Dear Diary… It’s Been the Best Day Ever
Me and the Town Mayor
It’s been one of those days. The kind where you aren’t quite sure how you ended up this lucky… or blessed… or smiled upon by the great beyond. It’s late and a friend advised that this week’s blog post could be a “dear diary” moment. She advised that I not think too much about it because mostly I’m very tired and my brain is all but empty. So here goes…
Dear Diary… I don’t know that I deserved today. I don’t know that I’ve done enough right things in the world yet. I was on the front page of a newspaper. My face and my name were on an actual MARQUEE. I signed books and talked to so many strangers today. I named a bookclub for a really nice woman and took my picture with the town mayor. And you’d think that would be enough to overwhelm any heart… but that isn’t the thing that did it. My friend drove 5 hours to sit with me and believe in this thing that I believe in (and then 5 hours back home again). My mom wore herself out trying to make sure everyone in the city knew I was there. Friends and family sent notes of encouragement. And then my brother drove into town just to have dinner with me and we had the very best conversation.
Writing this trilogy has been the greatest journey—not because of the accolades—but because it has started conversations. Conversations with strangers. Conversations with family and friends. Conversations full of questions and revelations. And conversations that have brought me closer to the people I love. And maybe I feel like I’m beginning to have the kinds of conversations I’ve been waiting so very, very long to have—the kind that heal.
The tiny town of Marion, Virginia in Smyth County was as warm as any family gathering today and I cannot express my gratitude enough for the support and presence of this community. My day with you has been one of those that I’ll never forget.
Join my reader list and you’ll be the first to know when new work is on the way—sometimes even before it’s finished. You’ll also get access to special pricing just for readers who’ve been here from the beginning. No pressure, no clutter. Just quiet notes, early pages, and the occasional thank-you.
