Letters to Heaven: Out of this world!

Mama Schaefer with my girls, 5 May 2012

The 2nd Susan Grant Book I Read, The 1st (Your Planet or Mine?) Got Lost in One of Our Many Moves

My Susan Grant Collection, 2016

Happy birthday Mama Schaefer!

I have BIG news (okay, in the grand scheme of things it wouldn't seem that big to most people but it is for me & it would have been for you, too)! First, let me start by saying you are missed every single day. I can hardly believe two years have passed since we lost you, and just like with my own mother, I feel your presence and absence the most poignantly on your birthday. Oh, how I wanted to call you this morning and tell you about my evening and start of today! You were the first person I thought of to share my news with because from the moment you took me under your wing when I was sixteen you became my constant champion. You saved everything I ever wrote, and when you read my novel, you said, "Don't you give this to your friends! You publish that book, sweetheart!" So, I did!

Anyway, remember years ago me telling you about one of my favorite writers, Susan Grant, whose stories took me to places I always dreamed of going with characters I could have easily called "friend" in my real life? I was bouncing up and down with joy when I phoned so long ago to excitedly tell you that I'd emailed her and she'd responded (I still have that email, along with every one YOU ever sent me)! Well, she's got a new book coming soon, and I wrote a brief message on her Facebook page telling her how eager I was to read it and she wrote back! The most amazing part, however, is that she took the time from her own life to go to my website, read some of my blogs and tell me that I "write beautifully"! I cried when I read that, mama. It is truly stunning just how much difference little words of encouragement can make. You'd think after all the students I've had, I would know that lesson well, know how eager they are to receive any kind of praise and go above and beyond to keep getting more! Turns out it's just as powerful when you're all grow'd up, even if you think you don't "need" it.

How many years did this dream of becoming a writer seem too big for me, beyond my reach and how many times did you tell me, "If other people can do it and be successful, why NOT you?" Your faith in me and comments from friends, family, and strangers on my blog posts are such an amazing gift that I cherish every single time someone responds. Having a writer whom I respect as a woman for her own personal accomplishments, and for her elegant, lovely way of spinning a tale I can't put down just stop by MY webpage and comment on my work with such words of encouragement is like getting a wondrous gift I didn't even know I wanted! I know my feet have not touched the ground all day. Somewhere in the back of my mind has been this whisper of your voice telling me, "See? You've got this. Keep going, keep dreaming...dream bigger and never stop!"

Don't worry, mama...we're all following what you suggested before those final breaths you took. I named this year "Go After Your Dreams Fearlessly" but I promise we're going to take that into every year to come.

I love you.

Always,
A.


Note: To Ms. Susan Grant I want to say, thank you most sincerely for encouraging me! Taking the time out of your life to do that for me is a powerful thing and I really appreciate it.