So... there I was, running around the house completing my daily tasks, keeping up a seriously good pace. I was multitasking like you can't imagine when... BAM! out of nowhere a UPS courier dropped off an unexpected package at my front door. Naturally, everything came to a screeching halt.
Okay, in truth I wasn't at the house to receive the small, cardboard box that was delivered. I was driving my son home from guitar lessons (carefully keeping to the speed limit) when the dark, ominous UPS truck pulled away from my house. But the sight did make me curious.
As soon as I stepped through the front door, my family announced, "Mom, it's your book!"
"My what?"
"Your book! We think it's here!"
I noticed a package on the kitchen table. My eyes flickered to the upper left-hand corner of the box at the name of a publishing company. My heart picked up tempo. This wasn't supposed to arrive for another week.
With trembling hands I managed to swipe a sharp blade through the packaging tape before opening the flaps. I reached in to carefully remove a layer of padding. Beneath that was a letter from the publishing company; it quickly fell by the wayside. Beneath that was my book.
MY book. Mine!
Okay, in truth I wasn't at the house to receive the small, cardboard box that was delivered. I was driving my son home from guitar lessons (carefully keeping to the speed limit) when the dark, ominous UPS truck pulled away from my house. But the sight did make me curious.
As soon as I stepped through the front door, my family announced, "Mom, it's your book!"
"My what?"
"Your book! We think it's here!"
I noticed a package on the kitchen table. My eyes flickered to the upper left-hand corner of the box at the name of a publishing company. My heart picked up tempo. This wasn't supposed to arrive for another week.
With trembling hands I managed to swipe a sharp blade through the packaging tape before opening the flaps. I reached in to carefully remove a layer of padding. Beneath that was a letter from the publishing company; it quickly fell by the wayside. Beneath that was my book.
I dared to touch it--a bright, glossy paperback with my artwork and my name printed on the front cover.
So how do you react at seeing your story actually fashioned into a tangible book? A daring dream come true. Five years of effort and painstaking rewrites and earnest prayers wrapped up in a cardboard box. All I could do was stare at the book as my fingers handled the pages, slowly flipping through the thickness of my creative work in print.
"It's my book," I managed to breathe to those standing around the table watching me. I believe at that moment I learned what euphoria feels like.
I would like to thank everyone who helped me make this dream come true. Thank you for the kind support of friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances, and even strangers who helped successfully promote and sell my book. Thank you for your part in the fulfillment of my dream.
Truly,
Richelle E. Goodrich
