If you know a Veteran, tell them “Thanks!”  We take everyday freedom for granted.  Having recently  read about some of the atrocities in WWII, I’m grateful for those who put their lives on the line so we can enjoy the freedom we have today.

Thank you to all those who have served!

Recently, my niece asked about my dad who served in WWII and the Korean Conflict.  It opened up a flood of memories about him.  He has been gone, now for over two years so the memories are very dear.  He and his 5 other brothers believed in serving our country.  Remember them this Veteran’s Day!

A Paper Hug for Dad — WWII and Korean Conflict Veteran.

You will never be forgotten!

My Dad was a veteran of WWII and the Korean conflict but rarely talked about his experiences. But once my two sons joined the army and served in Iraq, both at the same time, Dad seemed to find comradeship with them. I enjoyed listening to them compare notes — the differences then and now. I am proud of them and their willingness to serve so that I can enjoy the freedoms that I have today.

This month is a good time to remember those who have and are serving in the military. A special “hug” to all of you!

Writing children’s books such as The Celiac Kid, A Paper Hug and Operation: Celebration, didn’t just happen.  I have loved to write since I was 10 years old.  My dad gave me a desk calendar — one of those that has 2 holes and one side has times of the day for appointments and the other side for notes.  It was a Christmas gift and I thought it was wonderful!  That very night I started writing about my day — events and feelings.  In Junior High School, we had a unit on poetry.  I loved it so I started writing little poems in this calendar, also.  I was also one of the very few who loved diagramming sentences.  I love how our English language is put together.  Then we learned how a good paper is written and, again, I loved the process.   Whenever my kids needed to write a paper, I just get a thrill of excitement to help them.  I have loved teaching them how to put together a great paper and am so proud when they receive the “A” on their papers!  Write something?  I can hardly wait!!!

It’s a new year, hooray! We have a lot of new things planned for this year. Hopefully (fingers crossed), we can accomplish most of them. Some of the things we are looking forward to are: printing/publishing a new children’s book, possibly a 3rd printing of A Paper Hug, new card collections and even a revamp of our store. To be honest, the last one scares me the most, but it needs to be done! So, stay tuned for more info and updates about the new things we’re going to do this year!

If you love our blog, and we hope you do, you can now put our button on your blog. Hooray!

Here’s what it looks like:

and here’s the code to add it to yours:

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Looking for ideas to honor someone this Memorial Day? Make a paper hug!!! A picture speaks a thousand words.

I never saw Grandpa face to face, you see he died just before I was born.  He lived a hero’s life — he died so I could live free.  He fought for freedom in Germany and France.  He waded through river banks and slept in a cold abandoned shed.  He spent time in a make-shift hospital healing from a shrapnel wound.  And as he boarded a train with discharge papers in his hand, a gunshot was heard.  With reflexes faster than the bullet, he lunged in front of three other soldiers who all fell to the ground.  They were safe but Grandpa lay there lifeless — he took the bullet for those men.  A letter was found in his pocket addressed to my grandma.  That same letter is with l my grandma always and she reads it over and over.  It says how much he loves her and asks her to tell his story to his grand children so they will know he, too, loves them.  And…”could you hug them for me as often as you hug them.”  So today, Grandpa, on this Memorial Day, as I stand next to your grave, here’s a paper hug from me — I love you, too.