The month of April; what seems like ages ago was really only a few months. I had set upon my maiden Blog Tour in advance of my book’s release, and was having a pretty good time with it. One of my stops was at a blog called Cafe Of Dreams. I’d been asked to write a guest post for it as part of the tour, and the response I received was far beyond what I had expected. The comments—as they do on any blog—represented only those who took the time to respond. For everyone who leaves a comment I think it’s safe to say there may be at least ten to fifteen other readers who don’t.
April Pohren is one of two book reviewers/bloggers I have ‘guesting’ for me this week. Believe it or not, book bloggers are becoming increasingly influential to the publishing industry, as are Virtual Book Tours; can’t see it? Ask Jon Meacham. He’s the chief editor for Newsweek and author of American Lion – Andrew Jackson in the White House. His book won a Pulitzer Prize, and yet Random House set him out on a VBT. That’s something of a virtual ‘fasces’ (fah-shees); a series of rods bound together for strength. A single stick by itself can be broken, but bind them together and they become a column, exponentially stronger.
Such is the quiet but growing power of bloggers.
April’s reviews have always been fair and honest, and more importantly she exudes life. She’s a kind soul and most always upbeat. It is my honor to have her appear here in what I only recently learned is her first-ever guest post, which genuinely surprises me. There is much humanity, and humility, in what she has to say. Thank you for being here, April!
Life is such an amazingly precious gift. It is a gift to cherish dearly and to the fullest extent. I have learned over the years that nothing, and most importantly, no one should ever be taken for granted. When I look into my son’s brilliant blue eyes and my daughter’s hauntingly beautiful hazel eyes, I see love, and I see life’s truth and meaning. They bring to my life, as well as to the lives that they touch, an unending sense of hope, pride and love.
It is amazing how such tremendous innocence can be taken for granted at times. For me, my children are my love, my life and my hope of not only the future and the present, but also the past. How can someone be hope and love of the past, you may ask? Quite simply, if it had not been for the incidences and chain of events that took place in the past, both good and bad, I truly feel I would not be where I am today, with the precious gifts that have been bestowed upon me.
Many people wonder how I can possibly continue with a positive attitude, belief in God and look for the best in people and situations, after having so many “bumps” in the road throughout my life. My answer is quite simple: there is a reason for everything. I know that phrase drives many people crazy, however I truly and very deeply believe it. Perhaps that phrase can be considered my motto in life as well as my belief to live each day as though it were your last, you never know whether or not it just may be. Perhaps many would view this as a morbid thought, however after the loss of so many loved ones, this is one of the most important lessons that I have learned and hope to pass along to others.
When J.W. asked me to write a guest post on what love and hope mean to me, the first thing that popped into my mind was family. I’m not talking just biological family, but those close to you that you know will always be there no matter what. In many cases, that may be friends, in-laws, siblings, parents, those that you have had a chance meeting with and felt that there was an amazing connection to – turning into a closeness and a bond. This closeness and bond that you feel with others is a form of hope, like a candle that flickers and grows brighter withthe support of those you love and hold dear. Hope is the foundation of life. Without hope, there would be such suffocating darkness and bleakness, forcing love to live on the outside, trying with all of its might to fight its way inside. As a person who has fought depression their entire life and continues to do so to this day, I know how hard it can be to have hope, but it is truly harder to live a life without it. Life is so much like that of the seasons which Mother Nature provides for us. In the Winter, just when things seem to be taking a turn toward grayness and loss of hope, something beautiful occurs – the blooming and blossoming of new life. New hopes and a wonderful sense of
new beginnings take over. As Spring turns into Summer, we are blessed with the warmth of love, as the sun splits open the skies and enables family and friends to gather together for picnics, vacations and the joy of being
outdoors. With the coming of Fall, we rejoice in the colorful confetti ofcolored leaves and the knowledge that as the flowers, grass and nature around us seem to be dying off, they are truly making way for a glorious new
life to come. Also in Fall, we make the transition into a joyous time of celebrations and get-togethers, as we head into Winter and the many opportunities to come together to celebrate the abundance of holidays and the gifts of the lives that we have been blessed with.
As I gaze upon my children and see the glow of love and hope upon their faces, I am truly overcome with an all-fulfilling sense of hope and love, not only for myself, but for them. Sure, there are days that are not so
great and days I would like to run away and join the circus, but when it all comes down to it, I carry a deep and ever growing hope which fills my soul and allows it wings to grow and take flight for the future.
**************
What follows is a poem April wrote which I have included because it gives substance to the subtext of her guest post. I’m not much of a poet, but I must say, this little piece’s beauty is wrapped in elegance.
**************
Standing quietly
Darkness like a shroud around her
She glances up to the sky, where stars float like lit candles on a pond
She thinks of the past
Of loved ones lost
She thinks of dreams she let slip away
Gently, she feels a breeze tickle her ear
The chirping of crickets and cicadas playing a beautiful symphony
The rustle of leaves
A whisper
So soft
So gentle
“Let hope grow”
“Feel the power of love”
Where were these words coming from?
