Tuesday was all encompassing for me! I actually got the preview of my book cover and it was everything I could have hoped for!

However, with two trips to town and life as it is over spring break with the kids all home, I found myself without an entry here on my blog for the day.

But I'm back!

I can only attempt to explain the thrill of opening the PDF file with the cover preview yesterday! What an incredible accomplishment finally realizing the process is so near being complete! It's so incredibly exciting! I have been writing my whole life and to see my book title and name in actual print on the cover of a book is a reality check that ranks right up there with the biggies in my life.

I'm humbled and yet encouraged at the same time! I have so many projects in the works and the consideration of transforming this into a movie script for the purpose of submitting to my movie literacy agent is now looming large in my mind. I suppose God will guide my next steps and projects.

I was thinking about Monday's night blog and considering how fortunate and blessed I've been in so many ways with so many different children in my life. Not from infancy - but still in my life. Sharell and I have often discussed that she was always meant to be my daughter but the way it was meant to work out apparently didn't accommodate God's delivery date for her into the world at a time I was accommodating such matters. LOL Therefore, he had to go about it the long way around. She is such a blessing to me and I love her so much as well. And much the same as I have had to let go and trust God with Chad's life... So it is that I have often prayed and asked God to see to this precious one and her own as well.

Not just Chad and Sharell however. I have often considered how difficult it would be or will be to get that call someday as it pertains to one of those life’s that lived with us, touched our lives and took a piece of our hearts with them. I hope and pray for only good news, success stories and the reflected love as is the case with Sharell, Drew, Gray and a few others. But on the other hand, I can't help but consider how my heart will ache if I should ever get the sad, sad news of any of my kids demise.

Yet, the love that I have received from so many of these youth over the years is precious. I suppose that this is an appropriate time to say these things and remind myself as well as any reading here that it hasn't all been up hill. I was there when Sharell gave birth to her third son - Josh... I was there when not one but many of those kiddo's crossed the platform to receive their high school diplomas... I was there when Kenny told me the day he showed our Palomino at the Colorado State Fair and had a blue ribbon that it was the best day of his entire life.... I was there when Drew was knocked senseless riding a bull at a jr rodeo... I was there through football games, proms, homecomings, first dates, proposals, prayers, tears and laughter. I was there when we were teaching William how to dance in my grandfathers assisted living apartment living room.... I was there.... There are so many memories and so many smiles! There are so many kids, so many names, so many lives... And I was there, guiding, caring and loving each and every one of them in a way that many don't believe is possible. But I know! I know, because I was there!

So, when I lay my head down to call it a night in a short while from now, I believe instead of asking God "Why me?" as I have been known to do with some of the difficulties that we have faced in the past few years...I will instead simply say "Thank you for allowing it to be me!" I wonder who I'd be and where I'd be today had I not been on the very journey that has led step by step to right where I am at this very second. Would I be taking life and love for granted? Would I even understand what love is as I do now? I don't know, but I do know, I am thankful and I love my kids. Not just Chad though there will always be a special bond with the child of my womb. Not just Sharell because we both agree she was meant to be mine from the start gate in Heavens plan... No, not just one or two....But all of them in one way or another. And those who were absolutely unlovable who didn't even make it here; I still loved enough to pray for them and their futures.

Again I say.... Thank you Lord!

As for "The Big House on the Hill"... Still waiting. The good news is that there are no "Under Contract" signs on the listing as of yet... It will only be good news if the contract is ours! LOL
But whatever tomorrow brings is in God's hands and I will trust the process as I know beyond a doubt, he is in it!
I tend to think that anything that God is in, he's in to win! With him as our coach, captain, director and over seer, how could we go wrong?

And as for the book... It will be available through traditional book sources - Barnes and Noble among many other outlets by the title name "A Love Beyond Time" By no other than me Sherry Lynn Lipari... Boy does that sound new and different! Again, I say "Thank you Lord!"

Have a great night and I'll hopefully be back tomorrow!

Love to all!
Sher-Bear