Touching Your Dream
Recently, on Absolute Write Water Cooler, we received news that one of our members passed away suddenly.
It upset me more than I realized. As I went about my day, I kept thinking more and more about this lady, a stranger to me.
Her name was Irene and she wrote middle grade fiction. Only recently, she received news from an agent wanting to represent her.
Reading her blog, I felt her joy and excitement at receiving the news. There were several agents interested in her manuscript, but when she spoke to the first agent who offered representation, she immediately felt a connection. That was who she wanted.
Irene touched her dream however briefly, and I hope that brought her some measure of contentment.
I often ponder on life and death. It's important to me to leave this world a little better than I found it. I might not be able to change big things, but maybe I can make some hurts less painful, some joys more powerful, and make friends to last a lifetime.
I think Irene accomplished that. All the interest from agents was just icing on the cake--a little personal woohoo for her bucket list. Judging by the support on AW, she accomplished a lot more than that.
She helped others with their manuscripts, offered a shoulder to cry on when things didn't go as hoped, and urged others to rally and buy her friends' books. She sounded like a wonderful person. The kind of person I'd like to be. The kind of legacy I'd like to leave.
The word on the grapevine says that her husband will continue with Irene's project and I hope with all my heart that it'll get picked up. If it does get published, I intend to buy it as a tribute to a life well spent.
Rest in peace, Irene. You left behind more than a manuscript. You left an indelible impression on people you didn't even know.
What sort of legacy would you like to leave behind? If you knew tomorrow was your last day, what would you do today?
It upset me more than I realized. As I went about my day, I kept thinking more and more about this lady, a stranger to me.
Her name was Irene and she wrote middle grade fiction. Only recently, she received news from an agent wanting to represent her.
Reading her blog, I felt her joy and excitement at receiving the news. There were several agents interested in her manuscript, but when she spoke to the first agent who offered representation, she immediately felt a connection. That was who she wanted.
Irene touched her dream however briefly, and I hope that brought her some measure of contentment.
I often ponder on life and death. It's important to me to leave this world a little better than I found it. I might not be able to change big things, but maybe I can make some hurts less painful, some joys more powerful, and make friends to last a lifetime.
I think Irene accomplished that. All the interest from agents was just icing on the cake--a little personal woohoo for her bucket list. Judging by the support on AW, she accomplished a lot more than that.
She helped others with their manuscripts, offered a shoulder to cry on when things didn't go as hoped, and urged others to rally and buy her friends' books. She sounded like a wonderful person. The kind of person I'd like to be. The kind of legacy I'd like to leave.
The word on the grapevine says that her husband will continue with Irene's project and I hope with all my heart that it'll get picked up. If it does get published, I intend to buy it as a tribute to a life well spent.
Rest in peace, Irene. You left behind more than a manuscript. You left an indelible impression on people you didn't even know.
What sort of legacy would you like to leave behind? If you knew tomorrow was your last day, what would you do today?
Comments
Pope Michael 1st
I guess in the grand scheme of things, I'd liked to be remembered for more than just writing a book or getting it published.
I'd liked to be remembered as someone kind, funny, and helpful.
Thanks, though. That's sweet of you to think of me that way.
Thank you for telling us about her.
~bru
I'm glad Irene got a woo-hoo moment before the end. And I'm glad someone thought to tell her cyber friends what had happened to her. All too often, people disappear from my life, and I wonder what happened to them, if they passed on or just tuned out. My husband has already agreed that, if something happens to me, he'll post on my blog so everyone knows what became of me.
Thanks.
Unless someone shows Greg how to work Blogger, my demise will probably be a footnote in someone else's blog. LOL.
I've tried to teach him several times but he doesn't use it enough to stick.
'It's A Wonderful Life' really got it right.
***
I only know one Nickelback song (Animal) and it's kind of dirty. LOL. But I like it anyway.
It always gets me in trouble if I'm driving. For some reason, my foot presses harder on the accelerator when that song comes on.
If I knew it was my last day, I'd spend it with my parents, two favorite cousins, their spouses and their kids.
And it had better be my last day after that, because I'll be so ticked off to lose first rights otherwise.
Ref: And it had better be my last day after that, because I'll be so ticked off to lose first rights otherwise.
I nearly coughed up a lung when I read this. LOL
Good one!
This is such a loaded question. To leave a legacy behind means that you had been working on it for a while. I would love to see people be more open-minded and less arrogant (or should I say ignorant) when it comes to taking care of our planet. It's the only one we have. Mother Nature is now retaliating for years of abuse and neglect. I've been educating people about this issue, so Iguess that would be my legacy (a grain of salt but it feels good knowing I cared).
jackie ^_^
Ref: To leave a legacy behind means that you had been working on it for a while.
Yup. How we lived our lives will be remembered by those we left behind.
My husband says that to me all the time. I don't play the lottery--so how can I win?
But if you figure it out, let me know.
One last day? Difficult since my kids, family, and friends are scattered all over the country. I'd probably spend some time on the phone. I'd want to spend some time with my wife and daughter and granddaughter who live nearby. And just have quiet peaceful time of reflections and enjoying my surroundings.
Lee
Tossing It Out
A will is all well and good but you never know what those things will mean to those you left behind.