I'm Blessed--and So Are the Irish

Just when I thought my life couldn't be more blessed--when all of my girlhood dreams had been fulfilled (i.e., marriage, motherhood, grandmotherhood), I was fortunate enough to see the thick stack of 8 and 1/2-by-11-inch typed pages that I'd been working on for over 4 years get published and become a real, honest-to-goodness book.  I never believed--although I hoped--that I would ever be able to add the title "author" to the other titles I hold so dear: "Snooks," "Mom/Mumsie," "Grammy/Gra Gra."

God has been so good to me.  I know I don't deserve it; however, I am profoundly grateful.  I am especially grateful for the love and support of my husband and my kids, who always believe in me and are unflagging in their encouragement of any endeavor I undertake.  What would I do without them?

Recently, I had the opportunity to write an article promoting my book on CatholicMom.com. The woman behind this website is Lisa Hendey, a well-known Catholic author, speaker, and blogger--and she is also a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Class of '85.  (She is an Irish football fan extraordinaire, so she has a lot in common with the people I know and love!)  In my travels across the Internet, searching for websites that might be willing to list my book in their suggested reading for young adults, I stumbled upon her name and contacted her.  She invited me to write a guest article, and on November 18, 2012, it was posted on CatholicMom.com.  As I am quite busy today, getting settled in back at home after a 2-week-long trip out west and back--unpacking and shopping and decking my halls with boughs of holly, etc.--I just thought I'd post a link to that article (if you're interested). Click on this title, "Finding Grace: A Novel to Inspire Young People," and it will take you there.

For the article, Hendey suggested that I include a photo.  So I had my hubby snap this one, staged to make me look very author-ish.

It's a little bit nerdy.  I posed as if I was sitting there at my laptop, writing away--with my ever-present cup of coffee by my side.  (It's not TOO nerdy, is it?  Please tell me it's not too nerdy.)

Before I go, I wanted to include a link to a blog article that Lisa Hendey posted recently about Fighting Irish linebacker--and probable Heisman candidate--Manti Te'o, who is beloved by Irish fans everywhere.  Click on the title "Manti's Mission, The Year of Faith & Me" to read it.  It's worth the time, believe me; you will be moved, touched, inspired. (And if you weren't a Notre Dame fan before, you might become one!)

Happy reading!