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Friday, August 10, 2007

Who Inspires You?


Sorry I'm blogging a day late. I’ll tell you all about why next week. (I’m going for a soap opera-y cliffhanger there. Did it work?)

Today I actually have something else to talk about. In my novel The Icing on the Cake, the main character, Annabelle, has a pink notebook where she writes about people who inspire her. On my website, I have a place where readers can submit their own “Pink Notes" and have them posted on the site. I have been overwhelmed by the amazing, touching emails from readers. They have made me think and made me resolve to try a little harder to be a little better. So I thought for my blog today, I would share a couple of the submissions I have received. You can read these and other Pink Notes on my website http://www.elodiastrain.com/.

Suzy's Pink Note #1
Name: Emily A.
Why She's Noteworthy: Emily is a little 14 year old girl who has had leukemia three times in her short life. In December, she had a bone marrow transplant and is now doing much better. The thing that amazes me is that she has remained happy the entire time. Even when her hair fell out, she simply pulled out the hats and bandanas and kept going. Emily is a really close friend, and I have never once heard her complain or wonder why God let this happen to [her.] She has inspired so many people. She is the brightest, cutest, most positive girl I have ever met! I wish everyone in the world could meet her.
-Submitted by Suzy, a reader from Utah, via email

Brianna’s Pink Note #1
Name: A friend
Why She’s Noteworthy: Well, as I read the book, every time I read a “Pink Note” I thought of people in my life that have and do inspire me. It is so hard to decide who to begin with so that is why I titled it #1 so that I can eventually write about the others! I want to start with a very good friend who I met in high school...and then she moved far away. We have stayed in contact through the years, which I am very grateful for. She is such an example and inspiration to me because she has always shown me how to be cheerful and happy no matter your circumstances, and this is very hard to do at times! She has worked very hard and has followed her dreams which have led her to great success and I am very proud of her!
-Submitted by Brianna, a reader from Washington, via email

Diane's Pink Note #1
Name: My Grandma
Why She’s Noteworthy: I am caretaking my 91 year old grandma who has dementia and no longer short term memory. What I am learning is [it’s] not the huge events in ones life but the simple acts of kindness...that one joyful moment spent with someone you love...watching their face [as they] open up that piece of chocolate candy. The one line you wrote...
"'You have a way of capturing people,' I said, continuing to admire the photo.
'People are my favorite subjects. When a person inspires me, I capture a moment in their life, so I can remember...'"
That is exactly what I do when I am with my grandma.
-Submitted by Diana, via email

Aren't those awesome?!!! Have a great week, and think about the Pink Notes in your own life. Talk to you later.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Elodia,

Thanks for sharing your "Pink Notes." Those people are truly inspiring and something I really needed to read about this morning.

Tamra Norton said...

What a wonderful idea, Elodia! I love these "Pink Notes." Very inspiring! Now I need to sit down and write my own. There are so many people who inspire me.

Tristi Pinkston said...

I really appreciate what you're doing with these "Pink Notes," Elodia. I think we get so caught up in finding fault with people and with situations that we tend to overlook the positive. Thanks for encouraging us to look for the good.

Marcia Mickelson said...

I really loved how writing those pink notes depicted you main character. It made her so much more likeable.