From the Hearts of Babes

Inspiration comes in many forms. Today, I am going to share a more personal tale.

I have been working diligently with a group of 8th grade girls who are participating in a writing project for their Language Arts class. The name of the project is “Kids are Authors”, and many of them are sending in their book projects to Scholastic for a writing contest. The winners of the contest will have their book published through Scholastic.

The ladies I am working with are writing a non fiction story about the daughter I lost to cancer years ago. They have been working collaboratively with me and each other to recreate the story for elementary age kids. Months of pouring their hearts into this project has created an enormous sense of pride in these girls, and as they come closer to completion, they are hesitant to turn over their rights to the book in hopes of winning a contest. They are considering other options to publish their book, including Indigogo and other Crowd Funding opportunities.

The story includes my daughter, Amber’s, real adventures and experiences. They are using her real pictures and real artwork. They are also creating a plan about distributing and what to do with the proceeds. They are considering avenues such as Make A Wish, Children’s Cancer Research Institute, and Children’s Miracle Network. Their zest and passion for this story touches my heart, and I know it will touch many others as well.

This group of thirteen year old girls has spent time on the weekends and evenings working their hearts out on this book. They have chatted on the phone with each other discussing it after school hours have ended. They have received tremendous support from their teacher and school team. Their parents have been actively involved and supporting them. They are doing this for no monetary gain, just simple passion.

We could all learn from these ladies. Amazing things happen when the goal comes from the heart. People’s lives are touched and changed when inspired people act on their ideas. Age isn’t a factor when people decide to make the world a better place.

Though this project isn’t fully planned, I will continue posting updates as it comes together. I may call on our tribe for support if the decision is made to Crowd Fund this, and I have faith that these ladies can touch the hearts of many. Inspiration comes in many forms, in every age, and never where you expect it.

The Road Not Taken

BY ROBERT FROST

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

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