A God of Miracles

 

When consciousness hit me this morning, I wanted to stay in bed. All day if I could.

I am not one to openly tell my trials and troubles to the world, but I believe personal details are not entirely necessary when we choose to share a significant growth experience. As stated initially, when I awoke this morning, the last thing I wanted to do was face the day.

I am aware that feelings of reluctance, unhappiness, despair, and so forth are not unique to me—every human being comes face to face with the draining effects of discouragement, fear, uncertainty, pain, depression… need I go on? Life hands us big and small problems on a continual basis. We all face trials, hardships, disappointments—these are roadblocks common in life. Some trials are grievous to bear. The rest are hard in other ways. Any of them can make us want to stay in bed all day.

This morning, staring at the ceiling while feeling defeated by a handful of trials that amounted to my present roadblocks, I spoke to God in prayer. For a few quiet minutes, I shared my feelings with Him. During that prayer, I made the half-sarcastic comment that if this one particular, small, unlikely thing happened, I would put both feet on the floor and face the day gladly. Not that I honestly planned to remain in bed; I usually manage to slip over the mattress’ edge and move forward from there. And no, I did not expect to get what I wanted simply because I asked. As I said, my request was for something unlikely, even next to impossible. I was not anticipating a miracle. I just wanted one—a small, personal blessing to cheer me up.

Now here is the crazy, beautiful part: Only a few minutes after mumbling “Amen” at the end of my prayer, that one, particular, small, unlikely thing did happen! As near impossible as I thought it to be, it actually happened! So yes, I got my sorry self out of bed. And yes, I thanked God for the tender mercy that buoyed me up enough to face a hard day.

If you are struggling with personal roadblocks, I recommend praying about it. God really is a god of miracles. He has solutions we never dream of. Often, you will not get an immediate response to prayer. It has taken a good amount of time for me to receive answers to my own. But my experience has been that they do come, eventually. Every now and then they are instant and miraculous. Those I refer to as tender mercies.

—Richelle E. Goodrich, Hope Evermore  copyright 2023

My Favorite Things - Author Interview

Richelle, readers have asked a few questions about your favorite things. Thank you for agreeing to answer some of these fun and curious questions. Let's start with a simple one: 

What is your favorite color?
Pink first―a soft pastel pink―and then hazel green. Pink wins out over green.

Why is that?
Because pink is pretty and feminine. I like feminine things,the whole "pretty in pink" image. I like green because my eyes are green, and I have always been pleased with my eye color.


What is your favorite movie?
That is a tough question because I love movies. I will say either Enchanted or Shrek is my favorite movie. I adore the Enchanted story and the actors who starred in the movie. Shrek was just awesome, including all of the sequels. They make me laugh every time. But I also like Tangled, Trolls, Aladdin, and Moana. I enjoy feel-good cartoons. Honestly, I LOVE cartoons; I always have. I enjoy almost any film or tv series with "star" in the title, like Star Trek―love, love, love the new Strange New Worlds Star Trek series with Captain Pike. I am a fan of Star Wars and Stargate as well. And the Avengers, especially the original Avengers. There will never be a group of Avengers to top the original gang. I love the new episodes of Star Wars and Marvel stories they have on Disney now. Those have been fun to watch. I also like Avatar, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit as well as Pirates of the Caribbean, Alice in Wonderland, and First Knight. Sean Connery was my heartthrob when I was young. He and Richard Dean Anderson and Johnny Depp. 


What about your favorite music artist?
Hands down, Rascal Flatts. But as a teenager, I used to listen to Sting almost exclusively. Funny how our tastes change. I also enjoy Jon McLaughlin, Rachel Platten, Justin Timberlake, Forest Blakk, Ed Sheeran, Billy Joel, and the Pentatonix. All of these artists have some excellent music out. And I love listening to anything sung by Idina Menzel. Her voice is captivating! 


Do you have a favorite song?
That is an impossible question too, with an ever-changing answer. Give me a list of Rascal Flatts songs and I'll mark them off for you. I really like Bless the Broken Road and Unstoppable and The Day Before You and I Won't Let Go and Where You Are and Feels Like Today and so on and so on. But I also like If You Love Her by Forest Blakk, Better Place by Rachel Platten, So Close by Jon McLaughlin, The Prayer by Pentatonix, Made You Look by Meghan Trainor, and so many other amazing songs I can't even think of at the moment.


