Back in October, my dear friend Alli who teaches high school here in Nashville texted to tell me she’d loaned A Million Little Choices to a friend (a mom), whose teenage son then saw her reading it. The son sent Alli a text saying, “So I hear you know Tamera Alexander.” (LOL) To which Alli (who is absolutely hysterical) simply replied, “GO ON.”
He then explained that Tamera Alexander was his friend’s favorite author—[what? Insert my enormous gratitude here], and he wondered if Alli might reach out to me and ask if I would send a note or something to this young lady, Rebecca. Absolutely I would! And did.
A week or two went by, and I got a very kind email from Rebecca. Then her mom, Corrie, emailed me too. Corrie and I exchanged some emails, and she shared that Rebecca had just gotten a lead role in The Nutcracker (as The Sugar Plum Fairy) that would be performed in December at a local venue. Not only that, Rebecca’s best friend Evangeline had landed a lead role as well (as The Snow Queen). Corrie shared that Rebecca had introduced Evangeline to my books, and asked if I might want to attend the production in December, that it would mean a lot to the girls, and—speeding ahead—I did! But…we kept it as a surprise, so she didn’t tell Rebecca and Evangeline that I was coming.
Let me tell you… It was pure delight watching Rebecca’s and Evangeline’s performances. Those young women are exquisite dancers! I wish I could have taken some video but I would’ve gotten kicked out, so I refrained. But oh, take my word for it…exquisite performances from both.
Following the show, I waited for the girls in the lobby, and Corrie captured Rebecca and me meeting for the first time. It was so sweet.
And here the three of us are, an older thorn between two young, beautiful roses…
I am so incredibly proud of these gals. Of all the work they’ve put in to honing their talent, for their love and faith in the Lord, and for their deep friendship. And I’m honored to have been asked to attend and share in their accomplishments! It’s definitely one of the sweetest “reader meets” I’ve ever had.
I’m so grateful for the ways God moves us in and out of each other’s lives. Even as I write this, I’m reminded of a book I’ve had for decades, God is No Fool by Lois A. Cheney (1969 first publication). Have you read it? If not, I’d encourage you to. It’s full of short musings. Some humorous, others touching. The following, Bits and Pieces, is my favorite.
As 2025 begins, I’m especially grateful for God’s master plan in our lives, and for all the “bits and pieces” that are part of his divine plan in each of our earthly journeys. I would definitely “be less,” as Lois Cheney described it, without this writing journey. But far more, without connections with readers. Little did I know over twenty years ago when I set out to write novels, that one of the greatest joys of writing would be the people I’d meet through story.
What has God been stirring in your heart as this New Year unfolds? Gratitude? Anticipation? Joy? An eagerness to live more closely centered in his will in 2025? If yes, then I’m right there with you!
Happy New Year, friends, and I’m praying God’s richest blessings in Christ for each of you.
Tammy
UPDATED COVERS
for the three-book
Timber Ridge Reflections series
Within My Heart, the third novel in the series, will re-release soon. I am so happy for the opportunity to give these older novels “new life” with updated covers! And thank you, KEN RANEY, for bringing it all together.
Tamera Alexander
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What a lovely story! Thx for sharing!
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Very cool! The book by Lois Cheney sounds like we should apply it to our lives.
The new covers are super!
Thanks, Paula! It’s a great book.
Thanks for sharing your sweet reader meet story. Those girls will never forget your kindness in showing up at their performance.
I’m praying to simplify my life in 2025 to make more room for God and people.
Have a great week!
AMEN on that, Deena. Praying about that for you as I type this. Blessings, friend, and thanks for sharing today.
There is something extra special about those meet-ups with young readers. Wish I could have seen that performance with you. Love the Nutcracker.
It really was so good, Robin. You would have loved it. And, of course, the littlest ballerinas were SO CUTE!! It was just a delight.
I know it meant a lot to those girls that someone they look up to and admire was so kind and caring as you were to come and meet them. Sometimes people we ‘fan girl’ over turn out to be disappointing and it’s so heartbreaking. Having met you myself years ago at a library event, I can happily say you were EXTREMELY gracious to me who was squealing like an 2-year old amped up on Mt. Dew.
Thank you for sharing this precious story. I love that everything came together in such a sweet way for all of you.
Thank you for sharing the “bit” about people in our lives. I am a part time teacher at a local private school. I have really struggled with some of my students this year and have questioned why I am even doing this. This encouraged me to pray for God to use me to touch the lives of these young people in some way even though I may never know what it is and that God may use them to grow me and touch my life in some way as well.
That is SUCH a sweet reader meet story. Loved it! (And their costumes are gorgeous. That photo reminds me why 5-year-old-me wanted to become a ballerina.) 🙂
What a precious gift to have met these young ladies and for they to have met you! God is so good to allow people to come in and out of our lives, challenging, supporting, encouraging along the way. Thank you for sharing that excerpt reminding me of this… especially as we have moved over a dozen times in the past 20 years. 😊
I checked out your latest book (eBook) to my Hoopla account so I am excited to read it!
Have a blessed New Year!
I love this story, Tammy, and I can imagine how thrilled those ballerinas were to meet you. It is so like you to take the time to make their dream come true. I love that about you, my friend!
What a sweet story!
Thank you for sharing it!
What an amazing story! I love that you got to do that! And I agree–I never imagined that meetings with readers would be such a fabulous part of being an author.