I am the mother of two children and nana to two grandchildren. We are a small but mighty tribe who can fight as well as we love, but in the end, we show up. Never did I understand that more than yesterday---launch day for my new book, The Secret Sand Circle. Let me set the stage.
My grandson and granddaughter have been a part of my book launches since they were toddlers. Now at ages 21 and 19 respectively, they have their own lives and schedules that keep them busy and often out of town. I had no expectation that they would be involved in The Secret Sand Circle Launch. Yet yesterday my granddaughter called to check on how I was doing and she was front and center watching the livestream of the event last night. By the time the launch wrapped, she had already sent a text telling me that I’d done a great job.
My grandson happened to be in town this week. Still as a grown man, I didn’t imagine he would have the time, or desire to attend the launch. Last week I mentioned he would be welcome and before the words left my mouth, he was asking about proper “book launch” attire. Last night, he was the first one in the door, almost an hour early so he could help if I needed it. And I did. And he did.
My son, James was present at my very first launch but has lived out of town ever since. Even so he has always checked on the progress of my launches and offered advice from his perspective as the marketing/branding person for NY Times Bestselling Authors and the creator of Best Thriller Books Reviewers.
With this book, he raised his support to a new level by creating a haunting video trailer for The Secret Sand Circle (https://youtu.be/joIuHL4feQg ). Then yesterday, on launch day, he promoted my book across his social media platforms, with more than 11,000 followers. All day complete strangers from across the United States were sending me messages of congratulations and wishing me well with my book. I felt like I was Jodi Picoult!
My daughter, Lisa, has been a driving force at every one of my book launches---collaborating on the planning, advising on details and serving as the emcee for the launch presentations. Yet with The Secret Sand Circle, that tradition changed. Her successful event business has had her on a two continent, multi-city event project for the last two months. Finding dates when she was in town and I could schedule the launch just didn’t jive. Neither one of us felt good about it, but we agreed that we had to do what we had to do.
On my way to the launch, I called my daughter. I wasn’t sure if she was still in her event, but I wanted to touch base. I wanted to tell her that I was wearing the new dress she had gifted me and that I would miss her. My call went to voice mail, so I spoke my words and hoped she would hear my love when she listened to the message.
When I arrived at The Twentieth Century Club for the launch, the food/banquet manager welcomed me by pointing out a vase of gorgeous flowers that had been delivered for me. The card read, “Welcome to the World, Secret Sand Circle.” No name was included.
In the rush of getting everything set up and ready, I put aside my curiosity about the identity of the sender, knowing at some point, the person would reveal themself.
Finally, at the appointed time, I took my seat among the presentation panel of six mental health experts for our discussion. The topic was The Secret Sand Circle Community Benefit Initiative that will raise money to help provide Peer-to-Peer Counseling for Mental Health clinicians and first responders. Taking a look around at the audience, I noticed a late comer entering the room. I felt a sort of brain freeze as I struggled to process how that person looked so much like my daughter—-who I knew was in Boston running an event.
Then she smiled---that 1000 megawatt smile that warms the heart of everyone who sees it. And I knew that, despite her business commitments, and regardless of the challenges of scheduling last minute air travel these days, my daughter had found a way to be at the launch….as she had for every other one.
And the flowers? They were sent by my daughter BEFORE she made her last-minute decision to get on a plane and uber to the book launch.
Like I said, we are a small but mighty tribe who can fight as well as we love, but in the end, we show up.
#GreatfulThankfulBlessed #TheSecretSandCircle #HeartandSoulWriter #Family