LAST THURSDAY, I drove to Aiken, SC, to be among 16 authors who were signing books at the Aiken Center for the Arts during the town’s Night of 1000 Lights holiday festival. What a treat it was to be in that magnificent art space and to meet so many fellow authors and artists! The group could not have been more welcoming, and that goes double for Lisa Anne Tindal, a friend I made online several years ago based on our history in nonprofit work as well as a shared interest in painting and writing. Lisa and I had never met in person, and as I made the hour-long drive to the event, my heart was giddy with anticipation.
How lovely and kind she is! What a joy it was to hang out a bit before the gathering as we had about a hundred billion things to talk about. Plus when we got to the Arts Center, we discovered we were sharing a table for the book signing!
Needless to say all this was gracious plenty to fill a heart to overflowing. Then before I’d hardly gotten my books out and stacked on the table, I looked up to see a most unbelievable sight. Walking toward me, smiling big and carrying a copy of my novel, was my fourth grade teacher, Mr. Craft.
My fourth grade teacher FROM FIFTY-FIVE YEARS AGO.
Not only that, but with Mr. Craft was his beautiful wife, Nancee, who was also a fourth grade teacher in my hometown of Wise, Virginia and my best friend, Suzann, was in her class. Nancee and Bill were both single at the time, and as 10-year-old girls are wont to do, Suzann and I spent many an hour discussing what a perfect couple our respective teachers would make.
(We still believe we were responsible for them getting together and that is not a joke.)
What a thrill it was to see them both, after lo these many years! What a joy to get to hug their necks!
A LITTLE while earlier, as Lisa and I had been talking before the event began, she asked me what had been the biggest surprise in my publishing journey. My answer was that with the book tour, every event had had its own personality and each had been—I’m not kidding here—my favorite. I told Lisa how in city after city, state after state, people had shown up and supported me and this song-of-my-heart debut in ways I never, ever could have expected.
Not 30 minutes later, that proved true yet again.
Thank you, Aiken Center for the Arts! Thank you my precious friend, Lisa Anne Tindal. And thank you Nancee and Bill Craft for creating for me a full circle moment I will never, ever forget.
XXOO
30 Days of Joy
NOTE: Check out Lisa’s beautiful art and writing here.
Love this story! I’m sure they are so proud of you!
They are dear, dear people. As you can tell! Thanks for reading and for commenting, Melanie!
What a special story! I’m so happy you made many connections that evening.
Speaking of connections from the evening, you are chief among them. I’m so happy about that!
Oh, Cathy! What a lovely surprise to see Bill and Nancee! Our mountain people will always find us and will forever be in our hearts. xo
You are so right, and I love this thought. Thanks, Vick! xo
Cathy, Im loving making The Daily Grace a part of my day. Thank you for your open heart!!
Thank you so much for letting me know. My heart just smiled!!!
Love this for you!
Thank you, friend! It was such a special night. HUGS!
Thank you so much for including us in your memories. It was truly an overwhelming experience and one we will never forget. It is so much fun to meet friends from Wise especially former students and learn what they have accomplished past the fourth grade. You are truly an example of success and we are extremely proud of you. May your light continue to shine in everything you do. Bill and Nancee
How grateful I am for both of you and for the many wonderful teachers who love and encourage and ignite a lifelong love of learning. Thank you for that!
What a fabulous story! Love everything about this!
It was such a special night! I truly will never forget it. Thanks for reading and commenting, my friend!