of such a wonderful writing career and to know that you had just one more link with her through the SCBWI is just one more lovely thing to remember. I wish you lots of love during your healing time.

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  3. I love blog posts like this. Inspiring, hopeful and full of positive energy. Life doesn't always hand us the nicest stuff to work with but you have lived through a terrible loss like a champion. It's good to hear that you're getting back on the horse again. I know writing is important to you and tragedy only sharpens a writer's voice, making it stronger and more passionate. Hope to hear more from you in the future!

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  4. We just celebrated my grandmother's 90th birthday. As amazing as it was to celebrate her life, it also made me realize that it is coming closer and closer to the day I will lose her, and that thought makes me sick inside. Your grandmother sounds like she was an AMAZING woman! I love what I know about her. :-) And it sounds like her legacy is living on in you.

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  5. I'm so sorry for your loss. The love between a grandparent and grandchild is truly one of life's blessings. It sounds like you were especially blessed.
    Nelsa

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  6. I'm deeply sorry for your loss.

    Also, *hugs*.

    You are loved.

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  7. I am so sorry for your loss. I'm sure you'll find the reason to write again; I lost someone I love a lot, and writing is the only thing that is keeping me going.

    *hugs*

    I have to say that you and her being apart of SCBWI is amazing. Maybe that'll be the jump for you to start writing.

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  8. She sounds like an amazing woman. And the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. You are amazing too.
    Hugs to you, Sara! I'm so sorry for your loss. Grandmas are special people.

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  9. *big hugs*

    I bet your grandmother is smiling right along with you.

    Love you bunches.

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  10. What a fantastic article about your Nana -- and what a cool connection to have to her!

    Glad to see you back in the blogosphere, McClinginstein!! Looking forward to this weekend! :)

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  11. I'm glad to see you back around, Sara. Your grandma is very proud of you, I'm sure. What a great find in that article! It's a connection to treasure.

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  12. I'm so sorry about your loss, Sara. But it's so awesome about the article in the newspaper, and that she was once a member of the same organization you're part of.

    LOL I wrote the email to you before reading this post. Spooky.

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  13. *hugs*

    So, so sorry for your loss, Sara. It's good to see you back and how awesome is that article? Thinking of you.

    <3

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  14. Sorry for your loss dear! And it was very touching!

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  15. I'm glad to see you back around the blogosphere again. I'm sorry for your loss, but as you said time has a way of healing things. I know your grandmother must be very proud of you.

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  16. So glad you have found your way back. Grief is painful, but a part of us all. Thank you for sharing yours with us. I, along with everyone else, wish you the best.

    What have I been up to? I quit my job and career of 11 years to jump into self employment, a small refinishing biz and writing. I am super crazy...I know.
    Funny Stuff I Write And Draw

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  17. I am so sorry Sara. There are really no words. This post was beautiful. Your grandmother is smiling down on you, proud that you are following in her writerly footsteps, I'm sure.

    I lost my grandpa 2 years ago in June. He was one of the first to get me into reading. He used to read to my brother and I and we'd giggle when he fell asleep mid-sentence.

    It takes time, but it does get easier...

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  18. Oh, Sara! I'm so so sorry about your loss. What an amazing article to have (and if you haven't already, you should definitely frame and hang it in your writing space for daily inspiration!). Your Nana sounded like a fabulous woman and it seems like your writing career is serendipity, my friend. ;)

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Yay! I love when you have things to add :)