After two years of anticipation, it's finally The Secret Psychic's book birthday! But the story of this book began much longer ago and there are all kinds of emotions that come with today's celebration.
I've shared before how there have been many signs along the way that my older sister, Amanda, has had a hand in the creation of this book. She passed away almost ten years ago and has been whispering her messages from the other side ever since. Learning to recognize and embrace the natural occurrence of spirit communication is a big part of what the book is about, and as if to prove the point I could feel her working with me throughout the entire process. Extra synchronistic events acted as exclamations along the way, getting her point across.
One example of this includes the cover. During production the publisher came to me asking if they might use some of my artwork for the design. This was something I had absolutely not anticipated, as I know use of author-provided imagery can sometimes get complicated, so is often avoided. Because of this it wasn't a direction I had even considered they might go with. In my surprised stupor, I didn't meaningfully think things through, and I just sent all the imagery that I had. Yet, they ended up choosing the one painting that was pivotal to a key story that I tell in the book.
As soon as they shared their decision I remembered the painting's significance (which is explained more in the book). Looking at it through this new lens, her level of inclusion was just incredible. Example: that green fabric at the top of the cover? That's material I pulled from her sewing stash. It just blows my mind that I can see her symbolically right there like a hidden signature behind my own name.
Simultaneously, I also remembered the fact that my sister used to always say that one day we would write a book together and it would include my artwork. When this realization hit I was mouth-hanging-open shocked. I'm still left in awe.
Another example of feeling as though Amanda has been orchestrating things behind the scenes came as I was actively writing the book. Years before, after her death, I had been writing what I thought would result in a memoir. Story after story of her and my shared experience unfolded on the page, but eventually I set that work aside, assuming it was something that had been an exercise in processing my own grief and spiritual experience. But as I was writing The Secret Psychic, in certain instances I would suddenly remember select stories that I had previously written down, realizing they would be excellent examples of what I was sharing about in this new work. As each story fell into place, feelings of joy and closure at finally being able to share her experience and these amazing stories were felt as things she was imparting to me.
And yet another example is the significance of this particular day. Exactly one decade ago today, I saw my sister alive and smiling in this world for the last time. Several years ago I started thinking of what I could even begin to do to try to honor her at this ten year mark. I had been formulating ideas for putting together a gallery show of the various paintings I'd done in remembrance and celebration of her over the years, but when COVID hit those ideas seemed dashed.
To be able to present this book (that is so much of me and so much of my sister put together) today is better than any other tribute to her that I could have imagined.
I know these thoughts of loss can easily get caught up in grief. While it's important to acknowledge and process those emotions, today is really so much of a celebration. I know that's what Amanda would have wanted us to focus on, and she would be (is!) incredibly excited about this achievement. To remember that, here is a video that was shot exactly ten years ago (me at bottom middle, Amanda at top right corner, my dog Jasper - who is also mentioned in the book - front and center). As it so happens, it is a birthday video, which is crazily appropriate. It pops up in my social media every year, and I am grateful for it. I have never laughed so hard in my life and will always remember literally rolling on the floor next to her, with tears streaming down our faces, because life in that moment was simple, a celebration, and so absolutely fantastic.
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*For more about the book and how to order click here.
*Launch event to come - Given the above explanation, today is more of a quiet celebration. I will be sharing details for an official virtual launch party where we can all come together to celebrate in the coming weeks. More to come soon!
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