Simple Things

About four years ago I was asked by an acquaintance named Lori if I would be willing to share some of my thoughts related to running for a book she was writing.  The book wasn't about running, but more of an uplifting book based on inspiration for daily living.  She knew that I was a runner and wanted my thoughts on how running inspired me in all aspects of my life.  She told me that she had been earnestly trying to seek the kinds of stories and individuals Heavenly Father would like her to include and that strange as it may seem my name came to her while she was mowing the grass.  She said she knows of me, but not much about my life.  I was more than happy to do so.  She sent me some questions that I answered and returned to her.  She informed me that if what I provide is selected by her publisher then she would contact me in the next few weeks and that even then she couldn't guarantee my responses would make the final edit of the book.  But if they do, I would need to sign a release of information and I would be provided a final edit for my approval.

I never heard back from her and so just assumed that either the book never came to fruition or what I sent in didn't make the final edit.  I never really thought much more about it until we went over to welcome in some new neighbors and the woman we were visiting told me she had been reading in a book about my running and about my son that passed away.

I said, "Whaaaaaaat?"  I had no idea what she was talking about.  But then it hit me that it had to be the interview with Lori and the book must have been published even though I hadn't heard a word about it.

Sure enough it was.

It is a great book!  And the cover is just beautiful.  Our new neighbor couldn't find the pages where my story was published while we were there and so I went and bought it later that week.  I found the part that my story was published but when I read it, I learned that the author made a really big error!  She talks about my son that passed away but she calls him Skyler.  Skyler is my oldest son and is alive and well.  Tyson is my son that passed away.  Oops!  BIG oops!  I guess it would have been a good idea if I had been given an opportunity to give my approval on it before the wrong name was published.  In my answers to her questions, I just said "my son" and never even wrote Tyson's name so someone had to do some research to even find out I also had a son named Skyler.

My part in it starts on March 3 - which happens to be my son Skyler's birthday.  It continues on to March 4th.

(Click to enlarge)

 She writes a little more about running on March 5th as well.

I was happy to see that what I provided was used and it made the final cut.  I am even more happy that we went to welcome in our new neighbor or I would have never known that it had been published.  I just wish my son's name was right.  But if there is one thing I have learned about the written and published word it's that it is not always correct.  I bet about 50% of the things that have been published about me or my family have some error in them.  But we all tend to believe if it is in writing, it has to be right.  Not even. ☺

But, all is well and I am hopeful that what I shared will be able to help someone.  It really is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to everyone.  It's very nice because you just read a short snippet each day.  Lori is a great writer and I am happy that I was even considered to be in her book.  I plan on buying several to give away as gifts.

Here are the answers I gave.  I wanted to add them here so I can preserve them.

If you need an inspiring book about all kinds of topics, I do recommend this book.
Happy reading...