This is what one of my moms said about JC
I grew up where I live now. My community is one where the philosophy “It takes a village to raise a child” was practiced. As a boy, I had my fair share of parents, good parents. Those relationships held strong in my teen years and into my “first life” after college when I worked on my extended family’s farm fulltime.
Kathy was one of my moms. Kathy and husband Carl were there for me, my older sister and younger brother. The couple had three kids of their own, and the six of us were close. Carl was my baseball coach for years, and the twosome, who are still neighbors, had an in-ground pool! Hello beautiful summer retreat!
Life moves us in different directions. Kathy and Carl lost their son suddenly and tragically. My dad, who was such a friend to Carl, also died suddenly and sadly. The two families never fell apart; no more major tragedies hit either family; but the strongest pieces that held us together (including the operation of the farm itself) had slipped away.
Kathy had heard about my book, and, like any good mom, she jumped when she could and ordered not one copy but three—one for herself, and two for her daughters.
It was WONDERFUL to see Carl and Kathy at their home when I dropped off the novels. It was as if the time had never parted us. We laughed. We shared stories. We bonded as adults, which was new and good. In their company and through their eyes, I realized again how lucky I am to live where I do because of my truly endearing family of love.
Kathy wrote to me today. It was a review of the novel in the form of a letter. With permission, I tweaked five or six minor things—no more than a period here, a comma there. She said, “I am no writer,” but as a smart and savvy entrepreneur in her own right, she understood this venture and the mountain before me to see JESUS CLONED reach its audience.
JESUS CLONED has been reviewed, and I do pray more reviews come, but to date no one so close to me shared what the novel has done for them. I still choke up when I think of what she wrote, a woman who wrongly claims she is not a writer. My novel gifted her, which is EXACTLY why I wrote it. Goal achieved. God is close, and God is good. Our hurts do not divide us. Instead, His grace surrounds us—connects us—no matter how many years and tears have fallen.
I asked her for a photo of her holding my novel, which she loves and recommends. I will get it. I will frame and proudly display that upcoming photo. It will be a keepsake not of my journey, but of OUR journey together.
When you read this Kathy, know that I love you.
And I thank you.
For everything.
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