Celebrate

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We measure our lives in time.

Seconds, minutes, hours.

Days, weeks, months.

Years.

Milestones are celebrated.

A child walks, talks, starts school.

Graduates, marries, becomes a parent.

Life is a continuous celebration.

Until we experience loss.

Of a child or parent.

Or spouse.

Someone isn’t here to celebrate a birthday or anniversary.

Or Christmas.

Times of celebration become bittersweet or sad.

Or unbearable.

Someone said grief is love with no place to go.

But love can always be shared with family and friends,

And most of all, with yourself.

Grief should never stop the celebration,

But instead, enhance it.

The pain of loss never ends,

But the celebration of love and memories

Makes it bearable.

And makes you smile.

Merry Christmas.

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Photo by Max Beck on Unsplash

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October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

Great informative post with resources! 👍

I’ve updated this from last year’s post:

Surprisingly, 15-20% of the population has a language-based learning disability and over 65% of those are deficits in reading. Often, these go undiagnosed, written off as “s/he doesn’t like to read”. If this sounds familiar to you, maybe before you became a writer you struggled with adopting the love of reading, check out the International Dyslexia Association’sDyslexia Awareness Month in October.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a condition that affects people of all ages, male and female equally, and causes them to mix up letters and words they read making what for most is a joy-filled act challenging and frustrating.

“Dyslexia refers to a cluster of symptoms, that result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students with dyslexia often experience difficulties with both oral and written language skills. … It is referred to as a learning disability because dyslexia…

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#BookSale Book Birthday #5!

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In the Best Interest of the Child is FIVE years old and NOW is the time to grab a copy for only 99c thru September 18th! (Tonight!)

Praise for In The Best Interest of the Child…

“…The characters are deftly drawn and consistent—endearing, charming, greedy, and despicable (this is about lawyers, after all). If I had one tiny complaint, it would be that the extended family of Olivia’s love interest, Bruce Bellamy, is just way too wonderful. I loved Olivia’s strength most of all and her determination to protect her young client. There’s some questionable behavior going on that Olivia is determined to ferret out.“ Amazon Reviewer

“This book was phenomenal! As a former employee who worked with foster children, I was able to relate to the scenarios that revealed Olivia’s passion and determination to work as diligently as possible to give each child the best living scenario possible. Each page left you wanting to read more to find out what would happen next. The book is definitely suspenseful, layered with a romance twist, and thought provoking. The author did a great job captivating readers minds. I think anyone who reads this could start to see our courts and wards of the State in a different light.” Amazon Reviewer

“Fantastic debut for Felicia Denise. Incredible character study. Olivia is an advocate for children not only in her work but in all of her life. Now face to face with a client who’s story is a mirror of her life, Olivia must revisit her past or never move beyond it. Without meaning to, she allows Bruce into her life and it will never be the same. Two hearts moving past issues of being abandoned to give each other new life.”  Amazon Reviewer

Synopsis

That day forever changed Olivia’s life.

Severely injured in an accident that forever changed her life, 10-year-old Olivia becomes another faceless, underserved child in foster care. With no time to mourn or grieve, the young girl is easy prey for uncaring social workers and ambivalent foster families.

Olivia quickly learns to hold her tongue and mask her emotions. Even when exposed to neglect, bullying, and assault, no one seems to care. Holding fast to the teachings of her late father, Olivia ages out of the system broken, but no longer a victim.

Now a successful child advocate attorney, Olivia is a passionate voice for children. However, a routine case assignment by the court plunges Olivia back into the trauma of her childhood. If she doesn’t face her demons, a child will be sent into foster care.

Foster care for her young client is not an option. But Olivia’s emotional scars run even deeper than she realized. Reconciling with her past means Olivia must confront the one woman she blames for her battered soul.

A woman who has no idea who Olivia is.

99c thru September 18th!

Amazon

All other online retailers

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2 Years…

I’ve learned a lot since May 30, 2019.

I’ve learned that grief cannot be rushed, that you don’t wake up one day healed.

I’ve learned healing and closure are myths. Loss forces new adjustments to life.

I’ve learned it’s okay to put myself first and I’m not responsible for the feelings—or lack thereof—of others about MY loss.

I’ve learned it’s okay to say no… to everyone.

I’ve learned doctors don’t know everything, or when it comes to grief, anything at all.

I’ve learned who my true friends are.

I’ve learned I don’t have to feel guilty about laughing and enjoying myself.

I’ve learned loss doesn’t change the person I am.

I’ve learned it’s okay to laugh and cry at the same time.

I’ve been reminded how amazing my three children are.

And I’ve learned my grief journey can only be taken one day at a time, one breath at a time… even when it hurts.

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#FlashFiction Frozen in Time, Part IV

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Frozen in Time, Part IV

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15 Years later

“In closing, as we leave this place, let us remember Margaret Jean Merchant for her glowing smile and giving soul. She touched the lives of us all, and lives on in our hearts.”

The tears she’d held at bay spilled down Petra’s cheeks as she watched the mortuary staff remove the flowers from the casket. Ladies from Maggie’s church came forth to gather the arrangements and take them out to waiting vehicles for the ride to the cemetery.

She watched the ladies, trying to look anywhere but at the casket. But when the casket’s latch was slid into place, it echoed against the high vaulted ceilings of the chapel… and straight to Petra’s core, shattering what was left of her broken heart.

A low moan escaped her lips, followed by deep sobs. Leonard wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled his sister close. “It’s okay, sis. It’s going to be okay.”

Petra couldn’t respond, but she knew things would never be the same again.

To be continued…

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©2021 Felicia Denise, All Rights Reserved