Being Detached, Being Married

News of this past week reminds me of the Buddhist tale that I happened to read in Mitch Albom's HAVE A LITTLE FAITH. The story goes like this:

A farmer discovers his horse has run off.
The neighbors say, "That's terrible."
Farmer says, "Maybe."
The next day the horse comes back with several horse-friends.
The neighbors say, "Wonderful."
Farmer says, "Maybe."
The farmer's son rides one of the new horses and falls, breaking his leg.
The neighbors say, "Terrible."
Farmer says, "Maybe."
The next day, officials come to draft the son to go to war, but because of his broken leg, don't take him.
The neighbors say, "Such good luck."
Farmer says, "Maybe."

Albom says he's heard stories like this before. "They are beautiful in their simplicity and surrender to the universe. I wonder if I could be attached to something so detached. I don't know. Maybe."

I feel the same way. I am fiercely attached to my family, but other things, I try to let go. Last week, I learned that David of OCCBWW has decided not to have the second workshop after all -- I was slated to teach magazine and nonfiction writing at that one. I was very, very disappointed. But in the grand scheme of things, who knows whether this is good or not. I leave that up to our good Lord. Because the one thing I've learned is that no matter what, things happen for a reason. I cannot see the tapestry of my life, but God does. He sees the white and gold threads as well as the black and red ones. He sees the beautiful top and the messy bottom. And so, I've let it go. There will be another time, I'm sure of it.

I've also learned my niece is getting married. There is so much excitement in the air, I could burst. Aside from thinking about the gifts I would like to give, I pray for the young couple, that they always remain committed to each other. May their love grow strong over the years.

I remember my own wedding, taking the vows ... to love, honor, and obey, in sickness and in health, till death to us part ... and laughing and crying all at once because my husband and I are bound together. This fall we took those same vows and had them blessed. Made them sacred. Nothing, absolutely nothing can tear us apart because what God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

Time to end this rambly post and get back to work. I have a novel to write. Have a great week.
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Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop

My own pictures of the Oregon coast are not digitized because they're from way back before I ever had a digital camera and we're so pathetic we don't even have one of those cool scanners, copiers, printers and babysitters thingamajiggers all rolled into the one. So you'll have to go to the official OCCBWW site to see pictures that David Greenberg has.

Go now.

And come back here.

Good.

Did you click through some of the pages?

Under Tips and Suggestions David has more pictures. And under Instructors: Session II, you'll see moi!

Yup, I'm going to talk about magazine writing and nonfiction, both which I love to write, and that has paid for the endless reams of paper I go through for my novels and much more. I will be sharing what I know about getting started and published in these venues.

I'm very, very excited to be at OCCBWW. It is a gorgeous place and David runs an excellent conference. Just read the testimonials. I suspect it's a lot like the Highlights conference in Chautauqua but on a smaller scale. Of course, you can't beat the location. The Oregon coast is simply the most unspoiled piece of nature ever. It's intimate. There's time for learning in a group and one-one-one and quiet time to ponder and write.

Years ago, I had wanted to go to OCCBWW, but my kiddos were too young (and it seemed I was either pregnant or nursing or both) and by the time they were old enough, I somehow managed to get scholarships to two workshops on the East Coast. Of course, that's where I chose to go. So I'm thrilled to be coming to OCCBWW as a faculty member.

Register soon. I hear that spots get filled up fast. This is why David is offering two sessions.

I hope to see you there next summer. Happy writing.
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