This Window...

This was too moving not to share: this touching message is from a COVID-19 patient who was recently discharged from the MICU. While being treated, caregivers frequently communicated with him by writing on the glass door in the isolation room. ❤️ Repost @clevelandclinic
The message read: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“This window has been the most impactful window in my life. On days when I watched you work hard to keep me and others alive, unable to thank you for the time that you poured into me — and although I will probably never get the chance to pour that same love and support into you, I want you to know that I think you all are rockstars.

I watched some of you have good nights and some bad nights but what was consistent every night was that you care for people.

Today I leave this ICU a changed person, hopefully for the better, not only because of your medical healing and God’s direction and guidance, but with the fact of knowing that there are such wonderful people dedicated to the care and concern of others.
God bless each of you.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To our caregivers, you uplift and inspire us all.

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Racing Mom

Husband walks in through garage: “Why is there a bumper on the kitchen counter?” Me: “Huh. I know this is weird, but I didn’t even really notice it was there.”

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Yummy

Sourdough with roasted garlic, Parmesan and herbs.

This is the fourth loaf of bread I’ve made in two weeks. Along with three coffee cakes, a batch of kolacky, two batches of brownies, one cake and I’ve-lost-track-of-how-many pizza crusts. Oh, and lunches. And dinners.
I am slightly afraid of takeout right now, but tomorrow: the kitchen is closed.

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Lego Fun

LEGO project, inspired by Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. 🤗 Thank you to supermom Daphne for sharing these photos with me. ❤️

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Such an Honor

I was honored to be invited to the SCBWI-Florida annual conference in Miami in January.

I was equally honored to hear the “First-Book” panel, to see a group of newly published authors/illustrators excitedly celebrate the victory of, at long last, seeing their works in print. They were humble, grateful and full of encouragement and love for their fellow members. It was joyful, tearful and downright beautiful.
One of those lovely speakers was Gail Shepherd. None of us — nor she — knew she would be gone just a few weeks later. 😞

Her first, and sadly LAST, book received four starred reviews. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Perhaps, buy it and read it— as a gift to her family, and to pay tribute to her words and her journey — and to this industry, in which so many of us are so incredibly fortunate to be a part.

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