Another day in paradise. Actually writing this after just a few hours of sleep last night. Up working till late after some inspired moments. A dear couple from church paid us a visit last night, and we shared a meal together. It’s such a blessing getting to know Maxx and Kara Bernier, and their beautiful five-year old daughter, Noelle.
Because time was escaping us, they hurried to meet me in my office in regards to the presentation I’m putting together. It’s a shame to have misplaced my notes from the talk I did in Atlanta; but that’s alright, I guess, since we’re putting more “meat” and substance into it this time around. (Also prayerful the word will continue to get out about my debut project. Good to know God’s agenda won’t be thwarted.) With Maxx’s military background, perhaps some other doors would open.
Anyway, Maxx and Kara listened to the thoughts and ideas I had come up with for the presentation and provided me a lot of feedback. One of the songs I’d been fixing to use got vetoed, they made suggestions to rearrange some of the points, and countless other things. That’s all I can remember without looking at the notes we took, and they’re in another room. Actually, the computer in my office doesn’t function so well; typing on it is tedious. On my other laptop, this one, it works just fine.
Anyway, after all was said and done, they had not left our place until late. Felt bad, since Maxx works in Naples and had to get up at 6 this morning. Praying God will sustain him. Beautiful family. Very thankful. Grateful. (They were bewildered when we spoke a bit about my pessimistic nature, my negativity. I know, I know. That’s just me, shouldn’t be. I’ll have to work on it.)
Wadical, as Bugs Bunny would say. That was my Monday in a nutshell. Excellent visit to see Miss Kerry, my neuropsych, at noon….she’s so glad things is going well. That’s what Dana had said to tell her, since I don’t remember too well. (BTW, love the Southern twang, heard more so in the Bible belt. Them kind folks is super….great friends.) Happy the Lord’s still providing. Had a check in the mail from Westbow Press, the publisher of my debut project. Continuing to receive from my other online booksellers, as well. Not exponentially, but a dollar a day makes Jack a poor boy. Not really. (If you know of anyone who wants a copy of my book, in my closet lay many I could sell them….without a shipping and handling charge.) Finished cleaning the desktop on my computer, which had been flooded by docs from all my previous writing projects. Also blessed last week to get a copy of the latest Quicken software. It helps me sort business expenditures from personal ones and is wonderful. Able to make a few posts on fb today, some from my company’s fb page. In conclusion, Yahweh reigns in my heart and hopefully yours. The era of grace passeth quickly. For myself also, are we doing all we can to discourage unbelievers from their path of pride, sin, and destruction? “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” For those unwilling souls, what they taste of and experience will be far bitter. I’m afraid they have no idea.
Great church service this evening. Met some new friends today, we had lunch together. Max and Cara (sp?) plus their young daughter. It’s exciting who the Lord brings your way when you’re least expecting it. Blessing after blessing. Cara’s going to help me on the social media package I got with the (debut) book. That’ll help me out tremendously; up till now, had been unable to get it going.
Don’t think I’ll be able to take a portion of tomorrow off, like my Friday tendency has been in the past. A friend is coming in the morning to pick up the bunk bed set we’re getting rid of. After that, several things to do: continue adding business expenses in the new Quicken software I picked up this week; more research, some online; etc. Prepping for another trip to Atlanta to visit the church where I spoke a few months back. Most of that presentation had been from memory and with limited notes. Preparing now for additional talks I’ve been told may be coming my way, and a kind friend from church has offered to help me with that. Very thankful. Hard to believe another school year has nearly ended, being almost in the last quarter already. My work-related duties will most likely slow down during the summer. So trying to get as much done as possible in the time we have left. (Don’t get me wrong; absolutely LOVE spending time with and getting to interact with our children in this season of their youth.
The day started with us returning the cat we’d gotten last night bc of severe allergic reactions. Noticed a youth car wash en route, and we stopped there on the way home. Foresight, insight, instinct, blessing. I’d never seen such thorough and hard-working kids as these in the Mariner High School medical academy program. No need elaborating on their meticulous detail. However, meeting their supervisor turned out to be the best thing. Ms. Tucker shared her background, working in the nursing field, neuro unit?, her experience with near-fatal accidents, and teaching in the schools’ medical program. She seemed thrilled to get ahold of my book. We’ll see where the Lord takes it.