How about books and authors?  Which are your best-loved books? 
My favorite book of all time is Les Miserables written by Victor Hugo. He was a master storyteller and a wizard with words. I love how meticulously he describes settings and characters, and how he stirs up deep emotions in readers. Hugo is a genius.  My other favorite authors include C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, masters of fantasy.  The Lord of the Rings is my absolute best-loved saga of all time.  And I appreciated the disturbing truth in The Screwtape Letters.  That book hit a nerve.

Other favorite books include Rumpelstiltskin and all the old fairytales by the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson, Charles Perrault and George MacDonald.  I also adore Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. 

I enjoy Charles Dickens' writing.  He has vibrant personality in his narrative voice.  It is bright and distinctively him.  It was a treat to read A Christmas Carol after watching the hundreds of movies based on the book.  And Oliver Twist―wow!  The model for a classic work. I like reading Shel Silverstein's poetry because his work is creative and fun. I could list hundreds of good books because there are so many. We're spoiled as readers these days. 


If you had a free day to yourself and a choice of doing anything at all, what would you do? 
Easy.  I would curl up in the corner of my sofa with a hot cup of cocoa and work on another book.  I love writing, whether it is poetry or a developing story.  Writing has become my beloved obsession.


Okay, Richelle, here's a string of random questions.  Ready?
Hit it.


What is your magical number?
Ten.  Followed closely by seven and seventeen.


What is your preferred flower?
Lily. Especially a large-petal lily in the shade of pink or maroon.


Your favorite animal?
Cats!  Big, crazy, playful cats.


Favored comic strip?
Ziggy.  He is everything good and adorable.


Your pick of animated characters?
You are probably thinking I will say Shrek, but Winnie the Pooh is my absolute favorite animated character. He and Eeyore. 


Most impressive of all mythical creatures?
Colossal, scaly-skinned, fire-breathing dragons!


Who is your all-time favorite superhero?
It used to be Thor, but Captain America won my heart as the Avengers movies progressed.  I like the whole medieval image and the idea of immortality, but I respect the leadership abilities of Captain America and the fact that he was doggedly firm in standing up for his beliefs, his standards, and his friends. That to me is what a real hero does. 


What supernatural power would you want for yourself as a superhero?
Definitely healing powers.  It would be rewarding to have the ability to heal diseases and illnesses.


What's your favorite food?
Fresh, hot, homemade bread slathered in butter and strawberry preserves.  Mmmmm! 


Sweetest dessert?
Soft chocolate chip cookies with walnuts and hot fudge sundaes and bittersweet dark chocolate.  It is hard to choose between the three, so I just put them all together. Honestly, if I had to choose, it would be ice cream. Either a hot fudge sundae or peanut butter and chocolate ice cream.


What is your preferred restaurant to frequent?
Wendy's was my favorite as a child for fast food. I recently discovered Braum's since moving down south, and they have ice cream to go with their fast food, so that is a huge plus in my book! For a nicer dinner, I enjoy any good Mexican restaurant or Italian restaurant. 


Your favorite holiday?
My birthday, of course!  Actually, Christmas is my favorite holiday.  I have a tradition of unpacking my many copies of A Christmas Carol―a collection that continues to grow―and then I watch the many different versions of Scrooge throughout the month of  December.  It is my crazy tradition―one that makes my family groan.  They can probably recite the entire movie from beginning to end now.


Do you have a best-loved sport?
To play, it would be volleyball.  To watch―football.  Football is never boring.


Besides writing, what else do you like to do for fun?
Go to the movies and eat popcorn. Gotta have popcorn. I also like to strum on the guitar or play the piano. I am not great at it, but playing music is enjoyable. Playing a little pool or bowling a few games is also fun for me―again, not that I am good at either one. 


Do you have a preference in perfumes?
No, but I do have a favorite incense or two.  I love the smell of eucalyptus and myrrh.  You can get them as essential oils.  The smells are unusual; earthy, warm, spicy, exotic, and totally intoxicating.  I love sniffing at myrrh because the fragrance is a rare experience.  To me, it is sort of mystical.  I dab a little oil on my ears or on my neck sometimes just to catch the smell throughout the day.  


Do you have a treasured quote?
Oh dear, many!  I love good quotes.  My favorite quote changes depending on the day and what is happening in my life at the time.  One that has stuck with me consistently was written by Henry David Thoreau.

