It’s pub day! The book is out at long last! I really hope you all enjoy it- All Dogs Go to Kevin has truly been a labor of love. (That link goes to my new website. Did I mention I have a new website? It’s been so busy around here I think I forgot.)
Last weekend I went to Warwicks to sign the preordered books. Brian and the kids were at ComicCon, so I went to Warwicks by myself. It was a short task, no more than 20 minutes, so I couldn’t figure out why I was so bummed about going alone, and then I realized ohhhh. It’s another one of those moments.
The thing I will miss most about my mom is not the big celebrations, the ones everyone goes to: holidays, book signings, that sort of thing. It’s the little celebrations, the moments no one else would think mattered, but she always did. If she were around, she would never have let me go alone. She’d go with me, we’d get lunch, then she’d talk me into shopping for a little while in downtown La Jolla. But she’s not here, so my twenty minute task was just that- 20 minutes in a little bookstore office with a Sharpie feeling terribly sad.
I’m trying not to let my sadness get in the way of being happy, but it’s so hard not to have her here. We have a series of white rosebushes in our backyard that bloom almost year-round, and I really like them because they remind me of my parents’ yard. Plus, it made it really easy to send random nosegays to teachers and the like since they were always blossoming, scattering white petals all over the grass like confetti. Mom loved them too, of course.
Brian- not so much. He’s been threatening to pull them since we moved in. He’s been talking about it again the last few weeks, and I made him promise to leave me at least one or two, for Mom, and he said, “OK.”
This afternoon he had someone come over to give us a quote for doing some of the backyard work. I peered through the window to make sure Brian saw me giving him the evil eye- not ALL the rosebushes, ok??- and I noticed something I had never seen before in all the time we’ve been here:
Someone’s been painting the roses red.
The roses stay, obvs.
It’s funny how the moments that impact are not the large and grandiose gestures, but the fleeting surprises that hit you like a much needed breeze. How I can be sad about a less than perfect rose in my garden when so many people in this world know nothing but weeds? Mom’s here in every sunset and every butterfly and her love feels no less potent for the lack of her physical presence.
It’s a beautiful day here in San Diego. The book is out and it’s my fourteenth wedding anniversary- a date traditionally marked by ivory but now the theme is “animals.” Mom sent flowers. How can I complain?
awwwww…. this is great. It is in the little things we miss our loved ones; but how beautiful you can feel her with you and see the flowers she sent you 🙂
What a big day! Congrats on it all. I’m sure your mother is proud!!!
PS: so will you still have this blog along with your new website?
Absolutely! The new site is mostly professional stuff, and this…is its own thing. 🙂
Congratulations! Amazon told me mine has shipped, and I can’t wait to get it.
Will the blog stay here or go to the new website?
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it! I will be staying here for the blog and just using the other site for book updates and the like.
That was just beautiful. Mom’s still looking out. Just got my copy on kindle and I cant wait to read it. Congrats!
Thank you so much!!
Congratulations to you – on both occasions! The roses are beautiful, and how cool that nature smacked you with that paint surprise at precisely the best moment.
By the way, I just got to chapter 11 and had to force myself to put away the reading device. Cracked up at the neighborhood pool a few times, too (especially the part about the ear-infected pittie. oops). 😀 Can’t wait to read the rest! You should be very proud!
Thank you Elizabeth! I’m glad you are enjoying it!
Congrats on your new book! I love how little things remind us of our lost loved ones <3
Thank you!!
Congratulations on both your book and your wedding anniversary! I love the beautiful words you wrote about your mom. Thank you for sharing! <3
Thank you Christina!
My dad passed away just this June 27th. I’ve already experienced several moments of these “small things” that are missed. My dad was a lot like your mom in ways from what I’ve read here. Congrats on the book, the new website and everything. It’s ok to be a little sad over these things, even years from now when you find yourself wishing you could share a minor victory, or other moment with your mom. Do it! Smile, and say “Hey mom- look what I just did!”. EIther you’ll feel better, or if you say it out loud- folks will think you’re a little off! and that’s ok too!! 🙂
Oh goodness, I am so sorry for your huge loss as well Michelle. I’m glad to know I’m not crazy because I do talk to Mom sometimes. 🙂