Hands Free Life
Page 21
I kept my promises,
I gave loving hellos and undistracted goodbyes.
If I live to be 100, it will be because I lived and loved
more than my heart ever thought possible.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
THE WRITING OF THIS book occurred during a time of transition for my family. My familiar sources of encouragement, support, and inspiration that used to fuel my writing in the past were disrupted by an out-of-state move. For many weeks I felt lost, homesick, and worried that I would not meet the deadline for submitting this book to my publisher. For the first time in my life I found it difficult to write, so I stopped. I stopped trying and let myself acclimate to my new surroundings. I put my complete trust in God that this book would be written in his time. Six weeks later, this book flowed from my fingertips. The night before, Scott had taken me to see one of my favorite bands, Counting Crows, at an intimate outdoor venue. The first song the band performed was a rendition of “Round Here” that was unlike anything I’d ever heard. As Adam Duritz invited us to climb outside the figurative windows of our lives, tears streamed down my face. The lyrics, in conjunction with the beautiful melody, made me want to live . . . love . . . dream . . . forgive . . . embrace . . . create . . . heal . . . grow. The way the song made me feel about living life was exactly what I wanted people to feel when they read my book. At last, I had a concrete goal: Write words that ignite a sense of urgency to live freely and love fully despite the distractions, reservations, and fears that divert us from our path. I am eternally grateful for that life-altering moment that provided direction and inspiration for this book.
So in the spirit of moments that inspired this book, I offer these acknowledgements:
Sandra Bishop, I am grateful for the moment we came up with the perfect subtitle for this book. It was not the one that was used — and I couldn’t even tell you what that one was now — but that was the moment I knew we’d be a forever team. That was the moment I knew you understood my heart . . . my passion . . . my calling like no one else could. You support my dreams. You listen to my nightmares. You have my back. You are not simply my literary agent — you are my friend, my interpreter, my confidant, my protector, my warrior. You were providentially appointed to help me carry out my life’s purpose. Wherever you go, I will go with you.
Rebecca Macy, I am grateful for the moment we were trying to get out the door during your summer visit and I fell apart. Although I did not say I was stressed about meeting the deadline for this book, you knew exactly why I was troubled. You said, “How can I help?” Those were your words. They have always been your words, my big sister, who is always there to lift, encourage, and believe in me. This book and the one before it would not be in existence without the lifelong support and helpfulness you have offered and provided.
Eleanor Williams, I am grateful for the moment we walked up that Alabama hill one last time together and you shared the advice you’d given Gibs the night before: “Look for the blessings — you might not see them right away, but just keep looking. Keep looking for the blessings.” I held on to those words like a security blanket and used them more times than I could count while adjusting to a new place with new people and new experiences. Your beautiful Southern voice is so often in my head, reminding me to call the grocery store employees by name and to go to battle for those who cannot go to battle for themselves. Your wisdoms are forever in my heart, and they undoubtedly made their way into this book.
James Harbour, at my first-ever book signing you sat on the floor in the front row. Your eager, smiling face was my focal point. I will never forget the moment I spoke of my dream because that is when I caught a glimpse of your dream. The way your eyes lit up when I encouraged the crowd to pursue the urgings of their hearts stirred something inside me. In that moment, I yearned to write a children’s book that would inspire young people to shine their Firefly Light. I pray my dream comes to fruition along with yours, James. And to your precious family: I never knew what that light next door meant to me until it was no longer there. Jennifer, Jim, James, and Lauren, thank you for being that constant source of light in darkness. Even from a distance, I can still see it and feel it.
Pastor Wade Griffith, I am grateful for that moment you allowed Natalie to tell the congregation about Pricilla . . . that moment you asked Scott to join the UMCOR Early Response Team to aid the tornado survivors in Tuscaloosa . . . that moment you believed our church could pull off the Magic City Miracle . . . that moment you celebrated five thousand packed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and shared the news that one person really can make a difference. This book, as well as my heart, would have gigantic holes in it had it not been for the profound opportunities you and Liberty Crossings United Methodist Church provided our family to be a blessing.
Carolyn McCready, I am grateful for the moment you sat on the back patio with my children as they delighted in you just as I did the first time I met you. I can mark that gorgeous fall evening as the first time my new home felt like home. There you were, raving about the first draft of this book, talking about future projects, and allowing me to describe some of the hurts and fears that come with this work I’ve been called to do. Carolyn, when I hand my words over to you, I know they could not be in better care. Thank you for trusting my vision, my instincts, my choices, and for allowing me to soar under your loving guidance.
Along with those moments, there were also these constants that allowed this book to be written:
To my incredible team at HarperCollins Christian Publishing/Zondervan/Choice Publicity: Carolyn McCready, Londa Alderink, Bob Hudson, Heather Adams, Beth Gebhard, Kristin Carver, and Jennifer VerHage. Each one of you has a special way of building me up, preparing me for the unknown, and spreading the Hands Free message so it can reach those who need it most. Thank you for loving me despite my imperfections and insecurities. Thank you for continually praying for me and my family’s safety and well-being. Thank you for believing.
To Beth Berutich and Shannon Brooks: Thank you for listening to God’s calling on your heart to change lives through Innocence Lost and the Lovelady Center. This book would not be what it is without your influence, your inspiration, and your tremendous support of my work. I aspire to have a listening heart like yours.
To Scott’s immediate and extended family: Thank you for enveloping me in the love of a big family. You are people who give the tightest hugs, load the counters with delicious food, and welcome all to the table. You are people who never waste an opportunity to say, “I love you” and know the priceless value of state-fair visits, fishing at the pond, and Uncle Tackle Time. Thank you for always having my back when haters on the Internet and in the movie ticket line try to bring me down. Thank you for coming out in full force to book signings and sharing my work with anyone who will listen. The way you live, love, and remember loved ones who have gone before us greatly influenced my writing in chapter 8.
