The Mysterious Mug

July 28, 2018 by still a dreamer

This morning when I went out to the mailbox to retrieve my mail, I spied something at my front door. It was sitting quite nicely in front of my little children’s bench which holds a flower box filled with overflowing pink and white Impatiens. What could that be? I thought. I didn’t order anything. And because I was feeling a tad under the weather, I immediately wondered if it was a misdelivery, something from a company I didn’t order, etc. Whatever it was, it did get my curiosity going.

I brought it inside and looked at the label. Sure enough, it was addressed to me, and from a company I’d never heard of. More and more curious. I opened it up to find no note or identifying information, but when I brought out the one item inside, it brought tears to my eyes.

Someone had sent me one of the most meaningful and thoughtful gifts I could receive at this moment in time. Something that affirms my strength as a woman and as a writer, from someone who obviously knows the challenges I’ve faced over the last 5 or so years.

We all have our challenges; there is no doubt about that. I was joyfully on my journey of writing and illustrating children’s books, and had been for a while. It was a long-awaited return after I had studied under the renowned children’s book author and illustrator Uri Shulevitz at the New School in NY so many years ago. And then things happened. It doesn’t really matter what they were, but they had the effect of disrupting many aspects of my life, among them my children’s book journey. This was my dream. And although it had to sit on the sidelines for a while, it never sat alone. I did everything I could, however tiny, to keep it alive even though it could hardly take my full attention.

As time passed and I worked to regain my balance in all aspects of my life, I have – little by little – returned to my writing for children, to my dream of being published. I don’t have the luxury of writing full time, as most writers do not, but more and more, it is in my thoughts and in my daily plans. I know I’m back on track – maybe not sprinting yet, but I am out there and picking up speed.

And whoever sent me this mug knows that, and I thank you deeply for acknowledging it. I will find you and I will thank you.

For the rest of you women writers out there, especially those who face challenges and proceed in spite of them, tomorrow morning I am going to toast you all with my first cup of coffee in this mug. Cheers to you and your writing dreams.

Posted in Art, Authors, Books, Children's Books, Home Stuff, Inspiration, Novels, Reflections | Tagged anonymous, being published, children's books, coffee mug, life challenges, mug, mysterious package, Mystery, strong women, surprise, woman writer, writer, writing | 19 Comments

19 Responses

on July 28, 2018 at 4:25 pm | Reply lisakunk

What a lovely surprise. I get it. Life’s little interruptions are major blocks to crawl over at times. I’m glad you’re feeling encouraged. I hope it continues.

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- on July 28, 2018 at 6:02 pm | Reply still a dreamer
  
  Thanks so much, Lisa, and for stopping by – nice to see you!
  
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  - on July 28, 2018 at 7:29 pm | Reply lisakunk
    
    Thanks. You too. I’d like to do so more often. 😊
    
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    - on July 29, 2018 at 9:18 am | Reply still a dreamer
      
      I’ll see you here, then, and at your “house”! 🙂
      
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on July 28, 2018 at 6:11 pm | Reply still a dreamer

Via e-mail: Wow, that is the most awesome mug ever. Never in my travels have I ever seen anything like it. I am honored to be one of those women who you will toast tomorrow morning :-). Pat

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- on July 28, 2018 at 6:13 pm | Reply still a dreamer
  
  We will clink our coffee mugs in inspiration!! Cheers, Jeanne
  
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on July 29, 2018 at 10:37 am | Reply Andrea Stephenson

What a wonderful, appropriate gift and a lovely surprise – cheers to you Jeanne 🙂

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- on July 30, 2018 at 9:13 am | Reply still a dreamer
  
  Not to mention it couldn’t have come at a better time than the Saturday it arrived. Thanks, Andrea, and you are one of the people I toasted! 🙂
  
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on July 30, 2018 at 2:00 am | Reply Lavinia Ross

That is a lovely surprise gift, Jeanne! What a wonderful person to have sent that to you!

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- on July 30, 2018 at 9:12 am | Reply still a dreamer
  
  I couldn’t agree more – she is a lovely, wonderful person, indeed.
  
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on August 3, 2018 at 8:53 am | Reply Debbie Beyfuss

So glad you are enjoying your mug!! I saw it and immediately said “perfect for Jeanne”. Always so happy when I find a gift that suits someone so well! Cheers to you my friend!

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- on August 3, 2018 at 9:16 am | Reply still a dreamer
  
  Deb, you got here before me! I was going to send you the link. 🙂 Well, thank you again, Ms.Not-So-Mystery-Now. I am enjoying my coffee in it as I write. Cheers to you, always.
  
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on August 10, 2018 at 4:36 pm | Reply Bespoke Traveler

Your persistence is so encouraging. Thank you. I especially love how you describe your effort: “I did everything I could, however tiny, to keep it alive even though it could hardly take my full attention.” The “however tiny,” will be my motivation.

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- on August 10, 2018 at 6:55 pm | Reply still a dreamer
  
  Thanks so much for acknowledging and appreciating my persistence. I have a dear friend who has another thought along the line of “however tiny” and I always keep it in mind, as well. She says, “Something is better than nothing.” Good one, right? Take care.
  
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on September 11, 2018 at 7:47 am | Reply roughwighting

THAT IS AN AMAZING FABULOUS MUG! Oh, if you ever find out who sent it to you (oh, I see above, Debbie), and where others can buy one, let me know. I’d like to get some for some special writers in my life, and truth be told, for myself. 🙂

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- on September 11, 2018 at 10:00 am | Reply still a dreamer
  
  Hi Pam, yes I finally found out, as you saw, that it was my friend Debbie. Her daughter is a writer, too, and Deb tells me she’s always looking for inspirational things for Amanda. When I get a chance, I’ll ask where she got the mug. It was such a sweet thought on her part.
  
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  - on September 13, 2018 at 1:52 pm | Reply roughwighting
    
    Such a perfect surprise. So glad you wrote about it! xo
    
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on September 11, 2018 at 11:49 am | Reply Cynthia Reyes

I’m so very glad someone did this for you and at a time when it mattered even more. Two blogger friends have sent me surprise packages — one of them you know well — and it did me a world of good. Sending you big hugs, dear girl, and keep on doing!

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- on September 11, 2018 at 1:26 pm | Reply still a dreamer
  
  Thank you, Cynthia. Hugs and support are much appreciated – in writing and in life, as you know.Yes, that was a very well-timed surprise, indeed.
  
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