"If you have built your castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be.  Now put foundations under them."

That quote is a motivator for me, one that urges me to keep on with my dreams regardless of how improbable the likelihood is of reaching them.


I know you have a few quotes of your own.  What's your favorite personal quote?

“Don't ever give up.
 Don't ever give in.
 Don't ever stop trying.
 Don't ever sell out.
 And if you find yourself succumbing to one of the above for a brief moment, pick yourself up, brush yourself off, whisper a prayer, and start where you left off. But never, ever, ever give up.”  

Words I live by.
 

That is inspiring.  Any other words of advice for fellow writers?
Yes.  Please do not take this the wrong way, but my best advice is this:  Don't listen to anyone. I actually mean it.  Do not change your writing to please the world, because you cannot please the whole world.  Do not be swayed by those who would take over your ambitions and see your zeal for writing slowly fade.  Write what makes you happy―just you.  Your story should come from the heart and be written in your words. Your writing should be your own distinct, compiled treasure. Only then will your work be a worthwhile endeavor.  In the end, there will be those who value it.  There is a quote of mine that is appropriate here...

"No matter what you write, no matter how meticulous and painstaking the creation process, someone is going to laugh, scorn, and dissect your work with criticism while another quietly falls in love with it."

~

Memorial Day

     Today is Memorial Day, a time we stop to remember those who sacrificed their lives to defend the freedoms we enjoy. It is a day to ponder the significance of their sacrifices and to appreciate the cost of agency. 

     For those of us who were born into a situation where freedoms are abundant, it is easy to take daily occurrences for granted. We speak our minds—expressing beliefs, disappointments, doubts, support, ideas—without threat of imprisonment. We make religious decisions—denominations, way of worshiping, prayers, religious observances, beliefs—without limited or forced options. We pursue career goals—public, private, and home schooling; college education; degree options; job interviews—without being placed on an assigned career track. We move at will—from town to town, state to state, county, city, apartment, mobile home, house—void of mandatory living assignments. We have nearly unlimited choices because of the brave, noble individuals who sacrificed to defend our rights to freedom. 

     This Memorial Day, pay respects to the fallen soldiers, the heroes and protectors of our valuable freedoms. Take some time to ponder what life would be like without the agency we take for granted, and be grateful you can exercise that agency without dire sacrifices yourself. 

Mother's Day

       Mother’s Day is a special day to celebrate and honor your mom along with other mother figures in your life. In many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, this holiday is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. In some countries, such as Mexico and Russia, Mother’s Day is celebrated on a different day. Regardless, it is a time to reflect on the love and sacrifices your mom made for you as a child growing up, as well as the love and sacrifices she continues to make for you in your adult life. It is a day to express gratitude and appreciation to Mom. Mother’s Day was created years ago. In the United States in the early 1900s, Anna Jarvis, a peace activist, was inspired to create a day to honor her own mother who had passed away. Jarvis began campaigning for a national holiday to honor mothers. In 1914, after years of lobbying, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as the national holiday of Mother’s Day. Since then, it has become a worldwide observance, with countries celebrating in various ways.

       Many people give gifts to their moms on this day, items like flower bouquets, jewelry, signed cards, and chocolates. Others take their moms out for a nice meal. Some families plan a fun day of activities together, such as a picnic in the park, a movie with popcorn, or a visit to a museum. The most important thing to remember on Mother’s Day is to spend quality time with your mom. It is meaningful when you communicate and let her know how important she is to you. Make a personal visit if possible. If not, give her a call. Share stories and fond memories. Express your gratitude for the love and support she has given and continues to give you.

       Motherhood brings with it significant joys along with significant challenges. Mothers play a crucial role in their children’s lives: providing love, support, basic necessities, learning opportunities, encouragement, and guidance. Moms commonly put their own needs aside to prioritize their children, making countless sacrifices as they grow up. They do this willingly and lovingly. Being a parent is not easy, and it is important on Mother’s Day to recognize and honor the hard work and commitment that goes into being a dedicated mom. Motherhood is a role of great consequence that lasts a lifetime. Recognize this and be sure to express your appreciation for your mom on Mother’s Day… and any other day of the year too.

