Happy Anniversary CeeGee's Gift

In the photo above I am in Lake Charles, LA accepting the 2019 Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence for CeeGee’s Gift, named Best Young Adult-Coming of Age Fiction. In my remarks to the audience that night, I said that during the many years I spent writing the novel, Celia Gene Williamson and old Mr. Tindale became very real to me and were a meaningful part of my life almost every day. Once the book was published it was as if they went off on their own somewhere and seemed more distant and less real. But that night, while accepting the award on their behalf, I could just see them, sitting side by side, grinning, with CeeGee elbowing Mr. Tindale in the ribs as he reached over and squeezed her shoulder. It was good to have them back.

This month marks the One Year Anniversary of the publication of CeeGee’s Gift, and what a year it has been. The Pencraft Award was the 4th honor the novel has received in this category. It was also the Winner for Many Books, April 2019, a Finalist for the TX Indie Author Awards and a Semi-Finalist for the Publisher’s Weekly BookLife Award. In addition, the book site on Amazon has a 5 star rating, with 4 very positive editorial reviews and 22 reviews from readers of all ages. 

There is also increasing demand for me to share this story of generosity with others. Since I am a philanthropic advisor as well as the author of two books, it is exceptionally meaningful to see that these passions of mine are relevant to such diverse audiences, including middle grade students, a group of professional advisors, and a spiritual retreat center. In April, I will travel to Phoenix as Keynote Speaker for a national chronic illness conference. I spoke to this same group in 2011, after the publication of You Don’t LOOK Sick! Living Well with Invisible Chronic Illness. I am honored they will have me back again, and overjoyed that I have an even more positive, blended message to share with an audience facing hard realities. 

How often does it happen that every piece of one’s life merges together into a meaningful whole, and that whole is centered on generosity and kindness? I want to thank you, all of you, who have accompanied me on this journey. My life has been shaped by the people in it, both real and imagined.