Tuesday, January 15, 2013

A Thank You, an Apology, and a New Perspective


I have been silent lately; my twitter, blog, even my Facebook accounts virtually non-existent.  Save a few tweets I have responded to, I haven’t so much as said two words to anybody outside my immediate world.  It’s not because I’m unmotivated or have suddenly run out of things to say; rather because life dealt me a difficult set of cards to play with this past month.  A hand, I will add, that I beat – taking a High Card and turning it into a Royal Flush kind of beat them!   See last month, December 16th at 11:46 am to be exact, my very athletic, young, doesn’t drink/ doesn’t smoke, run-ten-miles-a-day husband had a heart attack.  The kind most people don’t live through.  For three hours I was faced with the very real possibility of having to start over. Alone.  Then he woke up, asked his Cardiac Surgeon what the hell had happened, then bugged him for the next four weeks about when he could start running again.

So here is where the thank you’s come in.  Life tends to get monotonous after a while.  You end up doing the same thing day after day not giving a second thought those around you.  You become careless with people, not because you mean or selfish, but just because your interactions become routine.   Until something happens and you send out a random text, something along the lines of I need you to walk my dog to your best friend, the friend who can read between the lines and knows that those seven, seemingly innocuous words have nothing to do with your dog.  Her reply… not a I will send Liam over to walk him, but rather a where are you and what’s wrong.   It’s the PTO who you have dedicated four years of your spare time to, the one that you constantly complaining about that sends two weeks’ worth of food.  All homemade.  It’s the brother from Chicago you only see once a year who shows up unannounced 8 hours later to watch your kids.  It’s the friend you share car-pool duties with who, without prompting, asked your kids what was one their Christmas list then finished your shopping for you.  And it’s coming home that first night at midnight, thinking the house would be painfully empty, to find your book club sitting there, wine open and your Christmas tree up and fully decorated, cheese and chocolate spread out on your table.  So Cyndie, Margaret, Katie, Carolyn, Ann Marie, Meg, Julie, Bill, and Marie . . . Thank you.

With my mind pre-occupied, I have slacked off on my reading.  For that I am truly sorry.  There are three insanely talented writers for whom I was given the privilege of critiquing for.  I am making my way through those manuscripts now.  They are amazing, as I expected, and I can’t thank you enough for your patience.  I promise, you will all have them back by this Friday.  Promise!  To those of you who offered to beta my new YA Contemporary, I will be in touch soon.   I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the offer!

My perspective on how I treat those around me isn’t the only thing that has changed; my writing has as well.  I have been at this publishing game for a couple of years, have seen my shares of crazy highs and equally depressing lows.  But I’ve never given up, never once thought all for not.  That hasn’t changed.  If anything watching my life swirl back into focus has re-invigorated my desire to write, cemented my need to take all these crazy ideas, emotions, and complexities of life and get them down on paper.  Without another world, another set of character’s lives to escape into each night, I think I would have truly lost it. 

So thank you to all those who kept me sane this past month and here is to a new year full or good friends and great reads!

17 comments:

  1. That's so frightening, Trisha. I'm so glad to hear he made it through and that you'll be able to start putting things back together, TOGETHER. (Tell the guy to take it easy for a bit, sheesh!) Both my mother and father have had heart attacks in the last 5 years. It's scary how helpless you become in those instances. All you can do is 'feel' it seems.

    We're all guilty of neglecting important things and people in our lives. In fact, I think that's just the very nature of life. But there's no shame in you striving to do it less moving forward.

    Here's to a healthier '13 for you and your family. You've given me a huge reminder this AM to embrace the time we are given right now, because we don't always get another chance at things.

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, E.J. This may sound completely crazy, but I think this may be one of the best things that happened to us.

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  2. I'm glad things are getting better and that you had the support of so many wonderful better. I can't imagine being in you shoes, hang in there!

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    1. Thanks Prerna. I am pulling for you as you enter the query world. You are a talented writer!

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  3. I am so happy your husband is ok and what a wonderful group of friends and family you have! I am glad they were there for you and glad you're back :)

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    1. I am back alright and looking forward to getting back into the thick of writing again.

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  4. What a terrifying time for you, but also how beautiful that so many stepped in when needed and that your husband recovered. All the best to both of you, and be sure you do take time for yourself. Other things can wait and should.

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    1. I have an amazing group of friends, both online and off, for which I how an eternal debt of gratitude. They keep me sane on a daily basis.

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  5. A frightening story for sure. I'm so happy that your husband has pulled through such an ordeal. Heart attacks can happen at any age. I guess I should be thankful for each day that I live where something bad doesn't happen to me.

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    1. Thankful... now there is an emotion I certainly took for granted for too long.

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  6. Oh my goodness I am so happy your husband is better. That is a beautiful story of how you learned you had so many wonderful friends who love you!
    I hope everything continues going well for him and you.

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    1. Onward and upward as my mom would say. Things get a little better everyday which is more than I could ever ask for. Thanks for your kind words, Kristin.

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  7. TRISHA!! That is a crazy/scary/frightening/and inspiring post. We never realize how truly wonderful our friends and family are until we really need them. I'm glad your husband is back on his feet, and will continue to improve. Take care of him and take care of yourself. That's all that really matters. <3<3<3

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    1. Becky!!! It is times like that when I wished my writing friends lived closer.

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  8. Oh, Trisha, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how terrifying that had to be. My thoughts are with you and your family, and I'm so glad he pulled through!

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  9. That post brought tears to my eyes, for many reasons. Good reminders for a New Year. Thanks!

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  10. I am so glad that your husband is doing well, and that you have so many special people in your life to lend a hand when needed. Cyber hugs and best wishes to you!

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