As many of you know, for ten days our lives were turned upside down and inside out, with Bev in the hospital and the experts not knowing exactly what was wrong with her. It’s a humbling and helpless feeling to have a loved one hurting and not be able to make it all better for them.
I’m happy to report she is once again home and our lives are returning to some normalcy. We still don’t know what caused the infection in her intestine. All we know is the antibiotics did their job and she is once again fine.
I kept everyone up-to-date on Facebook and quite frankly, I was blown away by the flood of well-wishes and prayers as the ordeal unfolded. There are times when I am, well, a cynical bastard. I’ve just seen too much pain and hatred and meanness during my lifetime, and during my darker moments I have very little hope for mankind. But then something like this comes along, and relative strangers reach out and give us strength when we most need it. Not that any of you are strangers, but I think you know what I mean. We have never met in person and yet you stopped what you were doing to reach out to me when I needed you.
So thank you! I have nothing else to give you but those two simple words, but thank you!
And Bev thanks you!
Now please, can we get back to normal?
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.” Misty Copeland
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
In my “Mailbag” series on HubPages, there was a question last week about family members not supporting their writer/family member, and I’m still a bit surprised by the number of us out there who share that commonality. For whatever reason, many of our family members don’t take the time to read our articles and books. They show support in other ways, but actually reading our work seems to be beyond their capabilities.
It no longer really bothers me. I still find it curious, but I’m not bothered by it.
And one of the reasons I can toss it aside is the fact that so many writers loyally support me, complete strangers who have climbed about my wagon and been with me through every article and every book. I find that amazing and encouraging and uplifting.
I wish I had the money to buy all of the books that all of my writer friends have written, but I don’t. What I can do, though, is make every effort to read their articles and blogs, and I am pretty good about doing that. And I will always have room in my blog should they want to guest blog on it, and I try to mention a fellow writer from time to time…..
So, the point being, make an effort to support your peers. In some way, reach out and give them a boost. We all need it. We all need each other!
SHOUT OUT
A shout out to my young and talented friend Kailey. You can find her on HP under the name “Social Thoughts,” and that name perfectly describes her articles. This is a no-nonsense writer who cares deeply about her causes. She is at times crude, at times painfully blunt, but she is always honest and passionate, and I respect those traits greatly.
CATCH YOU DOWN THE ROAD
I hope this week is filled with a dazzling display of craftsmanship by you all. The world needs you to spread your wings and fly.
Bill
#greatestunknownauthor
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
What can I say, but never more happy to see your blog update today and know for sure that Bev is on the mend. I have seen on Facebook that she was doing better, but still so nice to see it here, too. Thanks for the update and just for being you always! Happy Tuesday now, Bill 🙂
Aw, Janine, thank you for caring so much. It means a great deal to me, my friend.
I am so glad that Bev is better and that you are finding some peace in all this–Thank you for all you do to keep us together as a community–you are the glue
That is so kind of you, Audrey. Thank you!
I am so happy to hear that all is well in your world, Bill!
It is indeed, Deb. Thank you my friend.
So good to know that Bev is getting better, home and in good spirits. Now, enough of this hospital visiting!
True words, Mike. It sure feels good to be writing again. Thanks a bunch.
I am happy to see and hear you and Bev are doing well. Maybe it was too many quail eggs–LOL. Take care friends.
Maybe it was, Greg. LOL I won’t rule it out next time.
Bill – I just learned about the crisis in your life “after the fact,” but I’m so glad Bev’s medical issue was resolved. Illness can be frightening, especially when there’s a question about its cause and it happens to someone you love. It’s great news that she is recovering, and things are getting back to normal for the two of you.
Jaye
Thank you Jaye! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by….friends like you are pretty special.
Bill
So glad to hear Be is doing better and is back from the hospital. I’ll still be praying for you folks as she recovers and you both get back to normal.
I really enjoyed this article and will keep trying to support in as many ways as I can.
Lawrence
Thank you, Lawrence, for the well-wishes and prayers. I do believe she is on the road to recovery.
bill
Really glad Bev is okay and getting better. Was thinking about you all so much! If I’d lived closer, I would have brought you a casserole. Hehe.
