I crossed something huge off my bucket list last week! I got to meet author Jan Karon! I’ve read all but three of her books and have admired her so much over the years. Friday night, she came to Wichita! What a gracious and beautiful woman! She shared Jesus Christ boldly to an audience that was quite diverse. She was witty and charming and oh-my-goodness-is-she-ever-GORGEOUS! Even face-to-face. And she’s 77! (I’d be thrilled to look like her at 59!)
I went with my sister Vicky, and friend Juli, and we just had a blast! There were probably 300 people at this event, but Ms. Karon took time with each one as if they were the only one, chatting and posing for photos.
I had brought a signed copy of my new book, hoping I’d have a chance to give it to her. Trying to be discreet, I asked quietly if I could give her a copy of my novel. She took it, admired the cover, commented that Abingdon was a fine publisher. Then she held the book up and said, “Well, let’s promote this book!” Yes, let’s DO! I thought, flying higher than a kite! Apparently, THIS is what I look like when flying higher than a kite:
When my sister and I got in the car afterward, Vicky had a copy of the Cokesbury book catalog (her husband is a United Methodist pastor, and Vicky is also my co-author on two non-fiction books of children’s sermons, also published with Abingdon Press).
I leafed through the catalog, and when I came to this page spread, Vicky and I both gave a little gasp! To find this fun juxtaposition of books was the capper to an incredible evening to remember! I’m so glad I got to share it with my sister, too!
• Today is also an anniversary of sorts. Not one to celebrate, certainly. Twenty years ago today, September 8, 1994, I walked into our local grocery store around 9 p.m. to return a video and pick up a few groceries. Before I would leave the store that evening, I’d be witness to a brutal murder. (You can read one account of the story by scrolling midway down HERE.) Strangely enough, this tragic event happened the day before I received a phone call offering my first book contract. It was a week of highs and lows, for sure, and an odd, but memorable way to start my writing career!
Do you have a bucket list? What is one thing you’ve fulfilled from that list, and the one thing on your list that you hope to check off first?
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Good morning.
You look thrilled! Isn’t it so much fun when God gives us the desires of our hearts! So joyful for you that you got to meet her. She truly is a beautiful woman. All of you are.
My bucket list check off..being able to visit The Kilns , entering Holy Trinity Church, visiting the grave site of CS Lewis, going to The Eagle and Child pub….it was AMAZING! My dream came true. I can’t wait to meet him one day in Heaven. He continues to leave a legacy of literary genius and an incredible example of following Jesus, grappling with faith…I could go on and on!
I love having a bucket list. It keeps me focused and it really is fun to look back at the ways God has moved in my life. I look forward to checking off going to my first ACFW this month! And I am not ashamed to say that meeting you is on the bucket list! Blessings to you this beautiful fall day.
Gail, SO glad you’ll be at ACFW!! PLEASE, hunt me down and introduce yourself!! I’d love to meet you face to face!
What a wonderful opportunity for you to meet Jan ,Deb ! You’re right…..She looks gorgeous and I wouldn’t mind looking as good as she does, when I’m 77,either! I’ll bet you savoured every word she spoke and promoting your book! Wow!.:)
I read all the news items…. very interesting dating back to the late 1800’s and I loved reading about the reunion between Harry and his Mom too!
I have a bucket list but it seems to get longer not shorter.LOL
I know I’ve mentioned this several times before but it means so much to me!.:) I achieved one thing that went to the top of my list and that was meeting a few of my” idols”… my author friends, when we travelled to the US in 2013. Kim and Judy looked after us so well and we felt so at home staying with them:).
We also met Cathy and Chris Hake in Anaheim too and had a wonderful time with them! I don’t think I’ve ever shopped so much as I did with Cath!LOL .
