Birthday wishes

About a year ago, I was speaking to an acquaintance about something I'd wished I'd always done.

I always wanted to write to Madeline L'Engle after reading her book A Circle of Quiet because I wanted to tell her how much it meant to me. Because of this book, I made the decision to go to college after the birth of my first daughter. It was frightening for me to take this step, because I was not fond of the idea of being a 22 year old freshman, but somehow I gathered up enough strength to do so by reading and re-reading the words in that book.

My new friend wanted to know why if I had the courage to go to college, why I never had the courage to write to the person that had so inspired me.

I was afraid that if I wrote to her she would think I was some odd duck or a crazy fan. But Madeline was much more than a famous person that I looked up to, she was through her writing - a much needed mentor to me at that pivotal point in my life.

This person smiled at me and said, " You should have written that letter, because I know for a fact that she would have written back to you."

I was shocked by her response, and asked her "Why, how could you know she would have?"

"I know, because I knew Madeline personally. She wrote to most all of those who wrote to her. I think she would have really liked you too."

It was an amazing conversation to have and one I'd never anticipated. In that talk, it was like Madeline winked at me in approval. I believe that she would have written to me and that she just may have liked me as well.

So on this day, January 6th 2010 of my 39th birthday, I would like to challenge you to not be afraid to do that thing you've always wanted or dreamed of doing. It is such an important thing - going after the life giving and dream making things in life.

Write that letter, call that friend and never, never let fear keep you from making that connection that you were meant to make. Do it now before that moment has to take a very curvy road to make contact.

Madeline L'Engle was born in 1918 and passed away September of 2007 - I graduated from college in June of 2007.

Thank you Madeline for helping me reach for my dreams and making it to the finish line.

To read her obituary click here.