It Takes a Heavenly and Global Village

How many girlfriends and a male friend does it take to get a writer of historical fiction novels to NYC for the Second Annual Latina and Latino Writers Conference that starts Saturday morning at 9:00 am?

Three girlfriends and my pet sitter who is also a good friend! That equals four AMAZING friends who helped make my dream a reality. I have lots of dreams, but attending my first writers conference was one was the most urgent and recent. It's happening in Brooklyn, NY this Saturday. Yep, in two days!

I couldn't see my way forward this week for many reasons and had cancelled my spot at the conference yesterday, hoping someone else could take advantage of the experience. I wrote my blog yesterday and this morning, I had a call and an email:

"You're going. You need to go! What can I do to help?" I'm pretty teary-eyed at the graciousness, kindness and love I received from my friends this morning, but not surprised. Wow. And, wow. I've been blessed with many, many friends who have stepped forward since my divorce and for them, I am SO very grateful.

Since I'd cancelled, I didn't know if my spot was still available. I called this morning and when Nora Comstock of Las Comadres said that my name was still on the list, I was surprised. It was then that I realized that I might still be able to make it to the conference!

Paying it forward, beautiful people, and pure love are what I experienced today and I am humbled and completely blown away.

My pet sitter is available to take care of my babies and my friend Irene is picking me up (we both live in West Virginia, so you can see that this is no simple thing!) and driving me to the train station in Washington, DC for my unbelievably early trip to NYC which my friend Mayra (who lives in Belgium) offered to pay for. I'm leaving and returning the same day. What a whirlwind of a day that will be, but I'm going for it!

So, you see what I'm talking about? It truly took a global village to get me to NYC. Amazing :)

I didn't understand what God had planned for me yesterday and today, my way is clear. I had a talk with God yesterday and put it all at His feet. I removed myself and got out of His way. He and my forever friends moved that mountain for me. Thank you!

The mountain wasn't a life or death situation to be sure, but it felt like a mountain to me this week. My comadres and compadres came through for me today. I'm blessed to have them and all my friends in my life. I'm feeling the love today.

Amen.

Ellie

Seriously Bummed Out!

Well, life sure does throw us curve balls at times, doesn't it? Sometimes, I understand what's going on is for my highest good and other times...I just don't get it. This would be one of those times. My heart understands this decision, but my Inner Child is having a tougher time.

I was one of the first writers to register for the Second Annual Latina/Latino Writers Conference in Brooklyn, NY on Oct 5, 2013 and boy, was I excited. I was staying with great friends in the Bronx after the one-day conference and was to attend a volunteer dinner dance with my friends that evening in honor of all the people who helped their beach club, the Manhem Club, get ready for Inter Club races after Hurricane Sandy destroyed their pier. I volunteered a teeny bit during my last visit and was looking forward to seeing them all again.

Everything was planned and the green light was on until this past weekend. By Saturday evening, the green light was amber with a twinge of red after I spoke with my step-mother. By Sunday evening, red was the predominant color and I couldn't see my way back to green.

You see, my 82 year old father suffers from Alzheimer's disease and his wife, my step-mom just had back surgery. They both need a break and when they asked me to visit them in Florida in late October, of course, I said yes. My father and his wife haven't had a vacation in three years and I know that caring for my father and his illness isn't easy. I don't know how many years I have left with my father and I couldn't afford both the conference and NYC weekend and a trip to Florida. So.

For me, it was clear--I had to give up the writers conference, my first writers conference. I was very bummed, but I knew Florida was the right choice for me.

So, I offered my paid conferee spot back to Dr. Nina Comstock of Las Comadres Organization who is hosting the writers conference and I'm hoping someone can take my place for free. In the scheme of life, not going to the conference is small potatoes. Family has always been very important to me and well, I can only do so much with what I have. I understand all this rationally, but...I'm not always rational :) I'm still bummed out.

What I'm left with is to continue to query agents and publishers and continue writing my second novel. The Conference just wasn't meant for me at this time. I wish all the participants and conference organizers a wonderful Second Annual Latina/Latino Writers Conference!

Felicidades y buena suerte a todos! A la proxima!

P.S. I had a little honest conversation with God this morning and that blog post will appear after this one. Writing out my feelings helps me understand difficult situations!

Sigh...Ellie