FREE on Amazon for TWO DAYS

Hey! Did you know that Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper

is available in Kindle format for FREE on May1st and 2nd, 2023? Go visit Amazon.com on these days and you can download this clever fairy tale at no cost. Not kidding! So mark your calendar to get a FREE COPY of Secrets of a Noble Keykeeper on Monday or Tuesday. It's a fun, short read you can enjoy alone or with your kids at bedtime. If you feel so inclined, leave a kind rating/review on Amazon and Goodreads for me. It would be greatly appreciated!

 

Book Summary: Meet a curious, young man whose calling it is to guard the gates of his homeland. As keykeeper of Dreamland, Gavin comes across many outsiders referred to by his people as dreamers. Through a variety of bizarre and creative antics, Gavin steers these roaming trespassers away from the borders of his magical world—a world where ogres bowl for their dinner, and pirates sail the clouds to plunder diamonds from the night’s sky, and bubbleberries make a person burp out loud. It is a place where anything imaginable is commonplace.

All the while, the young key keeper finds himself increasingly intrigued by stories of the outside world. Snooping about, he is captivated by a dreamer who piques his interest in the ordinary.

This book is supplemental to Dandelions: The Disappearance of Annabelle Fancher

Author Interview with Awesome Gang

       Recently, I stumbled across an author interview I did a few years back with an administrator from Awesome Gang―"Where awesome book readers meet awesome writers." It was fun to read through the questions/answers again and realize that most of the goals I mentioned during the interview have now been accomplished. It has taken its share of time.      

       Unfortunately, when goals eat up a lengthy amount of work days, any substantial forward progress seems less evident. But while reading over this interview and looking back, I realized how much I have actually accomplished since then. It was a positive boost for me. 

       I am including the interview below for your enjoyment. Go ahead and read it while I continue chipping away at my writing goals. There is still a lot I plan to do!

(You can find the original interview on awesomegang.com)

Richelle E. Goodrich


Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.

I was born in Utah and grew up in Washington State where I presently reside with my husband and three teenage boys. I began writing my first novel around Christmastime, December 2007. The goal was to see if I could complete one novel-length book, believing it would be an impressive accomplishment. Little did I know I would fall in love with the writing process and continue writing at every given opportunity! One book turned into a six-book fantasy-sci-fi-romance-adventure series known as the Harrowbethian Saga. I also write poetry and short stories, but I am most known for my quotes that circulate the internet. You can find many of my quotes on Goodreads linked to my author page. I have two books presently published that include quotes, poetry, and short stories for every day of the year, but my favorite book–the one that challenged me–is a fictional human interest account about a young girl who struggles to endure a life of hard circumstances. I write to entertain myself, and this keeps me happily writing as often as time permits.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

My latest published book is the third in the Harrowbethian Saga titled, Eena, The Curse of Wanyaka Cave. This series was inspired by my tendency to daydream in high school when I was a teenager. What else was there to do with all that extra time in class? This story of Queen Eena was one of my favorite daydreams to visit and revisit when I was bored. I think this series proves I have always possessed an active and creative imagination.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?

I use a lot of sticky notes when I write a book, and these sticky notes tend to end up plastered around the screen of my laptop as I type out chapters. The theory is that I keep better track of ideas, character personalities, plot twists, etc. if these reminders stare me in the face. Once a sticky note is no longer needed, I get an odd thrill out of peeling it off my screen and putting it into a big envelope where it is saved as project notes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?

I have probably been influenced most by authors of classic literature. They are my favorite writers and include Victor Hugo, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Dickens, C.S. Lewis, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain, Mary Shelley, and Homer. My favorite book of all time is Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I enjoy the old children’s fairy tales too, like those written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling, and George MacDonald.

What are you working on now?

I am presently working on another book of quotes, poetry, and short stories for every day of the year. It will be titled, Slaying Dragons, and dedicated to my son for his graduation this year. He loves dragons.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?

I have grown fond of Goodreads for promoting my books. I have book giveaways posted there all the time.

Do you have any advice for new authors?

First, if you want to be a writer, then WRITE! Spend less time thinking, studying, researching, learning, worrying about the art and just write. Write a sentence, a paragraph, a page every day of your life—about anything and everything. Scribble out a poem, a quote, a set of instructions, a portion of a developing novel, a letter to a friend, and so on. Read your work over and edit it. Then set it aside for a while before reading and editing it again. The point is, writing and re-writing are the exercises for authors that lead to excellence.