Dear Carol made time to visit at Kim’s as well(she dubbed me an honorary Arizonan because we live at Flagstaff in Aus .:)
Just the icing on the cake, when PJ and Hugh flew from Georgia to meet us too…..my caring, long term cyberpal became reality!!! We laughed till we cried! Our husbands sought refuge in Don’s man cave. LOL
Such a fabulous few days with them all and all up….a FABULOUS couple of weeks touring with Judy and Lori in the Amana country! So truly Blessed to have had that wonderful experience and we will treasure our Memories of our holiday for ever!:)
Don and I treasure our time with you and Pete, Patti Jo and Hugh, and Judy. Such wonderful memories!
Love hearing about your Kansas bucket list cross-off, Rosie! SO glad you were able to do that!
I can honestly say I don’t have a bucket list. The most important thing for me is to see that all my children and grandchildren walk committed to The Lord…but I don’t have to be there to see it.
I guess I would like to know when I stand before God that He truly will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant…”
That’s the best answer anyone could give, Sandy. I have a feeling when we all finally get to Heaven, our bucket lists will look pretty pale by comparison, and our regrets for things left undone will quickly disappear!
Not to cast a shadow on bucket lists…I might have liked to meet Grace Livingston Hill the same way you did Jan Karon. (<;
I’m pretty sure you WILL get to meet her. Under the loveliest of circumstances! 🙂
Amen! You are SO right! LOL!
I hang my head in shame and admit that I have yet to read a Jan Karon book. I know, I know, you’re going to make me turn in my avid reader badge, aren’t you? Sigh. I will change that this fall some time. My TBR pile is teetering a tad too high just now. I have to pair it down.
So glad you got an opportunity to meet a favourite author. That’s my whole bucket list, actually. To visit the places I’ve read about in great fiction and attend a slew of book signings by my favourite authors along the way.
And your added announcement at the end. Merciful Heavens…my mouth is gaping wide open. I guess that is something that would definitely stick with you over the years. What a blessing to have received that ‘call’ the next day. Definitely highs and lows that week for sure.
Kav, there’s a certain very popular Christian novel I haven’t yet read (I’m ashamed to admit it!) so I totally understand. There just aren’t enough hours in the day or days in the week! But I can testify you are in for a REAL treat with the Mitford novels! I’m reading HOME TO HOLLY SPRINGS right now and thoroughly enjoying it!
I am THRILLED you were able to meet Jan Karon, Deb!! 🙂
I have loved all of her Mitford books (my middle sister got me started on the series) and then we (sisters and I)
were very blessed to meet Jan about 7 years ago when she visited Atlanta. She spoke at the Jimmy Carter Library, and
since my oldest sister worked there (and was actually helping with the Jan Karon event) we had front-row seats, then
visited with her afterward! As you said, she took her time with us and is truly such a lovely, charming lady (and yes–GORGEOUS!!). I remember asking her if she still had any sheep on her farm in Virginia (because I love sheep) and we had
a delightful visit. I hope she continues writing for years to come!
Hugs, Patti Jo
P.S. Love your photos!! And how wonderful that she promoted YOUR book!!
P.P.S. Waving at Rosie!! That “Kansas Weekend” was so FUN!! 🙂
So wonderful that you got to meet her, Patti Jo! And with your sisters. It was so neat for me to share the evening with one of my sisters. My sister didn’t get me front row seats though. I’ll have to discuss that with her for next time! 😉
At the moment I only have two things on my bucket list and one has been fulfilled. I had my picture taken with my teenage heart throb, Peter Noon(e) of Herman’s Hermits. My other wish is to attend an Alabama/Auburn football game in person. That will probably never happen because ticket prices are out the yazoo expensive!
Never say never, Gail! You just never know what treats God might have lined up for you. I once won season tickets to Wichita Music Theater, something I NEVER thought we’d be able to afford. It was an amazing season of musicals! We haven’t gone since, but I still have the memories. I’m going to be praying that you get to attend that football game! 🙂
My “out-the-yazoo-expensive” bucket list item is visiting our oldest son in Berlin, Germany. Every time I check airline prices I have to cry a little. It would cost us over $3,000 just to GET there, never mind having any money to spend once we got there. But it’s still a dream of mine. That, and a little side trip to York, England to have my photo taken in front of the house where my great-great grandparents lived before coming over on a ship to America.