REMEMBER WHEN. . .
- People believed in “Happily Ever After?”
- People knew “Where’s the Beef?”
- A penny saved was a penny earned?
- A handshake could seal a deal?
- And when someone told you a truth, you believed it because the person was willing to prove it and submit to fact-checking?
Dear Friend,
Life travels in cycles. Ups, down, off the main path, and back on track. We’re living in tough times.
Our government is being dismantled.
Will we have income tax refunds, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs that support our lives? Will the arts remain the cultural treasure they deserve to be, separate from partisan politics?
I’ve lived through tough times before. They were devastating, challenging me to put food on the table, pay the rent, and take care of a child with special needs.
Recently, thousands of government employees lost their jobs with barely any notice. . . . Dedicated employees who worked hard to fulfill their roles and make life better for others.
I was a government employee. . . laid off. . . and raising a child on my own. It was a challenge. I empathize with the government employees.
In high school, I studied what’s been called “civics.” We learned how the government worked. Checks and balances with the Presidency, Congress, and Supreme Court balancing each other to create a true democracy. No one branch of the government could run without the other parts of government weighing in. In Congress, our representatives learned to “reach across the aisle” and compromise to make democracy work.
Democracy hasn’t been perfect, hence African American slaves were in servitude for many years. Eventually, the laws changed. At least people have tried within my lifetime to respect the rights of other people.
Woman and minorities are still not treated equally in the workplace or in their homes. Laws exist, which need to be respected and reinforced, so everyone can earn a decent living, the right to own property, and have a safe place to live.
Education is one of the most endangered of our rights. With the possibility of the US Education Department being shut down, we need to ensure education is a prime part of every child’s life. Learning and being excellent readers enables students to become functional adults who can manage the various challenges of adult life.
For as long as the United States has been a country, each generation bemoans the failings of the next educationally. History tends to repeat itself, but if you don’t pay attention to history, you won’t know that.
Learning to evaluate, question, challenge, and debate how things work is an essential skill everyone should know. As voters, we should be reading and evaluating everything pertaining to our lives, liberties, and freedoms. We own these priceless rights, but don’t appear aware of the value they have. Not everyone has them.
As a child, I read a book titled Blue Willow. It focused on one child whose parents were transient workers, following the crops that needed harvesting. The only item of value the child owned was a plate with a colorful blue willow design. She had her family and the special plate. The book made me aware of people’s lives outside of my own family. It developed my social conscience.
We all need something that gives us hope. Something that provides a sense of joy, fulfillment, and happiness. I always encourage people to do at least one thing for themselves every day. It could be taking a bubble bath, eating something that you made yourself, helping someone and seeing their smile.
And we’ve come back around to believing in Happily Ever After. And I do. . . believe in Happily Ever Afters. That’s why I prefer writing romance. Creating a world where people can love, enjoy relationships, and make the world a happier place. Sometimes, happily ever afters seem harder to earn. Given the approach to romance writing that authors laughingly live by─chase your character up a tree, throw rocks at the character, and burn the tree down─in other words, put your protagonists through trials so they can earn their “HEA,” I try to take it easy on my creations. But still challenge them or the books would be boring.
Let’s value the good and great things waiting for us. Don’t settle for poor treatment or representation. Let’s respect others, but champion the causes of those who need and deserve help. Remember. Seek the best memories and perpetuate them for yourself, your family, and your neighbors. A simple “hello” might make someone’s day.
Most of all, be present in your own life. Share, care, and hope for the best. Then, make it happen!
No, I don’t consider myself a Pollyanna. I’m aware of the terrible conflicts occurring in the world. I still believe in my books, my characters, and the possibility that my characters can overcome the tough stuff to find themselves a loving and loyal partner.
I admit staying positive is a challenge. Knowing we’re in the “down” cycle right now requires strategies to stay upbeat and functional. I do a lot of home cooking and include recipes in my books so people can try out the recipes. Figure out what works for you, be it chatting with friends, taking a walk, journaling, or reading an inspiring book.
Thanks for staying with me! Please leave comments after this blog. I appreciate you!
Sincerely,
Shelley Sommers
PS I’m working hard on my next book as Louisa ventures to college and deals with new challenges. If anyone would like to be a BETA reader–probably starting in May–I’d love to have your eyes on my book before it’s finished. (You’ll receive a finished book when it’s ready as thanks for your assistance.)
Contact me at – shelley@shelleysommers.com
