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An End-of-Year Letter to Readers
Dear Readers, Today, I’m going to start with one of the highlights of the year, and it has been handwriting letters to readers. I’ve handwritten over 100 letters to readers thus far. Without a doubt, this has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of being an author, for without readers, we are lost. When I published The Letters in the Books in July, I knew I wanted to do a special promotion with an independent bookstore. (If you order through Amazon or B&N, there are no letters inside). As well, since the protagonist of my book, a bookstore owner, handwrites uplifting letters that she slips inside books, I wanted…
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On the Eve of My Son’s College Graduation…
Well, the day has come. Our first-born child, Matthew, will be graduating from college tomorrow, so if you’ll permit me, I’d like to reminisce for a few moments. (You can also pass me a tissue…) So many of us are at this point in our lives. They always tell us that time marches on and waits for no one and to enjoy every moment you can. And yet, here we find ourselves embarking on a new chapter in our lives. We have raised kids and are beginning to (or some of you already have) send them off into the world. As I see my friends on Facebook posting graduation photographs,…
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Early This Morning
* ✨EARLY THIS MORNING ✨ I was awakened by the sound of knocking on our house. After looking around and finding nothing, I couldn’t go back to sleep. I’m still not sure what it was. A freak of nature. A bird. A phantom ghost. Who knows. But I got up, made myself a cup of coffee and began to tackle the long, laundry list of items I have to accomplish today..Today is also my daughter’s virtual high school graduation, followed by her actual graduation that will take place on Wednesday. People keep asking my husband and me how we are feeling about “almost” being empty nesters. I tease and say…
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A Parent’s Thoughts on the Eve of High School Graduation & The Ellicott City Flood
Graduation Tomorrow All the standard thoughts apply today. “Time Flies.” “How did this happen?” “How is this even possible that time has marched by so swiftly?” Let me start with advice to young parents: treasure every moment with your children, because I was once like you thinking high school graduation was light years away. Now, it’s tomorrow. I’m so proud of Matt. He’s truly found his way in high school. From being the co-captain of the golf team (County Champs!), to his work as the VP of DECA with his best buddy, Luke, (and a trip to compete in California out of it), to his academic achievements in the Business, Innovation…
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Why You Should Always Follow Your Dreams
The Story Yesterday afternoon, I sat with my parents on their porch overlooking their spotless, inviting pool and their gardens that are in full bloom. It was just the three of us, and we got on the topic of graduation and what kids are studying in college, especially as my own son is off to college as a freshman in the fall. I admitted that I had no idea what I wanted to study when I went to college. I just knew that I was supposed to go to the university and make something of myself. What that exactly was, I had no idea. “Did you have any idea at…
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A Busy Weekend Included Candles, Supper Club, Live Music, and a Graduation Party
*** It’s Monday morning, and I might need two cups of coffee. It was a busy weekend filled with socializing. And it began on Thursday, not Friday, as my friend Elizabeth invited me to dinner and candle making. That’s right. Candle making. We’ve been friends for 33 years, and we figured, why not? Let’s make some candles. We’ve done a hell of a lot of other things together, so why not add this to the list? (She says she’s now making a bucket list for us to do the next 33 years of our friendship…this will be interesting). Candles Off Main in Annapolis offers workshops on candle making, and it’s…
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For Graduates: There is Always A Place For You
* * * At college and university graduations across the country, ceremonies will be chock full of great quotes, wonderful inspirational sentiments, and often excerpts of poetry. Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken,” is a popular favorite—and an amazing poem. However, for my graduates who are about to enter the working world or continue on to graduate school, this little poem has always been one of my favorites by Anne Campbell. I share it with you now as I wish you well, hope you have wonderful successes and happiness ahead of you, and cherish the times we shared at Stevenson. Remember: there is always a place for you. There…
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Thoughts for Friday
As students are about to graduate and the holiday spirit is upon us, I found this inspirational and a good reminder of what this time of year is all about. Happy Friday, everyone.
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My Speech to Graduates: Stevenson University
*** I had the great honor of being tonight’s faculty speaker at Stevenson University’s Baccalaureate ceremony, which is scheduled only a few days before graduation. I was selected by the senior class, and I can’t tell you how that made me feel warm and fuzzy. We gathered tonight in the Greenspring gym…it looked so beautiful in there. I was touched by the graduates sitting in the front row, and I tried my best to talk directly to them. Andy Gepert was the student speaker, and Ellen Roskes was the celebrant. To be completely honest, I’m on cloud nine. Despite having the jitters before I spoke (the waiting can get to…
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Guest Blogger-Amanda Gingery Hostalka: An Inspirational Speech to Graduates
The following speech has been generously made available to Steph’s Scribe by Stevenson University’s Professor of Art, Ms. Amanda Gingery Hostalka. Professor Hostalka gave this speech at Stevenson’s Baccalaureate Ceremonies on May 10, 2011, where she served as the celebrant for the occasion just three days prior to graduation. Her words were moving and inspirational, and at my request, she allowed me to publish her speech so that we can take it in one more time (for those of us who heard it) and share it with others who did not have the wonderful opportunity to do so. Therefore, I present our first guest blogger, Amanda Gingery Hostalka, and her…
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Letting Go.
Today, I hugged my students goodbye at the close of graduation ceremonies. It is not always easy. As a professor, I get attached to the students, especially those that I spend a lot of time with in classes, work together with through the public relations club, or collaborate on other events and projects that take place over the course of the semester. We spend a lot of time together. I will miss their smiling faces they wear, even as I layer on the writing projects and advertising pitches. I shouldn’t feel melancholy as I watch my students leave the nest, because, after all, it’s my job to prepare them to…