She did not know
It was as if the very wind was whispering secrets to her
“Where there is love, there is hope”
“Where there is hope, there is love”
“Never give up, it is never too late”
There it was again
That teasing tickle upon her ear
That soft and comforting voice
Glancing once again at the stars in the dark sky, their brightness like
nothing she had ever seen before
A sense of peace fills her heart
A lightness flows through her very being
Suddenly she doesn’t feel so alone, so scared and without hope
Standing quietly
A gentle smile spreads across her face
This time she sends her own message upon the breeze
“Thank you”
Thank you, from my heart, J.W. for asking me to guest post for you. It is truly an honor.
What resounding words, April! “never give up it is never too late” is my absolute favorite line of the day. Thank you JW for sharing such a wonderful guest today!
April,
What a beautiful post! As someone else who lives with depression and also with a chronic illness I agree Hope is what keeps you going.
Again what a beautiful and uplifting message to start my day!
Marta
Marta’s Meanderings
You are an inspiration, April. Love heals. Your friendship is a treasure.
I truly do believe it’s those “bumps” in the road that make us appreciate our lives and the people in them. Very appropriate thinking for this time of year.
Thanks Kim! I really believe that it’s never too late for anything, as long as it’s truly meant to be. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Hi Marta! I am so glad that you enjoyed the post. I believe that without hope, there is only darkness. You are a wonderful person and hope and love will keep you soaring, my friend!
Oh, K.M., that you so much for the wonderful words. You both are so wonderful and so talented.
Hi Aunt Juicebox!! I believe so, also. If life is too smooth, how do you know what a true treasure is?
April-
I agree that things happen for a reason. . .even if we are unaware of what that reason may be at that point in time. Life is too short and too precious to waste on regrets.
Beautiful words and sentiment. Thank you for sharing your poem!
JW – Great choice in guest blogger.
I’ve only been part of the blogging community a few short weeks, but reading beautiful posts like this makes me sad for all the ones I’ve missed. What a great message you shared with us! And what a lovely poem, it was exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you!
Hi Denise! Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! You are so fabulous and awesome!
Hi Kate! Thank you so much for the wonderfully kind words. They truly bring a smile to me face and warm my heart.
What a truly beautiful post. I feel honored to have been priviledged enough to read it. 🙂
Like you, I think hope and love come together in the fusion of family. I have so many people in my life that make it worth living because of the hope and love they give me and I them daily. My husband, my children, my parents, my grandparents, my friends. I could go on and on. I agree that family is more than just those in my bloodline. My family is comprised of all the people in my life who bring me such happiness and who give me that feeling of complete joy.
Thanks for posting this, J.W. I, too, am one of the lucky authors who has been touched by April’s grace.
April, I couldn’t agree more with your beautiful expressions of hope and love. When I was a kid, I read “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle. L’Engle quoted Euripides, who wrote: “Nothing is hopeless. We must hope for everything.” I used to write that quote in the front of my grade book when I was teaching and life was particularly difficult. It’s no wonder we feel a kinship.
Thank you for the inspiring reminder.
Linda
good job april. that was a very good poem. see you got the brains of the faimily!!! u should get this stuff published dont let your talent go. love ya
Rebekah, thank you so much! Family and friends help to make us the people we are and you are right, it is a two way street. Bringing hope to other people’s lives helps to also bring it into our own. I hope you have a great weekend!
Hi Linda! Thank you for the wonderful words. You are just the greatest and I am so thrilled and blessed to have met you! Myself, as well as millions of children are so lucky to be touched by you and your wonderful stories!
Hi Heather!!! (hey everyone, this is my little sis!) Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! It means a lot!!
April, you did a wonderful job, which you already know between the comments and my earlier e-mail ;^)
Words perfectly suited to the occasion and the ensuing season.
I am so glad you agreed to write the guest post. The pleasure has been all ours to have it featured here for everyone!
Thank you, J.W. and everyone who has taken the time to stop by to read and comment. You are all awesome! I hope you HUGE success with The Light, The Dark & Ember Between and look forward to venturing along and keeping in touch!
WOW!
and if you think that one word is too brief for a comment, usually I need to write 500 word email as a quick note.
You, Dear April, take my breath away.
What can I say, April you truly really exude life just like J.W. wrote in the intro. You are an amazing person who helped me a lot and this post confirms how much love and kindness there is within you. And the poem…it’s beautiful and made me cry.
Thanks April!
Hi Jo Ann! Thank you so much, coming from you that means so much. You always have a way of touching my heart with your kindness and wonderful words.
Hi Lilly!! I am so glad that you stopped by! You are such a wonderful person and I have been so blessed to meet you through our love of books! Thank you so much for your kind words. I am going to let you in on a little secret – while I was writing this, I thought of you. I know how difficult things get and that you suffer from depression as well. You are truly a beautiful soul and know I am always here for you!