~SanGenWoman Blog~: ~P.S. Life Goes On~

Day-O by Jan Steinle

I started this tangle on the beach in Jamaica, my favorite place in the world. It's nice to have somewhere (even just in my imagination) that brings me peace and takes me to a happy daydream. When I look at this it makes me smile.

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I was mulling over what I'd like to write about in this post and came up with a couple ideas that I'd like to share with you.

Last night I had my clipboard out and was writing down a theme around "P.S." I came up with a list of postscripts I thought I'd share with you. I hope they are thought provoking and will make you think about your perception of life and living. There's no hidden meaning and I wrote them on the spur in this random order:

P.S. You got this~

P.S. Life goes on~

P,S, He said, she said~

P.S. In the year 2525~

P.S. Dear Squeezed One~

P.S. Call me Monday morning~

P.S. Email me~

P.S. The Artistry of Living~

P.S. I love my peeps~

P.S. I thought we talked about this already~

P.S. We Are One~

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My paperback edition and updated Kindle are finally on Amazon! What a milestone and undertaking. It was 2 yrs in the making. I started making outlines in September 2014. I'm so happy to complete this journey and feel good about what the final product looks like and feels like. When I was nearing the end of my book writing/publishing journey, just barely a couple weeks ago, I wrote a summary of sorts for the process of the book and cover design made by my sister Jan Steinle. Here is what I wrote:

Jan designed the front and back cover of the book. She was very involved in this journey and we are strong partners in life and in business. Her Zentangle art is spectacular. I am one of her biggest fans. My Mom's picture on the back cover was the finishing touch. We felt Mom kissed the book, gave her blessing and gave her approval. After all, she is the star in this compilation of Letters written to my fellow Carers of the world.

Mom sent Dad this picture of her when she was 21 and inscribed it to him:

9/16/48 - To Stan - I love you, Joan

Jan transcribed her inscription on the tangle. We all fell in love with the tangled image of Mom. She looks like an angel. Dad also played a huge role in this trio. He was my editor and we worked side by side for a solid year, collaborating weekly as I generated my blog posts. A true labor of love. I wrote when we were at our rawest, finding a light to give to others that are living through family crisis, aging, special needs and chronic illness. Fighting the big fight of caring for our loved ones. We are created to care for one another from the time we're born. Beginning to end. What was and what will come when Father time comes beckoning us to respond to the needs of others. The life cycle of great love and great loss. We are given coping mechanisms to adjust in life when loss hits us hard. We never forget what happened because everyday that void is present and yet, the great love and memories are what we hold near and dear to our core. That keeps us going. We are right on track and we can do better by supporting those around us who are in the big shoes of caring for another. They need our help, understanding, support and compassion.

Now that I'm done writing my book, I said to Dad last night - not only do I feel like I gave birth with the book publication, I feel like I just woke up. I have been writing, editing and formatting my journey with my Mom as her primary Caregiver for two years with no breaks. I haven't had the time or presence of mind to really take in what life is like now that she's no longer with us. I can just be, without pressing deadlines and see what is in store for the future. I'm excited to see what doors will open. I'm not sure when I'll start another book. For now, I just want to enjoy the completion of this book and sit back for a minute - and breathe.

The Artistry of Caregiving: Letters to Inspire Your Caregiver Journey ~ helping you navigate the emotional journey of caring for a loved one. Not meant to be read in any particular order, your daily companion letting you know you are understood and not alone.

~Do your best, no regrets~

Love, Carole