It’s been a while…..my bad. Busy with many things, plain and simple. Returned a week ago from a writing seminar in another state. Came back refreshed, exhilarated, with more gumption than ever to stay the course. It was hard being away from my family for a week. As Dana says, ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder.’
Hard to believe our meeting with the new publisher in Oklahoma is just a few months out. It’s not looking like I’m going to get everything done I’d wanted to; but I will do as much as possible.
I want to proceed with my personal projects at a steady pace; but feel obligated to return to the story about my little buddy with mitochondrial disease. His days may be numbered, haven’t talked to them in ages (except for a recent text to his mother and occasionally reading on fb about him). When I put his project aside some time ago, we’d had so much completed on it.
Personally, Dana and I had a fun lunch date today at Bajio Grill. (I would be remiss not to mention the diet we’ve been on for nearly three weeks, Take Shape for Life. So far I’ve dropped eleven pounds and feeling good.) It seems more than coincidental walking around Staples this afternoon and talking at length with an HP rep. I happened to give her one of my cards and she wanted my book. It turns out this Miss Heather has a gig of her own and produces business cards, shirts, other promotional items, and so forth. Can’t wait to visit her website: “heather@JetDesignstudio.com,” and may touch base tomorrow with her for more ideas.
Turns out our new car man is going to help promote and advertise my book….took him a box of them. He is the fellow about whom I may help put together a book about his life and business at some point. Anyway, cannot say enough good things about him and his business: Bayshore Truck and Auto Service Center, Inc. (Charlie Porter).
Delightful day….finished the book “Head Cases.” Cannot begin to describe all the good information I gleaned from it. Some I had been aware of, but much was new. Have several more books to go through, plus yesterday we ordered a half-dozen more. Also I need to sort through at least ten additional lengthy journal articles, in addition to new data I might find. Sometime in the future, I’d like to begin putting together a more solid, yet still tentative, outline of the points to be discussed and talked about. Soon I need to get a better handle on how to have this next writing project (book) published. Have an unofficial deal with someone; yet need to see if that’s going to be the best option. I have multiple book titles (tentative) to consider. Already I may be wavering from my original thoughts, which would limit it to the topic of brain injury related to the concept of forgiveness. (The few sources I’ve looked at tells me there’s so much more.)
Another delightful “meeting” this morning at Wendy’s. Diet coke/lime today….liking that the best, I think. Great chance to talk with the managers I’ve befriended. They’ve been so good to me. William is one; Armani is the other. She works so hard, besides raising two youngsters, as I found out. Have so much to be thankful for. Read about brain injury related to Iragi veterans. Oh my. It’s even worse for the Iraqis who get hurt. The (neuro)surgeries there are difficult, sometimes being unable to get sufficient oxygen pressure and those sorts of things. Grateful mine was here in the states and at the young age with the better capability for God to restore my life. So, my research for the next project is continuing and filling me with unique insights and thoughts as to a potential outline.
Brain Injury: the often-hidden, silent impairment no one understands. The struggles which confront a survivor, or victim, are ongoing. I say ‘victim,’ but not really. Usually, this sub-group appreciates life differently than a normal person. I know ‘normal’ may be a relative term, but it is much different than abnormal. No longer having a brain – the body’s control-center – that functions as it should. Granted, everyone has challenges and obstacles to be overcome in life; but for them, their challenges are unique. Generally, they can be overcome, should life not have dealt them too severe a blow. Some brain-impaired, or should I say, a select few, can thrive in their new lot in life. With the help of loved ones, the gracious hand of God, and the utilization of IEP’s, many can return to school. They can thrive in their new body and altered personality. Quite often, they may have some sense, or memory, of what life was like prior to the accident, or injury. Sometimes it hurts when they recall being normal. Not many, save close family members, can know what they were like prior to the impairment.
I have a good idea where my next book is going as I begin to put it together. Though, I would pose a question at this point in my research. Are there specific topics, or questions, my audience would like to be discussed? Just wondering. I’m only a few months in and anticipating this taking five to ten years, at least, to put together. That’s all for now.
