The Call

No, not THE call.

Not yet, anyway.

I'm talking about the unexpected, surprise phone call that warms your insides from the roots of your hair to the tips of your stinky, yet perfectly pedicured toes.

I got one of those phone calls yesterday, and I'm still smiling.

Right in the middle of what looked to be the Redskins second loss of the season, the phone rang. I frowned, wondering who dared to call me in the middle of a football game (solicitors don't give a damn if you're in the middle of screaming at the TV because Jason Campbell just threw another incomplete pass). As always, I checked the caller ID, prepared to let the machine pick up.

I was a little surprised when I discovered who was calling. Allowing my curiosity to get the best of me, I answered and greeted the caller happily, even though, by this time, the Redskins were falling so far behind the Saints that my mood was on the fast track to I-can't-believe-they-let-these-guys-play-in-the-NFL-ville.

Anyway, the caller greeted me happily in return, and quickly launched into their reason for contacting me on what I consider the most sacred day of the week during the months of September through the first weekend in February.

For no other reason than just being two of the kindest people I've ever known, the caller and her husband wanted to let me know that they had decided to do something nice for me...and my books. In the past, they've complimented my books and told me how much they loved the stories. This time, they also complimentd me personally, as a writer.

For a long time now, I've questioned my seemingly slow-moving writing career. Although I love what I do, I have to admit that if there is anything in this world that is eventually going to teach me patience, it's being an author. No instant gratification here. This is a hurry up and wait business...complete torture for a girl who wants what she wants NOW. I'm still waiting for agents to call, waiting for the next book plot to pop into my head, and for my books to end up on a major bestseller list. I've often questioned whether or not to just give it up all together, thinking, since not much is happening, why should I waste my time?

Well, I'll tell you why.

Because of that football-game-interrupting phone call. That's why.

Maybe since I've yet to receive a comment or review for The Long Road Home (a book that I am extremely proud of), or because I've hit a temporary road block in my current work in progress, or because lately I've literally been questioning the reason for my very existence...I've lost sight of things.

Until yesterday, I'd forgotten how much enjoyment I get from writing...how good it feels to sit down lose myself in a story that only I have the power to create...and how much several people have, in the past, told me how much they love my books.

That call yesteday put it all in perspective. It made me realize that even though my books may never land on the coveted New York Times Bestseller List, all that matters is that my work is loved and appreciated by two very special people...who took the time to tell me so.

The Redskins beat the Saints 29-24 in the final minutes of the game. Looks like we both found something that was missing, at just the right time...

The more things change...

The more they stay the same.

How many of you remember where you were and what you were doing when you realized exactly how true that statement is?

Okay, so it's not anywhere near as momentous an occasion as 95% of the other events that have happened in your life.

BUT, it is an important one.

I've always been under the impression that each new, unique thing you experience, new friend you make, and goal you reach, make you a better, more well-rounded person. Occasionally, I simply thought to myself, 'Wow!'

But today, I had a light bulb moment. You know, when something so simple, something you never saw coming, blindsides you with a realization so powerful that it knocks the wind out of you. Stunned by that realization, you find yourself replaying it in your mind while staring absentmindedly, nodding your head. Two things happened this afternoon that finally helped me realize that the more things seem to change, the more they really do just stay the same.

Without going into details, I'll say I also realized that I'm a better person than I thought I was. In this case, 'better' has two different meanings. But I won't go into detail about that, either. Instead, I'll share a few other thoughts that crossed my mind today:

1. My grandchildren might have grandchildren by the time the Redskins have another winning season.

2. Trashy people will always 'stink' no matter how much they try to cover it up.

3. Just when you thought the past was gone, there it is staring you in the face every time you turn around.

4. There's something special about a person when just thinking about them makes you smile.

5. No matter how far you roam, nothing feels better than knowing you can always go home...even if you're not quite ready.

What can I say? It was a slow day...lots of time to think.