Secondly, READ everything. Read books, articles, recipes, blogs, letters, cereal boxes, and so on. Pay attention to the details that draw you in. Note what causes you to lose interest. Keep a journal of what you learn, and refer to it now and then.

Thirdly, pick up a basic GRAMMAR book and memorize it; put that knowledge to use.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?

The best writing advice I have ever heard was a quote by Toni Morrison: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”

What are you reading now?

My son is performing in “Narnia” at the local high school, which got me thinking about those wonderful books. I just started reading The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis. I plan to read through all of the Chronicles of Narnia.

What’s next for you as a writer?

Slowly but surely, I am writing more books and developing a following of readers. I plan to get the last three books of the Harrowbethian Saga published as soon as possible, and then I will work on putting my best poetry together in one book.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?

Only 4 books? This is a tough choice. I would probably bring the biggest and best books I have read.
1.) Les Miserables
2.) The Odyssey
3.) Does The Lord of the Rings count as one book?
4.) The Scriptures

Author Websites and Profiles:

Richelle E. Goodrich Website
Richelle E. Goodrich Amazon Profile
Richelle E. Goodrich Author Profile on Smashwords

Richelle E. Goodrich’s Social Media Links:
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
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A Heart Made of Tissue Paper

      I am currently working on an original book of poetry titled A Heart Made of Tissue Paper.  This book got its start a couple years back when I put together a few poems I had written to express personal feelings regarding trials that distressed me at the time. Since then, I have added to my developing book and now have a nice collection of poems. I decided early on to divide the book into seven separate chapters, each  bearing the title of an emotion or feeling that human hearts endure in a lifetime, experiences that strongly affect soft hearts. 

     Of course the first chapter covers the passion, warmth, and uncertainties of love. I believe the majority of poems written throughout the ages (no, not all) attempt to convey what it means to love. The opposite sentiment, to loathe, has its own chapter in the book as well because we must experience opposites to understand what we feel.

     Look for A Heart Made of Tissue Paper on Amazon in kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats sometime this summer, 2023. For now, I would like to share a few poems from the book; something to wet your appetite. I hope you enjoy them.

"It seems

my heart is made of tissue paper;

I wish the world would handle it more delicately." 

        - Richelle E. Goodrich

“I am falling in love with you,
but I can’t say a word.

You don’t care for love.
It has bruised you, broken you, burned you.
You call it a curse. Yet, I fear I am captive of this enemy, love.

You warn of its destructive power.
Oh, but it warms me like none other! It engulfs me in caressing flames, and foolishly I crave more. I can’t bear to suffer the cold, so I let you feed the fire unwittingly.

I am falling in love with you.
I am in love with you,
and it’s getting worse.”  - Richelle E. Goodrich

“I want to hear her laugh.

 

To watch sunbeams awaken her visage and shine through her eyes. To see the gray clouds of regret that hang heavy over her head rain away to nothing.

I want to hear her sunny voice dance on the breeze, as light and free as glossy bubbles, floating up…up…up to pop like hiccups. I want to know the type and form of key I must cut to unshackle even a portion of her joy.

If I could pluck the winning feather; if my smile could convince; if I could stroke her vocal chords like harp strings and make each treble note ascend to euphoria. Oh, to hear the giggled melody she would release into a world craving the balm of mirth!
I ache to experience that. I am desperate for it.

I live for the day I hear her laugh.” - Richelle E. Goodrich

“I found a room, both quiet and slow,

a room where the walls are thick.

Where pixie dust is kept in jars,

and paper rockets soar to Mars,

and battles leave no lasting scars

as clocks forget to tick.

I guard this room, both small and bare,

this room in which stories live.

Where Peter Pan and Alice play,

and Sinbad sails at dawn of day,

and wolves cry 'boy' to get their way

when ogres won’t forgive.

With you I’ll share my hiding place,

this room under cloak and spell.

We’ll snuggle up inside a nook,

and read a venturous story book,

that makes us question in a look

what nonsense fairies tell.

In fictive plots and fabled ends,

Our happy-e’er-afters dwell!”

