The Summer of Love Book Tour was a whirlwind of a ride.  Due to the book sales, “Ma, Where’s Mommy?” has become a bestseller for Barnes & Noble Press’ Children’s Fiction Categories for:

• Children of Gay Parents (#1)
• Lesbian and Gay Life (#1)
• African American (#3)
• Occupations (#3)
• People, Places, and Culture (#13)
• Family Life (#19)

Across publishing companies on Barnes and Noble, my book is the #17 best-selling children’s book with a focus on civil and human rights! I don’t know who judges these things or how it all really works?  What I do know is once you become a champion, you are always a champion. As a sports fan, I know that once you make it to the Hall of Fame you are then and forever known as a Hall of Famer. So, I believe it’s fair for me to say that “Ma, Where’s Mommy” is now a Barnes and Noble bestseller!

Well, would you look at that?  A few months ago I wrote about the Madness of March.  Specifically how “Ma, Where’s Mommy?” could win against any children’s book in a one-and-done competition.  If you didn’t read it, take a look for more context, but I believe it’s fitting that my “Cinderella story” of a book busted brackets this summer.  To God be the GLORY!  

It is almost like “walking on sunshine,” until life sets in.  In an instant, a doctor changes your whole life.  Imagine waking up on a regular Monday morning, walking into work, and taking half the day off to go to the doctor – only to hear that your life, in an instant, will forever be changed.  To have to process in a moment what you are prepared to do about it.  I have not had a panic attack since AP U.S. History in the 10th grade.  Somehow, this one was different.  It wasn’t 10th-grade me, rocking back and forth in the safety of my closet in my childhood home.  It wasn’t the helplessness I felt of potentially failing a huge major project because everything that could go wrong DID in fact go wrong.  Nope.  It was the uncontrollable laughter, coupled with tears at the mere realization that the life I was building was in fact poached.  I would not call myself a caretaker and yet I have ended up taking care of those around me and have not made it to midlife.  I have no clue what I am doing, but my best seems like steps in the right direction. This is not a plea or a pity party.  This is life.  The life I chose and was born into.  The life that was so so so sweet just three weeks ago.  

I am enduring for every child to see themselves and their family in books.  I am enduring because what I am doing and how I am doing it matters more than I know.  I am enduring because I have no other choice.  

Truth, acceptance, grief, sadness, and exhaustion all come with our life choices.  In that, we must be honest with ourselves about our limits.  Over-committing to things just because we feel like we are obligated stifles our purpose.  I continue to have these freak-out panic attacks.  It’s uncontrollable laughter coupled with soft tears of despair.  My insides continue to grieve and mourn a life lived.  

Every day is a new day.  I am fortunate to get to spend these days with those that I love.  I encourage you to live your truth, whatever it may be.  Live it purposefully and unapologetically.  If you don’t, life has a cruel way of crushing you from your blindside.  A fitting metaphor as we walk into Football season.  

Stay tuned for the Ode to Fall Tour dates and events.  I will be raffling off a few copies of the Barnes and Noble Press Best Selling Children’s Book “Ma, Where’s Mommy?” and the newest edition to the universe “Grace’s Playdate” – set to hit shelves November 2023.  Do not miss your chance to own one or both copies! Cheers!