Hope you’re well, Big Bro. Whew…still working on novels, but dang…went back to the ol’ grind and haven’t had a ton of extra time. Funny how that works. 😉
You know something that makes me feel grateful? You, Big Bro. I hope you continue to write and inspire for years to come.
Cheers,
CC
Lil Sis, that is so kind of you. Thank you and I’m proud to call you my lil Sis. Like most sisters, you’ve taught your big bro quite a few lessons about life.
“Surviving hurricane with joining forces.” Thank God, Bev is fine. Thank you my friend for promptly informing of the event “testing our loyalty.” Really? We are family of strangers connected by a ribbon of love. Arent we?
Michael my friend, that is the perfect line you just shared…a family of strangers connected by a ribbon of love. Beautiful….simply beautiful!
Cynical is not a word I would associate with you but I get what you’re saying. Look at it this way. Those shining moments of kindness mean so much more when they’re backlit by, what was it you said, pain, hatred and meaness. We can’t appreciate one without the other to contrast it.
Again, I’m glad to hear Bev’s on the mend. I bet you’re appreciating your day-to-day a bit more now that you’ve had that hiccup.
Catch you later, Bill 🙂
I am so glad that Bev is out of the hospital, recovering nicely. Even though we have never met, it feels like we are lifelong friends anyway.
And, it is strange, isn’t it? I mean… none of my family and close friends read anything I write. Case in point, I hand delivered one of my little paperback books to a close family member who I thought would be excited to read it and this person simply tossed the book on the kitchen table and said, “I’ll get to it when I can.” What? It kind of hurt for a moment. Then, I remember all the people across international lines (people like you) who have read just about everything I’ve written. Oh well, it is good to be in good company with you and others who support and uplift fellow writers.
Bill, you’re a wonderful man who takes excellent care of your friends and family. Continue to take good care of Bev. I pray for her continued and full recovery.
Marlene, honestly, I’ll never understand the lack of caring we writers receive from family and friends…it’s downright bizarre, my friend.
Thank God we have each other or we’d all go insane. LOL
Blessings to you. I hope you are feeling better and all is well in your world.
Thank you for the well-wishes, Bill. I am managing pain with medication until more scheduled tests can be done. Other than that, all is well. I’m just taking it easy these days.
So glad you and Bev are returning to your normalcy of lifestyle. It is so difficult to face each day when the one you love is not up to their best in health. Thank God for a love that helps us to remain strong. You two have what it takes to make it through these storms. Your view on family not supporting one’s writing speaks truth. They may not always be aware of what we write but they do support us (a few of them anyways).
Thank you for the kind words, Dee! It’s an interesting thing about family and support of our writing. I don’t have an explanation for it…wish I did.
Oh yay! I’m so glad to hear that Bev is home again and doing well. 🙂 And of course there would be that amount of outpouring support Bill – you are a wonderful human being.
That quote about being fearless… how strange, I just put one up on instagram about being fearless. I think that’s gotta be a sign.
Hope you have a super weekend. We’ve taken today off to enjoy some springtime weather.
Mel, we are about to get a major heatwave for our part of the country. I’m not looking forward to it at all. It’s time to catch up on a lot of indoor activities for the next three days.
Thank you for being such a good friend. Have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you
You are very welcome, Eric, and I thank you in return.
I’m so glad Bev’s better and at home, Bill. Did the doctors do a colonoscopy on her? My doctor wants me to have one, but I’m not taking her advice. I don’t have poop problems and my 78 year old parents are healthier than most younger people I know and have never had one either.
In the end, Sha (pun intended) they did not do a colonoscopy, and Bev is very grateful. I’ve had one and will never dot it again, so I understand your reluctance.
I’m afraid I’m not always as conscientious as you about reading those I follow on line, so this is the first I’ve heard about Bev’s illness. I am very pleased to read now that things are returning to normal for you, but I’m also quite pleased to learn that your faith in humanity has been restored a little. And it is, always, a matter of faith.
Bless you and Bev and take care.
Jo
Thank you Jo! All is well in our little corner of the world…for now, of course. 🙂 Blessings to you always!