 -Richelle E. Goodrich

“Love by the sweat of thy brow.
Not through whispered words of hollow sound or lofty dreams ne’er substance bound that more than oft do run aground. Nay, love with mighty, blistered hands that turn the soil and carve the land. A bearer of toil and golden band.
Be strong! A founder of the feast!
Protective knight who slays the beast!
For promises and vows aloud are naught but wispy veneer shroud like cobwebs, frail, the airy words and wooing fail. So work, my darling. Toil as proof. Thy loyal heart be drained of youth and yet beat on, incessant sound. Both feet take root within the ground, and service be thy kingly crown.
Love by the sweat of thy brow.” - Richelle E. Goodrich

“Hush, hush.

Hear the earth breathe.

Watch the wildflowers bloom.

Feel the calm of the silent dawn.

Be still.”

-Richelle E. Goodrich

“A thousand times over with you,

I yearned to linger in a perfect moment

and stop the passing of time.

A thousand times over with you,

I caught your tender smile and tucked it

carefully away in my heart for safekeeping.

A thousand times over with you,

I took in your sunny gaze and

hoarded its light for the wintry season.

A thousand times over with you,

I heard your laughter and sat silent

as it vibrated like music in my soul.

A thousand times over with you,

I saw your eyes twinkle like stars,

and I made a wish for forever.

A thousand times over with you,

I noted wisdom in your years,

and I filed away your thoughtful words.

A thousand times over with you,

I felt the warmth of your hand in mine

and squeezed tight, reluctant to let go.

A thousand times over with you,

I pondered how quickly mortality ushers us

from sunrise to sunset, and I dreaded the night.

A thousand times over with you,

I embraced the promise of immortality,

dreaming of a day when perfect moments

linger pleasantly on and on and on

a thousand times over with you.” 

-Richelle E. Goodrich

Copyright 2020 Richelle E. Goodrich 

This Easter Sunday

Easter is a Christian holiday that commemorates the wondrous resurrection of Jesus Christ as well as His intimate suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane for the individual sins of humanity. The story of Jesus Christ’s life, His teachings, afflictions, death, and miraculous resurrection are found in the New Testament books of the Bible. People around the world who keep this holiday do so in differing ways. For some, it is a public celebration; for others it is a private, family occasion. In my home growing up, it was a little bit of both.

As a child, my siblings and I looked forward to Easter mornings. We rose early to hunt for a personal Easter basket that was usually well hid, making it an exciting game of basket seeking. If one of us stumbled across someone else’s basket, the trick was to act as if nothing at all had been spied, not letting on with any sort of twinkle in the eye that a basket was hidden under the kitchen table. In the end, we were all rewarded with a colorful basket full of sweets: jellybeans, candied eggs, chocolate bunnies, and the like.

On most Easters, a few days beforehand, Mom boiled a pot of eggs for us. We decorated the shells in vibrant colors; my favorite were the pink ones. Sometimes the decorating kits included glitter that made the eggs sparkle. Other times there were Easter stickers we adhered to the shells... and to other things in the house. Our pretty, hardboiled eggs were always put on display for a couple of days before Mom turned them into egg salad or deviled eggs or simply had us eat them whole with some salt and pepper.

Every now and then we participated in an actual egg hunt, but that did not become a regular Easter activity until my siblings and I became adults and brought grandchildren to our parents’ home. That was when the plastic eggs were purchased and filled, then hidden all over Grandpa and Grandma’s backyard—hundreds of them! And usually about two dozen of those eggs included gifts of cash! Those were fun egg hunts when our children were young, the cousins searching Grandpa’s boat and Grandma’s garden for every last egg.

Every Sunday meant dressing up and going to church; Easter Sunday was no exception. The service centered on the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ and what that meant for us. We were taught at church and at home that Christ is our Savior. That his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane was to atone for our sins in order that, by the grace of God, we can repent and receive divine forgiveness. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, after his body lay dead for three days in a sealed tomb, was a miraculous triumph over death. A triumph that Christ gives freely and indiscriminately to the world. Our eventual resurrection is a gift we could never obtain on our own. John 11:25 – “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

Today, my family is grown and moved out to shape their own lives along with holiday traditions that will most likely mingle the “old” with some “new.” My husband and I continue to celebrate Easter by attending church services in Sunday dress, followed by a special dinner at home. We treat ourselves to chocolate eggs and jellybeans too. And I admit: I still send a sweet-filled Easter basket to each one of my boys. They may grow old, but my heart will always recognize my boys as my cherished babes. I am grateful that they have been taught that Jesus Christ is their Savior and Redeemer, that they know to whom to turn for a remission of sins as well as hope for eternal life. Easter is a beloved holiday for those who understand the immense value of Jesus Christ’s atonement. 

