In Memoriam. Thank You for our Freedom.

Memoriam

"We look upon you,
after bittersweet exits,
for this day has come
to hear us shout,

It’s time we express,
don’t forget our merits,
lives or memoriam,
we ask, remain devout.

“Our bodies are gone,
we hope not forgotten.
We’ve left a legacy
to use for future plans.
Grief lingers, a new dawn,
read what we’ve written
value our tenacity,
and the historians.

 “War left us broken
some beyond repair,
others decay in the earth;
emotions locked away
left horrors unspoken
push farther into despair
while trying to find worth
as we struggle to stay.

“These were sacrifices,
for family and freedom
we hope you’ll remember
many years from now.
To some, too great a price,
misused humanity’s wisdom,
but we’re of high caliber,
today’s tribute, every day’s vow.”

I’ll stop the world…

…for you. Over the past few days people have been talking about the end of the world. I guess some guy predicted today at 6:00 p.m. will be our demise. Was that 6:00 p.m. central time? I don’t know. And if I can recall correctly, I thought the bible says the world will end by man’s hands alone. Hmmm…nuclear power plants come to mind so I can believe that.

This talk of the world ending brings up some good questions about life. Could you answer “yes” to all of the below if the world was about to end?

1) I have no regrets

2) I’ve kept in contact with everyone important to me.

3) I’ve spent quality time with friends and family

4) I’ve lived a fulfilled life

5) I accomplished my goals

6) I’ve done everything I wanted to do

7) I worked hard to get and keep what’s important to me

8) I fixed any poor choices I made

9) I’ve worked hard to become a better person

10) (If you’re a Christian) I kept God as an important part of my life

11) I’ve worked at living a healthy life

The list could go on and on, but these are just a few. A few I’ve asked myself at different times in my life. When I’ve made these statements in the past, they sometimes put me back on track in life. I think it’s important we ask ourselves such things every now and then because it puts things into perspective.

“I’ll do it tomorrow”. Tomorrow may never come. “I will when I have enough money”. You may never have enough. “Let’s wait until the children are grown”. You might not be here when they’re grown. “I don’t have time”. This is true—you don't have much time—so get going.

If anything, reach out to someone special today. Hug a stranger who looks like they could use one. Write down your goals and start achieving them. Mend the past and learn from it. Work every day to become a better person. Keep God in your heart and mind.

I can’t stop the world for you but I can lend you a hand.

Bear with Me

I have finally finished my third revision and what a relief. After going through my fabulous beta’s comments, and taking in my editor’s suggestions, I dug deep on this revision. This edit added 24 more pages, thickening the suspense, and I can’t thank my beta reader and editor enough for their hard work and thoroughness. Along with the additional chapters, I created a character list (as they appear) and another document for dates, notes and additional chapters.

It felt like I was working on this revision for a long time, but I want to make it the best it can be. In my experience as a reader, I think thrillers are more plot driven than character driven, but mine has to balance the two. It’s important I keep the two a high priority. As a whole, my characters and plot need to bring the reader in and keep them interested, and I think I’m really close to the finish line.

Thank you for following along with my writing. Hope you have a nice week.

I Need You!

How is everyone doing? Are you sick of this rain…if you live in Chicago? I can’t wait to see the sun. 

First things first, I’m selling my condo. In the side bar, you’ll find a link with a description and pictures for my “Condo for Sale”. If you know of anyone looking for a condo on the south side of Chicago, please forward the link. It’s within walking distance to the train, which is appealing as we watch the price of gas rise.

Secondly, I’m planning on self-publishing a book of poems but I’ve run into a brick wall. I’m having trouble coming up with a book title. My poems aren’t about one specific subject; death, writing, seasons, dreams, religion, life, and more. I’d like a title embracing many topics. Please let me know if something comes to mind.

Thanks for any help you can give me with the above.