This is my first blog. Yes, it is The First. So here goes….
My daughter recently got engaged. We’re planning a June wedding. In spite of my husband’s encouragement not to panic, I have a lot on my mind.
Like other moms, I could remember every story I had read to my daughter, every box of macaroni and cheese I'd prepared ad nauseam when she was so sick with chemotherapy (because that's all I could get her to eat). Fighting over practicing the piano. Untying Mrs. Beasley after my daughter’s Elder Brother had tied and gagged the doll. Trying to teach my daughter to clean her room and do chores so she grew up with a good work ethic. (I say "trying" because admittedly tidiness is not my daughter's strong suit, although she does work hard.) Teaching her to love God, family and country. (She got all of that, thank goodness.)
But as I raised this sweet little girl into womanhood, something annoying happened. Other than our family and religion, we had very little in common. Our taste in clothing is completely opposite. Our choice in her friends differs substantially. Our ideas on how things should be done sits on two complete ends of the spectrum.
Enter the wedding planning stage. In spite of the grand hopes and dreams I know my girl has for her special day, my husband and I gave her a reasonable budget we can afford. Gasp! But other things haven't been so hard. I learned we aren't so different after all. This epiphany came to me when I went into the floral shop yesterday where my daughter has already chosen the flowers she wants for her bridal bouquet. Blue Dendrobium orchids, white roses and white lilies. (Her colors are periwinkle and a light turquoise and I thought they’d be horrible together.) But then I saw the orchids. They are stunning! And seeing what she had chosen made me cry. Because they were beautiful like her. I looked at the person I had raised to be a good, loving woman and realized I had succeeded. And that was the greatest compliment she could ever pay me. Nothing could be greater than that, except my unconditional love for her.
That said, I have a new series coming out soon with the first book titled THE FOREST RANGER'S PROMISE available May 2011 and the second book titled THE FOREST RANGER'S HUSBAND available November 2011. I think you can guess what the series is about. For more information, check out my website at www.LeighBale.com Enjoy! :)
Posts
Leigh,
ReplyDeleteWelcome, welcome, welcome!!! I have a feeling that you'll fit in perfectly and be a wonderful contribution to the blog : )
This was such a beautiful post. Those flowers are so pretty!!
I just wanted to welcome you to the group and I so look forward to reading more of your posts!!
Hannah
Welcome, Leigh, we're so glad you've joined us!
ReplyDeleteAnd, what a hoot. I had a Mrs. Beasley doll.
The wedding flowers sound perfect.
Hi Leigh:
ReplyDeleteOh my, if you are going to cry over flowers in a florist shop, how do you expect to survive the wedding? With such powerful emotions, it’s a good thing you’re a romance writer!
I love a June wedding but no one in my family has ever had one. Everything is always booked solid! So good for you!
I just love national park stories. I’ve read all of Nevada Barr’s mystery books which always take place in a national park. Where do your books take place? I’m very interested!
Vince
Leigh, Mothers and Daughters-SIGH. I'm glad you have a moment of connection. But I too often ask my dh, "Who raised these children? It couldn't have been us!"
ReplyDeleteHey, Hannah, that's an interesting photo. Are you doing historical research? And have you switched over to my new blog addy http://booksbylyncote.com/SWBS ?
ReplyDeleteWelcome Leigh. Great post and it is a joy to see your daughter get married and realize how blessed you are that all that work you poured into your daughter has resulted in a beautiful, graceful woman.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, I'm not there yet, but just thinking about my daughters wedding day makes me a little teary eyed. How wonderful to feel that your hard work of parenting is being rewarded.
ReplyDeleteHey Lyn!
ReplyDeleteActually no I'm not lol...it was for the party at Seekerville, had to dress appropriately too ; ) And I just haven't changed it still lol.
And no!I'll have to get right on that, I must've missed that you moved. Hmmmm...I knew I hadn't seen anything from you lately!
Hannah
I love June weddings, probably because that's my anniversary! My mom and I grow closer, and more alike, as we get older. You just never know!
ReplyDeleteLeigh, Welcome. I love weddings. I helped plan my daughter's weddings because they both got married on the beach a couple of miles from our home.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be so slow in responding to everyone...I just got home from work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a warm welcome from everyone!
Vince, the first Forest Ranger book titled THE FOREST RANGER'S PROMISE takes place in Wyoming because I needed a grizzly bear in that story and deals with sheep ranchers and grazing permittees. The second book, THE FOREST RANGER'S HUSBAND, takes place in Nevada and deals with hotshot wildfire fighters. Both stories have some great action-packed scenes! Enjoy!
Sorry to be so slow in responding to everyone...I just got home from work. Thanks for such a warm welcome!
ReplyDeleteVince, the first Forest Ranger book titled THE FOREST RANGER'S PROMISE takes place in Wyoming because I needed a grizzly bear in the story. It deals with sheep ranchers and grazing permittees. The second book, THE FOREST RANGER'S HUSBAND, takes place in Nevada and deals with hotshot wildfire fighters. Both stories have some great action-packed scenes! Enjoy!
Leigh, welcome!! So glad you joined us on the blog.
ReplyDeleteI saw your daughter's flowers on Facebook. They're amazing! Congrats on the upcoming wedding!
I had a Mrs. Beasley doll too!! LOL
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the upcoming wedding, Leigh. I, too, married off our daughter not long ago. Your blog brought back some fine memories. She chose silk flowers and together we made some beautiful arrangments, including her bouquet. What a wonderful time we had.
ReplyDeleteGood job or your first blog, too.