Whatever your traditions may be—egg hunts, candy-filled baskets, special dinners, Sunday sermons, family gathers, etc.—I hope you are able to enjoy this coming Easter Sunday. May the reason for its celebration find a place in your heart and understanding.

–Richelle E. Goodrich

My Wonderful Friends

       I am certain a person can traverse through life with as little social interaction as possible. Believe me as an introvert, this isn't an entirely frightening or unappealing notion. In truth, I find my own company to be rather pleasant and sometimes preferable. Don't think I am entirely a hermit; I do have a social life that most often involves my dearest, closest friends.

       I have never been one to boast an overabundance of friendships. My personal preference is a small group of hand-picked individuals whom I trust and love--friends in whose company I feel relaxed, safe, and appreciated. Though they may be few, they are treasured by me because of their loyalty and goodness... and probably because they have some of my own character quirks.

       I love my friends. They are the posts on which I lean when life throws me harsh trials. They are my confidants when I need a listening ear. They are my cheering section when I need a little more confidence. They are my partners in laughter and fun. They are the trustworthy people on whom I rely. Yes, I do value alone time for moments of self-reflection and to focus on creative endeavors, but when I need a friend, few put a smile on my face or warmth in my heart like those dearest and closest to me. Thank you, my wonderful friends.

My Newest Book Release and What I am Working on Now

 

“Vengeance would have us assault an enemy's pride to beat him down. But vengeance hides a dangerous truth, for a humbled foe gains patience, courage, strength, and greater determination.”

― Richelle E. Goodrich, The Tarishe Curse




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RELEASED: The Tarishe Curse
     It took twelve years in the making, but my newest book, The Tarishe Curse is finally complete and up for sale on Amazon. What started out as an attempt to entertain a friend with a short story for Hallows Eve turned into yearly chapter-additions that eventually amounted to one thrilling novel-length tale. Chapter one of the book is the original short story, which was written back in October of 2012. I gave that story to my friend, Cathie Duvall (a huge fan of Halloween) and she quickly read it. Then she asked an unexpected question: "What happens next?"
     Uh... well... I honestly had no plans for the tale to continue. But Cathie made a few suggestions that sparked my interest, and on that day a new tradition was born. Every Halloween from 2012 to 2018, I posted new installments of The Tarishe Curse online for anyone to read. It was a fun exercise for me because my normal writing process is to plan out a book from beginning to end. If I do not like the ending, I will not write the book. This tale, however, had no sure ending in sight. I simply dreamt up a new chapter to attach to the evolving tale every year, usually around September. Then, I posted the new installment near Halloween.
     It was in 2019 that I realized the story had grown into a novel-length manuscript in need of a good ending. That was the real challenge: wrapping up all the plot twists and character plights so I could thread every part of the tale into one culminating finale. Oh, it was a creative test to bring it altogether when I honestly had no idea what the ending would be. Normally, I am certain of the final chapters before I choose to write a story, so this make-it-up-as-you-go style was uncomfortable for me, to say the least. But I did it! And I am well-pleased with Duvalla's fate.
     Where can you get a copy of the book? Great question! Right now, The Tarishe Curse is available in kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats on Amazon. I hope you get a chance to read and enjoy my thrilling tale, and if you do... please, leave a positive rating and a short review on Amazon and Goodreads. It truly does help sell more copies. Thank you so much!





The Tarishe Curse is available in kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats on Amazon.com.

SUMMARY: A thrilling piece of fiction from the Queen of Werefolk’s point of view. It is difficult enough for Duvalla and Kresh to protect their young family in a world of Hallows Eve creatures, but this feat proves near impossible when an old witch bent on vengeance against the werewolves casts a Tarishe curse that manipulates both heart and mind. The battle is not only with a sword but an internal struggle—a fight to love the ones that Duvalla has sworn under a spell to hate, and to hate the one who through evil enchantment manipulates her heart.

