A Book Launch to Remember: Gratitude, Reunion, and Celebration
The event started a few days before when my family arrived from Canada and Mexico. It turned out to be a reunion of many of my soul family who I hadn’t seen in a very long time.
Thank you, Nicole, for taking me shopping, doing my hair and encouraging me to paint my nails green! As we shopped to get something new for the event, I thought of when you were ten and I was trying to get clothes together for you. It was tough then, as I didn’t like the clothes you liked! As you did my hair, it was also a role reversal as years ago I helped you prepare for your fashion shows in Lihue and Vancouver.
Prior to the event, I delivered eighty books to the bookstore. They had requested forty, but I decided to take more, just in case! And yes, we sold seventy books that day! Thank you to everyone who purchased books and made it a successful day for the bookstore as well.
Thank you, Marni for being a gracious interviewer and hostess. I especially appreciated that you took me aside prior to the introductions to set an intention and prayer for the day and this book. I was holding prayers in my own heart, and having two hearts with a joint intent was exponentially more powerful.
Despite initial nervousness that day, I was in touch with my excitement to be there, in the bookstore, with friends and readers, finally able to speak about my journey. As I read aloud about the Gale, I was grateful for the recent reading practice while recording my audiobook. It was a little surreal, to have you all there and listening in real time together; a part of me remains in awe of that exact moment.
When the interview started, I found I was happy to be speaking, finally, after all the concerns I’d had over the years about talking in public. And I enjoyed myself! Thank you for listening with your hearts and minds.
Thank you to all of you who waited in line for me to sign your books. It was fun to share some words and a personal way to connect with each of you. And a shout out to Dr Melanie for being there and for the personalized signing pen.
The following day, a key character in the book showed up from Arizona. I had not seen Wajdo in almost thirty years. Tosh, Waj, Nicole, Gavin and I had some wonderful times swapping stories over the next few days. It was amazing how we each remembered events differently and even how some of us actually forgot some things: together we made up a whole brain and a complete story.
It was a precious launch and reunion for us all, and one I will not forget! Thank you for being part of it
