Monday, June 24, 2013

Aren't We All Lucky Ducks?



It has been over 20 years since I was responsible for my own son's potty training.  Not that it was an award winning event, still, in the Martin household it was cause for great celebration.  No more diapers and no more pull ups. My son had crossed the threshold from toddler to young boy and all he needed at the time was my unconditional support to complete the transition.

Fast forward 20 plus years and I have the honor of watching my best friend's daughter cross that same threshold my son did all those years ago. I sometimes tend to underestimate my calming, supportive influence on people at times and Hailey's first venture into doing what big girls do was no exception.  While others in her family wondered if she would understand what was expected of her, I simply showed my unconditional support when the time came and the rest as they say, was history. We celebrated like there was no tomorrow and I presumed my small part in the whole process would soon be forgotten.

I was wrong.

Saturday evening came along and I was sitting in my magical recliner, doing research on my nonfiction manuscript, when I got a phone call from Hailey's grandmother.  She visits them most weekends so Mom and Dad can have some grownup time so I was curious as to why in the world my best friend's mom would be calling me?  I didn't have long to wonder.  Answering the phone, I was surprised to hear a tiny voice on the other end..."Ma'am, I have to go potty!" Okay, Hailey, I had no idea you needed my permission to answer the call of Mother Nature, but go right ahead...we'll celebrate later!

What does all this have to do with the writing life, you might ask? Everything actually.

We writers are lucky enough to find unconditional support in this writing community as we cheer on those baby steps into this new world we so badly want to be a part of.  We need to  encourage and celebrate each person's step across the threshold from novice to professional writer even if it means answering late night phone calls asking for reassurance that everything will turn out okay. Because it will.  Maybe not today or next week, but in the not too distant future our dreams WILL become our reality...all it takes is the belief we can do this.

I believe in Hailey and I believe in YOU!



23 comments:

  1. I agree. We, as writers, should all be there for one another. Writing is not a competition. Besides, helping others helps ourselves. :)
    ~Becky Fyfe

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    1. Hi Becky! I am not jealous of anyone else's success...I just tend to celebrate with them because I know how hard it is to make it in this industry...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. It is such a blessing to have so many supportive groups! It brings us to know so many dedicated writers, and I am honored to support them, also. Thanks, Donna!

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    1. Hi Carrie! I agree with you. I love being a part of so many writing groups...all of them helpful to me in different ways and all appreciated!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. I don't know what I would do without the support of all my writer friends. They definitely "get" me in ways most people really don't. It's such a blessing!

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    1. Hi Meradeth and welcome to my blog! I have been a writer for over 40 years and most of them spent in a solitary endeavor to feed the need to write. Three years ago I began joining online writing communities and the growth I have experienced as a writer has been amazing! I don't ever want to return to the lonely path of a solitary writer...I would miss my writerly friends too much...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. YOU have certainly been a blessing in my baby steps. *hugs*

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    1. Hi Diane! YOU are being too kind but then again, that is the type of person you are...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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    1. I try, Christine...I try...:~)...and Erik, I'm not even sure what HUZZAH means but hopefully it's a good thing? Lol...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. This is probably the truest of all of your analogies! :D

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    1. Hi Eric! Thank you for your kind words. Maybe I need to put all these analogies in a book? ;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  7. The writing community is a supportive bunch. There to help, guide, share, and celebrate!

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    1. Hi Genevieve! That was probably the most surprising thing for me when I first started joining these online writing groups...how helpful and supportive and friendly everyone is!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  8. I agree, the writing community is a very supportive group, even though I've stepped away from the blogging world this month, to concentrate on writing goals so many have shown up to show support, and it is so appreciated. No one knows the journey better. Most of my family just think I'm full of myself. :)

    That is such a cute story! Sounds like you and Haily will always have a special relationship.
    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hi Yolanda! I guess Hailey is almost becoming the daughter I never had...with the lovely ability to return her home at the end of the day...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  9. You're right. We writers belong to an amazingly supportive community!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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    1. Hi Nutschell! I'm glad you liked this post and I'm happy you are a part of that amazingly supportive community...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  10. What a heart-warming post, Donna. I do feel blessed to be a part of our supportive writing community. I love when we congratulate each other for our successes no matter how little or big they are. I also love when we receive sympathy for our sad news.

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    1. Hi Romelle! I'm glad you like the story...every word of it was surprisingly true...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  11. Great post and so true! We all need encouragement.

    Funny story, when my son was potty training he once knocked on the door while I was in the bathroom and said, "Mommy are you doing poopy on the potty? You're such a BIG BOY!"

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    1. Hi Cindy! That's funny because Hailey keeps saying SHE'S a big boy as well and I have to keep telling her she's a big girl! :~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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