What am I working on now? With my latest book,  The Tarishe Curse,  finished and available for readers, I am now  spending my time writing additional poetry to include in a book of original poems. The working title for this book is  A Heart Made of Tissue Paper. Expect a publication date of August 13th, 2023. That's my goal!      Following is a poem from that upcoming book:

EMERITUS   To rise up at dawn or to slumber ‘til noon, with nowhere to be, none too late, none too soon.   To laze like a cat in the shade of a tree, with naught on my list but a nap after tea.   To soak up the sun on a summery day, with nothing to do besides fish in the bay.   To stew in the bath among bubbles of silk, with never a care but to sip on warm milk.   To sleep when I choose on a feathery bed, with naught on my mind, only dreams in my head.   To share days gone by in repeated old tales, that few stop to hear but the dolphins and whales.                                        —Copyright 2023 Richelle E. Goodrich

A Little Comfort

    Losing a loved one is painful. I am certain that those who have experienced this kind of loss feel a pang in their hearts at the mere mention of it. Grief—that aching bruise—never heals. It may improve over time, or perhaps, one just grows numb to it. 

     I recently said goodbye to my father.

     Dad was 81 years old. He died while in the hospital. There were numerous contributing factors, but Covid was the culprit that first got him admitted to a room on the top floor of med-surg. He remained a bedridden patient for two-and-a-half months after his recovery from Covid, mainly due to diminished strength and the need for antibiotics to fight an internal infection. Diabetes and dementia complicated his health issues. 

     We were lucky to celebrate Dad's 81st birthday with him in the hospital, blessed that day to find him in good spirits and mentally aware. We brought him his favorite carrot cake, read messages from his birthday cards, and presented him with a music box that played his favorite classic country songs. The opportunity to see him celebrate this birthday was a gift to us. Dad passed away in his sleep two weeks later.

     I know that even in heartbreaking situations there are blessings to be recognized and appreciated. One of my dearest blessings is my husband—a kind, compassionate, and gentle man who concerns himself with my feelings. He did not disappoint on the day my mom phoned to deliver the news that Dad had passed through the veil into Heaven. 

     We were away from home when the call came. Shortly afterwards, we found ourselves inside a large Buc-ee's gas station. There were snacks, drinks, sandwiches, souvenirs, clothing, and a variety of other items to purchase inside. While I was looking for something to drink, my sweet husband wandered off and then returned with a small, stuffed teddy bear in his arms. It was called a Gifting Bear, and it had one ear sewn from a different material than the rest of its furry body. This corduroy ear was unique for a reason specified in the instructions that came with the bear. 

"Whenever you need a little comfort, a little safe, a little brave, just whisper in my ear and hold me tight. I'll be here for you."

     

     A week plus has passed since my dad's funeral. It was such a turbulent day, I found it impossible to grieve. Following the funeral, days were spent accepting visitors, seeing family off to the airport, filling out necessary paperwork, getting finances in order, etc. It was not until my recent return home that I found a few quiet hours alone and sat down to fully comprehend the realness of my dad's passing.

     That soft, furry teddy bear was in the room with me and had already become a symbol of my dad. So, I took it in my arms and spoke into its little corduroy ear, and with tears, I whispered everything I wanted to say to my father. I felt the shawl of grief that had been denied me at the funeral, but I also felt the most tender reassurance that my words were heard and appreciated. 

     Someday, I too will pass through the veil and step into Heaven to be reunited with my dad again, along with other loving family members who preceded me in death. Until then, my little Gifting Bear sits on my writing desk and allows me to whisper to him whenever I need comfort or safe or brave. That is exactly what my dad used to give me on bad days. I miss him.

Love and Sorrow in the Same Hour

      My family and I are dealing with the recent hospitalization of my father, which turned into a search for long-term care. He is a Vietnam Veteran with a purple heart, but finding a place for his care is turning out to be extraordinarily difficult. My father suffers from dementia as well as a number of physical health problems that keep him bedridden. The doctors recently suggested we consider hospice. 

     It is crazy how through all of this I have found my emotions fluctuating like a yo-yo, shattering at some bit of painful news and then swelling with love and appreciation in the same hour. Such has been the case for a few weeks now. It seems to me that the human heart was made both to break and to mend in order for humanity to effectively experience a vast range of emotions. We feel both pains and pleasures, developing in the process a true capacity for empathy. I love my dad while at the same time I feel deep sadness for his present circumstances. 

     Life gives us joy, and it gives us misery. It does so for everyone. And thank heaven, for it is what makes us human.