It’s been a busy, busy summer so far with projects pulling me in several different directions; but I’ve spent a lot of time this week focusing on the next book, Real Women, Real Wisdom: A Journey into the Feminine Soul. I am feeling very positive about it!
In Real Women Real Wisdom, 17 ordinary women—most in their 50s and 60s—reflect on the challenges, mysteries and ultimately the triumphs in their lives. Their stores tell of the transformative experiences of loss, suffering, life-threatening illness, recovery, and forgiveness, as well as the quiet moments of reflection that have led to their personal encounters with the Divine. The journeys they share hold great wisdom, hope and inspiration for all who read about them.
I have all 17 chapters edited and most of the book laid out. I have a cover mockup that I’m just waiting for some final information for. I have requests in to two well-known Catholic spiritual writers, both of whom have agreed to read some or all of the 17 chapters and, if they like them, to give us an endorsement to include in the final copy.
The book turned out to be a little longer than I anticipated, with all the author bios we’re at about 220 pages, I think. But I figure people can pick it up, read a chapter/reflection and lay it back down for days or weeks or whatever they need and then go back to it without a hitch. It isn’t something that needs to be read in one sitting.
There are some very touching stories, and some very painful experiences are shared, but each of the women has wrestled with darkness and come out of it into brightness and freedom. As one of the women suggested: These are stories that needed to be shared. I am pleased to be the instrument that is helping bring these women’s beautiful voices to light.
My goal is to have the books printed and ready to sell by September 24, the date on which we are holding a benefit concert and auction to help one of the women who has been stricken by cancer. Marilyn has battled thyroid cancer for nearly two years, undergoing five major surgeries, radiation, and ongoing physical and speech therapy. Her most recent surgery was less than a month ago. She lost her job this winter when she could not return within the 90-day window because of complications. She lost her voice when the tumor in her thyroid wrapped around her larynx. Not only does she share her story in the book, but I want some of the proceeds from the sale to go to help her financially during this very difficult time. It’s what I think we are all called to do, help each other through the difficult times in our lives.
As I’ve been working on this next book and working on the fundraiser, I’ve let some things slip, including this blog, and including any promotional work for 42 States of Grace. In the meantime, it got picked up by a bookstore at a spirituality center for their summer program, and a well known book reviewer/blogger, Rose City Reader, did a very positive review on it. So it seems when I let go of stressing and obsessing over it, Someone else has taken over. I suspect there could also be some “coattail” effect when Real Women, Real Wisdom comes out.
In closing her chapter about her struggles with cancer, my friend Marilyn writes:
“Life is not about reaching Happily Ever After, as tempting as that seems. There is no place of perfect insight, perfect peace, perfect faith where, once we reach it, we will stay forever in safety.
“Rather, life is joy and suffering unfolding step by step. The gratitude of the beach is followed by the sorrow of the highway home, and then that is followed by the joy of seeing loved ones again and telling them the story. God is found in our life as it is. And our call is to live, to be present to our lives, in pain or in promise, and sometimes in both.”
Kinda makes you want to get the book and see what other beautiful and thought-provoking nuggets are hidden within, doesn’t it?
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