A Slice of Life
About four years ago, on family pizza night, just after Think Tank graduated from high school and a few months before he left for college, he ushered his new (and did I mention first and only?) girlfriend through our mudroom door. A young woman, whose head just squeaks past my shoulder, smiled and joked that she was taller than my six-foot-three-inch husband whose broken leg had relegated him to a wheelchair. After a bit of light banter, we learned she was fine with pepperoni. As Hubby and I threw back the covers and clambered into bed later that night, I pronounced, “That’s the woman he’s going to marry.”
Well, folks, I wasn’t wrong. Our third-born did just that over the weekend, two weeks after brandishing his diploma and holding on to his cap while others flung theirs toward the clouds. But as sure as I was that long-ago night, watching her nibble on her crust and navigate through our snarky humor, there was some wrestling to do between then and now. Lots of prayer and preparation, growth on all our parts, crying and crying out, and even a slammed door or two (usually mine, I must admit). Time invested learning all the toppings our new daughter-in-law likes on her pizza. Some moving up and moving out before they sailed down the grass-covered aisle, beringed hands intertwined.
That’s how it is with my style of Southern fiction.
A great idea, the absolutely best idea, strikes me—characters, setting, the barest bones of a plot (which is all I need to get up and running, once I hear imaginary folks talking to me at 3 a.m.). And right away, I know this. is. it. But then comes the wrangling, the working it out, the praying over each word. The molding of that idea around a central theme, shaped and chiseled by scripture and faith. The writing and the editing and the perfecting and the back and forth with my editor before that inspiration, all dressed up with a title and my name on the cover, marches down the aisles of a bookstore in the hands of a reader.
Interestingly enough, our third child and his bride started dating while I was working on my third novel, Walking in Tall Weeds; they even served as my models for a social media post to promote it. It encouraged readers to ask themselves, “What does love look like?” and consider how their relationship with God impacts all their relationships. The book’s main character, Frederick Baldwin, sprang from stories my dad had shared about his growing-up years and the time with his grandfather. The Lord called Daddy home a few months ago, so he never got to see his grandson get married. But I take comfort in knowing that these two unconventional, headstrong men are starting brand-new lives full of love. God’s timing.
You can guess there’ve been quite a few tears in our household lately, with all the coming and going, losing and gaining. We yet grieve a father and grandfather as we rejoice over his going to glory. We sigh over Think Tank’s empty bunk bed and celebrate the new home he’s creating. I’ve closed the book on some parts of my life, but I’ve opened my heart to new family members, new graduates, new stories, and I hope, new readers, thanks to my new spot as a blogger with the Inspired by Life…and Fiction family. These are all stories I’m blessed to carry.
I’m so excited to meet you, and I hope we get to know each other better through my writing and your reading. Feel free to share your fav pizza toppings and what’s inspiring your life right now. (You could make me a pepperoni pizza with extra cheese if you want to hear more about what floats my writing boat.)
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Welcome, Robin, to our community here at IBL&F. What a fabulous inaugural post. I loved hearing about their wedding and seeing that picture… So good. You can see the love in their eyes and in their clasped hands. They’ve only just begun, as that old Carpenter’s song goes. I’m praying for them as I type this, for their Monday together—and all the years ahead. And I’m gonna need you to share that pizza, woman. Pepperoni with extra cheese is a fav! But I wouldn’t complain if you through lots of veggies on there too. I 🤍 pizza!
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and the prayers for our honeymooners. Much needed! I know Angela Hunt left behind huge writing shoes to fill. And Hubby and I don’t mind veggies on our pizza (we can pretend it’s healthier that way).
Welcome to the blog, Robin! I may not be a new reader to your books, but I am happy you’re here and looking forward to what you have to share. Congratulations on your new DIL.
I’m thrilled to be here as well. Now we can chat! 😊 It’s nice to have another woman in the family who faces the same vertical challenges as I do.
Welcome! I met you at the Readers Rendezvous in St. Louis in Nov. 2024 when you were rockin’ that cute orange Nike outfit and worried about getting back home due to not having ID. You were a delight then and I look forward to you blogging here. Congratulations to your son and your new daughter-in-love.
As Eeyore would say, thanks for noticing me. 😉 And as you can see, I made it, thank the Lord. Still wearing orange! So glad to “see” you again here.
Thrilled to have you joining us, Robin! Our families teach us so much, don’t they? About ourselves, about others, and about God.
My favorite pizza topping is the much maligned PINEAPPLE! I love pineapple on pizza and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Ha!
I’ve definitely learned so much more than I taught my peeps. And I’m just as thrilled to be here. Thanks for having me!
So, if loving pineapple on pizza is wrong, you don’t wanna be right? One day, I’ll have to venture on the sweeter side.
Congratulations on the wedding!
How about extra pepperoni and jalapeños? The best!
I’m looking forward to reading your books and getting to know you through the blog!
Thanks so much, Sarah! Extra pepperoni and jalapeños sounds yummy. I’m all for savory and spicy. I’m happy to connect with you here and on the shelves.
Welcome, Robin. We’re so delighted to have you with us.
Thanks so much, my fearless Spider Slayer. It’s an honor and a pleasure.
I loved Walking in Tall Weeds!
Keep up the great writing!
That blesses me, Martha. Walking in Tall Weeds is a special story, especially now. Readers like you inspire me.
So excited to get to know you, Robin! Glad you’ve joined us!
I’m happy to join the Inspired family, D’Ann. Thanks for the warm welcome.
Congratulations to your son and his bride! And a very warm welcome to the blog. So glad you’re here!
Thanks for the welcome and the warm wishes. I can tell this is going to be fun!
Glad to be back here! And welcome aboard, Robin.
So glad to be here, too. Many thanks!
Robin, so glad to have you on the blog and I loved your post. We’ve had some of those same comings and goings in our family and I sure feel the bittersweet, yet joyful, hopeful feelings that brings. May the Lord bless your family greatly.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with you, and I thank you for the blessing. Bittersweet is a fitting word, but so is hopeful. I continue looking to the Lord!
Robin –
I’m so glad to see you here at the Inspired by Life … and Fiction website as one of the inspirational authors. I’m sorry to learn of the loss of your father. Having experienced the loss of my dad, I can empathize. Their presence is missed during the family milestone events (like a son’s college graduation and marriage). Praying for you as you navigate the journey with these ups and downs and adjust to “new normals”.
As far as your craft, I’ve enjoyed your work since reading your debut novel, “A Long Time Comin’,” many years ago, to the most recent, “The Stories We Carry”. Thanks for adding a personal touch by sharing your Slice of Life. I look forward to reading more of your posts here, as well as the Instagram posts you make.
We’re certainly trodding along similar, hard roads. We’ve had a high-school and a college graduation this year, as well as two family weddings–our niece’s and our son’s–and Daddy was much missed. But knowing the joy he’s experiencing comforts us a little more each day. Thank you so much for your kindness and support. I hope to chat with you here in a couple weeks!