It's a fact that stories are the heart and soul of humankind, and that goes back to our origins. But you, Jaime, have taken that fundamental fact and expressed the lifeblood that flows in all of us, through stories, with your column.
I kept this email in my inbox for a few days, until I could take the time to read it, because I knew it would be something very, very special. I was not wrong, but boy you kicked it up twenty-five notches above what I expected. Your column turned out to be So Much More Than I Thought it Would Be.
All I can think of right now, after seeing this column, is the upcoming visit I get to have with my grandkids (some of them) this weekend, because nearly everything I see and hear during the day ends up relating back to them. So, stories and grandkids and grandmothers are God's handiwork in action, maybe accompanied by some popcorn and milkshakes.
Thanks for all you do. Have a wonderful day. I know you will.
...my daughter is coming over later this morning with her two children and staying the weekend. SO excited =)
Thank you, Victoria, for the kind words. I don't often see in myself or in my writing what others point out, but I'm trying to believe. My hope is that I can show what I see AROUND me, and what I EXPERIENCE with stories, with others. To explain how I believe...to the core of my being...about the need for all of us to produce our very best.
...to influence a better outcome for those we love.
The world has so much beauty and wonder in it.
But I will also be one of the first to say that overwhelmingly so, the world is an evil, wicked, brutal and destructive place that wants to consume, use, and abuse our children. That if we do not make the concerted efforts to prepare and strengthen the minds and hearts of our youth, while we still have their attention...we will lose them.
It happens every day, all around us.
I often send time trying to comfort friends who have lost their own kids.
And the one thing I an convinced will give us the advantage over the encroaching darkness...is fiction.
Do you know WHY I believe WE have the advantage?
• Because we know our own well enough;
• Because we can write original fiction well enough;
• Because we can craft desperately needed experiences well enough;
• .Because the world (especially Hollywood & politics) have shown that they canNOT (well enough).
So let's push the advantage.
For as long as this window is open, let's create materials that will spark light, reveal goodness, fuel bravery & courage, and plant seeds of open rebellion against the darkness of this life!
The best part is...this all happens by having fun together, laughing, loving, and connecting.
Thanks again, Jaime. And to your point about the importance of fiction in a world filled with wickedness and evil (yes, it is), writing and sharing our (good enough) stories with the rest of the world makes that darkness, well, less dark. And reading and sharing those (good enough) stories with our grandkids helps (I firmly believe) to shield them from those malign influences. Just like you read stories as a youth to shield yourself from the bangs and bruises of your own life.
This was beautifully said. It spoke to my soul. Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, books have always felt like sacred portals—where characters mirror back parts of me I didn’t even know I needed to see, and where new perspectives quietly offer answers to life’s questions I didn’t realize I was asking. Thank you for honoring the sacred space that stories—of all kinds—hold for us.
I'm not always able to articulate my own internal ideas, but this whole piece is why I started writing. You really hit a bunch of nails on the head. I grew up with fiction and while I didn't have a bad childhood, I have seen others who did.
My godson, if he went to a bookstore and looked up books for his age would be faced with wave upon wave of doom and fear. He didn't need that, he needed hope. I wrote my first book to provide that hope and its still something I try to imbue in all my stories.
So, with your encouragement and wise words, I will redouble my efforts to shed light in a world saturated with darkness.
I hope you liked this article, because it's my favorite so far in the series.
Shed many tears over it. Very personal.
I was granted sanctuaries MANY times in my life.
Still happens at times.
...thank goodness.
It's a fact that stories are the heart and soul of humankind, and that goes back to our origins. But you, Jaime, have taken that fundamental fact and expressed the lifeblood that flows in all of us, through stories, with your column.
I kept this email in my inbox for a few days, until I could take the time to read it, because I knew it would be something very, very special. I was not wrong, but boy you kicked it up twenty-five notches above what I expected. Your column turned out to be So Much More Than I Thought it Would Be.
All I can think of right now, after seeing this column, is the upcoming visit I get to have with my grandkids (some of them) this weekend, because nearly everything I see and hear during the day ends up relating back to them. So, stories and grandkids and grandmothers are God's handiwork in action, maybe accompanied by some popcorn and milkshakes.
Thanks for all you do. Have a wonderful day. I know you will.
[...hugs Victoria]
GO Grandparents!
...my daughter is coming over later this morning with her two children and staying the weekend. SO excited =)
Thank you, Victoria, for the kind words. I don't often see in myself or in my writing what others point out, but I'm trying to believe. My hope is that I can show what I see AROUND me, and what I EXPERIENCE with stories, with others. To explain how I believe...to the core of my being...about the need for all of us to produce our very best.
...to influence a better outcome for those we love.
The world has so much beauty and wonder in it.
But I will also be one of the first to say that overwhelmingly so, the world is an evil, wicked, brutal and destructive place that wants to consume, use, and abuse our children. That if we do not make the concerted efforts to prepare and strengthen the minds and hearts of our youth, while we still have their attention...we will lose them.
It happens every day, all around us.
I often send time trying to comfort friends who have lost their own kids.
And the one thing I an convinced will give us the advantage over the encroaching darkness...is fiction.
Do you know WHY I believe WE have the advantage?
• Because we know our own well enough;
• Because we can write original fiction well enough;
• Because we can craft desperately needed experiences well enough;
• .Because the world (especially Hollywood & politics) have shown that they canNOT (well enough).
So let's push the advantage.
For as long as this window is open, let's create materials that will spark light, reveal goodness, fuel bravery & courage, and plant seeds of open rebellion against the darkness of this life!
The best part is...this all happens by having fun together, laughing, loving, and connecting.
...which we want to do ANYWAY!
Thank you for the comment, Vitoria.
It made my day wonderful =)
Thanks again, Jaime. And to your point about the importance of fiction in a world filled with wickedness and evil (yes, it is), writing and sharing our (good enough) stories with the rest of the world makes that darkness, well, less dark. And reading and sharing those (good enough) stories with our grandkids helps (I firmly believe) to shield them from those malign influences. Just like you read stories as a youth to shield yourself from the bangs and bruises of your own life.
Be well, my friend. You've done a good thing.
Could not agree with you more, Victoria!
I think you might enjoy how this 12 article series plays out (I finished writing the last one in the series about 7 hours ago).
...stay tuned for more words that 100% support that last statement of your (grin)!
This was beautifully said. It spoke to my soul. Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, books have always felt like sacred portals—where characters mirror back parts of me I didn’t even know I needed to see, and where new perspectives quietly offer answers to life’s questions I didn’t realize I was asking. Thank you for honoring the sacred space that stories—of all kinds—hold for us.
Anytime (grin).
Thanks for the inspiration!
Just getting started, my friend.
...just getting started.
I'm not always able to articulate my own internal ideas, but this whole piece is why I started writing. You really hit a bunch of nails on the head. I grew up with fiction and while I didn't have a bad childhood, I have seen others who did.
My godson, if he went to a bookstore and looked up books for his age would be faced with wave upon wave of doom and fear. He didn't need that, he needed hope. I wrote my first book to provide that hope and its still something I try to imbue in all my stories.
So, with your encouragement and wise words, I will redouble my efforts to shed light in a world saturated with darkness.
Thank you for defining the things in my head.