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Where in the world do I begin...with “our story.” Do you believe in fate? Or “a God thing”...As we like to say. I was always emotional, and extremely intuitive...and artistic. I was kind of a round peg, that constantly tried to squeeze into a square hole...if you will. Raised by college educated parents with masters degrees- -both school teachers--I was just going to have a college degree and do something normal...PERIOD. My brother did...what’s wrong with me? I kept asking myself. But I just couldn’t love anything normal...I tried, really. My hometown of Gruver, Texas in the heart of the Texas Panhandle (population 2000), did one of two things to people raised there... nurtured them, or suffocated them. I am so grateful for my sheltered upbringing, among people who cared for me, and my family...but I couldn’t wait to leave...in a cloud of dust. I wanted more.
To please my parents, I rattled around in college for a couple of years, and one day in an honors Government class, we each had to give an award to a person in our small group. The award I presented was a charcoal drawing I had done of two angels in the sky. My brilliant, and very rigid professor gazed at the drawing and with a sincere, yet puzzled look she said to me “Why are you here?” I was taken back, and for the first time in my life probably, at a loss for words. I earned an “A” in that class, but I what I learned in reality, was that I was playing it safe. I was trying to do something that would be acceptable to the people who loved me...but I wasn’t happy. I remembered my passion for art...I missed it. There was really no degree I wanted--nothing more I wanted to do, than to create--something.
I began to draw again...and write. I had always written poetry, and just never thought of making a career of it. I met my husband, Todd-- who LOVED my creative side, and cheered me on with any artistic endeavor. I got my real estate license, and began selling real estate in Dallas--while on the weekend Todd and I would go to arts and crafts shows whenever we could. I sold my poetry in frames, under the business name “Serenity Mill” for about four years and developed a small “following” of people who would seek me out at each event to see my new inspiring pieces. I just loved doing that. I loved knowing the people who purchased my “words.”
In 1996, Todd was hired for a long awaited position with the U.S. Dept. of Treasury...and left home for a six month training. On his only break, at Christmas time of that year--I along with six other spouses in the group, became pregnant with our daughter. (very funny story at their graduation--all of us, four months pregnant). We had talked about having a baby for some time...but I got serious about the prospect those months Todd was away. I talked to God one day about it...and I asked Him for Grace...my daughter. Todd was ready for the next step too--and it happened right away. He was on the plane back to D.C. when I found out. He would see me for the first time pregnant--four months along.
I remodelled the house ($$$) the first three months he was gone, and after Christmas I was in need of a project to fill my lonely days without him. But this time, thoughts of our new baby kept my heart company, and I wanted to celebrate my love for her. I began looking for a journal, and baby book to record my pregnancy, and special moments to come with our new child. But after shopping at the most beautiful baby boutiques anywhere in the country--as Dallas is well known for--I couldn’t find anything I loved, remotely. And at each place I heard...”A good baby book is just so hard to find...we have never found one we love yet.” I was sad, I just knew I would find the perfect thing. That night on the phone, I told Todd of my experience and he quickly dismissed my frustrations...”Just write one,” he said--”you are a wonderful writer, our baby shouldn’t have anything else.” “Sure,” I said in jest...”why wouldn’t I just write a whole book; it’s that easy.” The thought was ridiculous to me. But in the days to come, I began to imagine it.
The first draft was done within a few months, and although called “For Keeps” Baby Keepsake Journal, it was a far cry from what it looks like today. And even so, I sold them daily from a sample at my OB-GYN's office. Then boutiques began to sell my “For Keeps.” A laminated cover, coil bound book with some color clip art sold in boutiques for $60-$75 each...and I couldn’t make them fast enough for the few Dallas stores I had. It became a real burden--and I was a crafter, not a writer. It was time I became a serious business woman. I was an entrepreneur (with spit up on my shoulder all day long)--but still! I bit the bullet and bought my first expensive publishing software program at $700. I was IN it. I remade the book with a more professional look, and added some additional moments to those already covered--and after some time, had the book professionally printed.
People loved the simple concept of including “God” in the baby book. No one in manufacturing ever wants to commit such an act, for fear of losing sales. But for me--it was easy. I wrote it for my own daughter. Other people loved it too. But I never had to write with anyone else in mind. I believe in God, and the miracle of LIFE! I believe there is a Heaven, and that in life, there are “God things...” those things you do, and just look back and feel the sigh of peace in your soul. The fact is, people want more...and deserve more. Moms especially. You see the world in a whole new light after parenthood. You want the WORLD for your baby--this little being with whom God has entrusted to you. Why should it offend you to have a baby journal consider your child a miracle of God? And if it did, I suppose this is a land of choices...so buy another book. Mine has faith--period.
I remember one day, thanking God for giving me my sweet Grace. And my thoughts went to the idea that without her, I would not have my company and my baby journal. And suddenly I felt the whisper of Angels in my ear...a tingle came over me, as I realized God had given me the desire for Grace, and on that day I prayed for her, he knew my love for her in form of simple text, would one day serve His cause.
Blessings to you, and those you love.
May your cup RUNNETH over.
Tasha
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