All my books so far have been dedicated to Kate, who is our only grandchild and who will turn 9 this month. They live four hours away and our health issues have made the trip too much for us to make, so we don’t see them very often.
They were here a year ago, just about the time Meadowlark Songs came out. I had ordered a hardbound copy for Kate to keep forever. Her mother showed her the dedication page, and what I’d written about her toward the end: “This motherline ends with me, since our only child is our son. Dan has a small daughter, who has a fascinating motherline of her own, which reaches back into Northern Italy, and not that long ago.
“The ‘Leora books,’ as well as this one, are dedicated to granddaughter Kate, who has a more interesting motherline than I have. She does carry the mtDNA of this motherline, and she will inherit Emilia’s poppy plate, if she wants it, as well as Laura’s Noritake. If she doesn’t want the actual heirlooms, she will know their enduring stories.”
It sure blessed this grandma’s heart to see Kate carrying around her own copy of Meadowlark Songs–with her name in it more than once. (Her parents don’t want her identifiable on social media so that’s why the photo from our backs.)
Well, the next book, The Immigrant and the Outlaw: A Collection of Stories from America’s Heartland, will be dedicated to Kate’s daddy, our son Dan. Many of the stories were publishing during the 1990s, when Dan was in high school and college.
One chapter is called “Raising a Son,” with stories about the tooth fairy, refrigerator art, discovering the value of a dollar, and rediscovering the art of table manners. Some of them even showed up in The Des Moines Register, so the dedication is for being a good sport.
Several of the stories were also produced by Our American Stories. The generous Lee Habeeb, founder and host of Our American Stories, has written a foreword for the next book. And there may be an official book cover this month. Oh, I hope you’ll enjoy this one!
Kate carrying the enduring stories – in so many ways, thanks to you, Joy. 💝
Can’t wait to read “The Immigrant and the Outlaw”.
xo! 💝💝💝
Bless you, dear Vicki!
😉❤️😉
Keep writing! I love what you do.
Wow, thanks, Mary!
Love this amazing gift for your granddaughter and beyond! The dedication for the new book sounds like a great tribute for being a good sport! How exciting!
Thank you, Wynne!
We also have just one grandchild. We’ll be seeing him at the end of the month. I’m sure it makes Kate proud that her grandma has dedicated all of her books to her.
Thanks, Pete. Someday she’ll enjoy figuring out how all the people in the books are related to her!
What exciting news! I can’t wait to snag my copy!!
Bless you, Liz. I haven’t been able to write much new, and I’ve had this in the back of my mind, so I guess it’s time!
Absolutely!
How wonderful!
Thank you, Dawn.
Honoring your granddaughter by dedicating most of your books to her will be something she’ll always cherish. You’re next book that you’re dedicating to Dan sounds like it’ll be a fun read. 🙂
I hope it will. Thank you, Nancy!
Wishing you blessings with this next book!
Thank you for the encouragement, Linda!
More of your remarkable writing will be on my TBR list, Joy.
Bless you, Tim!
😍🙏
I know how it is. I have 4 grandchildren. 2 at them live in same city. They 2 others lives in a another town.
Thank you, Tony. At least you can take two of them out for ice cream. . . or even more fun!
Ah, sweet, Joy. You have such a strong relationship with your granddaughter. 🙂
Best of luck with your new book! Oh, how exciting 😉
Pat, thanks so much!