To Stacie and Jon Oliver: Thank you for allowing your home to become The Hands Free Shop where my dream of tangible reminders to live better and love more came to fruition. Stacie, you manage the shop like a boss. With your loving touches on every product and every shipment, you make so many people happy (well, except when the “Only Love Today” bracelets sell out). Stacie and Jon, thank you for consulting with me on the cover of this book until it matched what I envisioned in my mind . . . for being the best Hands Free parents I have ever known . . . for allowing me to hear the blessed words “Aunt Rachel” spoken by Sam, Evan, and Kate. You have given me a chance to relive some of the precious moments I missed before I knew how to truly live.
Kristin Shaw, Don Blackwell, and Lisa McCrohan: I am not sure how you know, but you always know when my spirit needs lifting. Several times throughout the process of writing this book, your words of encouragement carried me. As writers who know the pros and cons of sharing one’s heart with the world, your understanding is often enough to carry me through.
Christi McGuire, Katie Mohr, and Katrina Willis: The w
ords in this book would not be what they are without your brilliance, your expertise, and your guidance. You help me find the words when I am having trouble doing so. But above of all, thank you for knowing my heart. The whole world could be against me and yet you would stand beside me and say, “I’m with her.” Do you know what that kind of belief and loyalty does for me? It allows me to write down the hard stuff and hit publish. Thank you for standing beside me so I can lean on you whenever I falter.
Mary Largent, Jennifer Harbour, Shannon Brooks, Carrie Wertheimer, Julia Griffith, and Kellie McIntyre: your faithful friendship and sisterly love provided strength in the writing of this book more times than I can count. Thank you for missing me, lifting me, walking with me, being happy with me, being sad with me, praying for me, asking me to pray for you, reading my words, sharing my words, but most of all, thank you for being real so I can be real too.
Coach Tavie, Coach Amy, Coach Jennifer, and Coach Katie: Thank you for building my children up, giving them room to grow, and allowing them to be who they are. Thank you for standing behind the block with an unlimited supply of patience and encouragement. Without the experiences from the YMCA pool, this book would be lacking. What I learned from you about patience, presence, and stepping back has changed the course of my daughters’ lives in the most positive way.
Andrew Henderson: Thank you for seeing the light in our Firefly and cultivating that light with your gentle teachings and extraordinary talent. You showed me what calmness and positivity can do for a little girl trying to learn something new. The impact of your presence on Avery’s confidence and ability to shine her unique light has been profound. I am grateful for your contribution to this book and to her life.
To Nancy Janas and Kristi Seigel: your beautiful, giving hearts that reached out to our family when we knew no one provided the perfect beginning to our new life and the perfect ending to this book. God gave us you.
To Sandy Blackard and Dr. Theresa Kellam: Thank you for helping me answer the toughest, most painful questions posed by readers of my blog. Your willingness to help those you have never met without asking for anything in return is truly remarkable and generous. Through your brilliant responses, I have learned a great deal about communicating with compassion and creating a loving, peaceful home.
To The Hands Free Revolution community and beloved readers of my blog: During the writing of this book, I relied heavily on your messages of gratitude and support. Through your comments, I experienced divine fuel and affirmation. Through your questions, I felt an urgency to get this book into your hands. Thank you for allowing me to be human . . . for coming to my defense . . . for sharing my messages with others. Your presence is a daily blessing that moves me like nothing I’ve ever known. You often say, “Please never stop writing!” My request to you is: please never stop walking beside me on this journey.
And to my greatest constants . . .
To my parents, Harry and Delpha: your influence on my life, my writing, and my parenting is evident on every page of this book. Thank you for guiding, believing, encouraging, reading, editing, caregiving, and supporting me throughout my entire life and during the writing of this book. Above all, thank you for listening. My joys and successes on this journey are not joys and successes until they are shared with you. I have learned that listening is love through your consistent desire to hear what I have to say. Mom and Dad, I was able to write about building up a human being in this book because of you.
To Natalie: our relationship is my daily motivation for living Hands Free. The way you talk to me and confide in me inspires me to be all there despite the distractions of life. I never want to miss one of your questions, one of your amazing insights, or one of your hand squeezes. Thank you for saying and believing “Mama always comes.” It is the greatest compliment I have ever been given. I pray each day to be the One Who Always Comes no matter what life throws my way. Natalie, I was able to write about the gift of unconditional presence in this book because of you.
To Avery: every day in your company is a lesson in living a joy-filled life. My daily goal is to approach each moment, each day, and each human being the way you do — with a welcoming smile, with genuine enthusiasm, and with selfless love. Thank you for freely giving me what I often lack. When I lose my zest, you are my cheer. When I feel guilt, you are my grace. When I am rushed, you are my pause. When I lose perspective, you are my eyes. Avery, I was able to write about being a Lover of Life in this book because of you.
To Scott: I know that whether I have one reader or one million readers, whether I have a bestseller or a dud, whether I write ten more books or none, you will love me. You love me without conditions and restraint. You love me because I am me. You love me as is, and that love has changed me for the better. When I heard “only love today” silence my inner bully, it was your voice I heard. Thank you for never failing to comfort me after a bad dream. Thank you for never failing to look out for my health and well-being. Scott, I was able to write about unconditional love in this book because of you.
Dear God: Procrastination, distraction, and fear lose their power when a heart decides what it must do before it stops beating. You revealed this to me as I neared the conclusion of chapter 6. I am so thankful I lived to write this. I am so thankful I wrote to live this. Thank you for choosing me to be your messenger. I shall write for you, dear Lord, until the very last beat of my heart.