ON RETREAT IN GLOBE, ARIZONA

 

       I spent the weekend in Globe at a fantastic retreat for women put on by the Tapestry of Hope Ministry www.tapestry-of-hope.org. It was sunny as we left Tucson on Friday. Saturday we woke to rain then snow then cold weather all day, but most attendees were well bundled. Of course, we had to enjoy goodies all day long and homemade macaroni and cheese with fried chicken. Desserts, snacks, and varieties of beverages spoiled us. Ramona Ortiz was our most gracious host. Sunday on the way home was absolutely gorgeous skies of bright blue and numerous white clouds. Delightful.

       Fr. Joe Rodrigues, www.jrodrigues@salvatorians.com of Tucson and Milwaukee gave the most in-depth talk on getting life together and healing from wounds of the past. Singing songs from six CDs he is on, helped get the message across.  In the bible are 1200 words that mean hear or listen. We need to listen more to our children and coworkers. Listen with your heart and speak with love.

        Fr. Joe said elderly people have several regrets. They wish they had not worked so much. They wish they had the courage to express themselves. They wish they had stayed in touch with friends. They wish they had let themselves be happier. Where are you in these stages? What do you have to change and let go of?

        When my daughter, Beth Carrillo, read that on Facebook, she commented,  "I have little regrets, as I have a wonderful mother who taught me to cherish friends, family and relationships. I have had to let go not being accepted for who I am and understanding that it is ok to do so. Even from those closest to me." I commented back that she has been brought up well. I wish more people were.

 

        Fr. Joe also let me read one of my new poems called "Beautify Yourself". It went along with a Teapot story he told. I hope to put it here this week. Watch for it!

PLACES IN TUCSON SHOWING MY BOOK, SMALL WHITE HEARTS

Many new places are going to show my new book, Small White Hearts. That is so exciting.

Most Holy Trinity Church in Tucson has allowed me to have a table after all services on Saturday, July 21, and Sunday, July 22. I will have a chance to visit with people I haven't seen for a while.

My daughters Suzanne Morrison and Beth Carrillo will be helping me out.  They have been excellent cheerleaders. They will also be helping me out when I am at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Tucson on August 4 and 5.

The third place I will be is at Sacred Heart Church in Tucson on August 11 and 12. Also on the 11th, I will be at Mostly Books, 6208 E. Speedway Blvd, Tucson, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at a signing table. Everyone is welcome to all events and encouraged to bring a friend.

On the last blog, I shared that my 96-year-old Aunt Elsie Santos from Taunton, MA, was greatly enjoying my book. Now there are 3 more 90-year-olds reading Sweet White Hearts. The youngest reader is my 16 year-old granddaughter.

How wonderful to see such a wide range of interest. The Lord said this is to spread to all corners of the world.www.smallwhitehearts.com

ACCEPTED AS A BUSINESS

Great stuff happened this week! I was approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission for Small White Hearts as a business. The next step is to get this advertised in the newspaper three times. I did that this morning and should hear back from them soon.

There are so many little steps to put all this together. My daughters, Suzanne Morrison, and Beth Carillo came over for lunch on Saturday and helped me with a few more steps. The new bookmarks came in from Guy Rovella our printer. He made them from the material of the book and put the Small White Hearts love letter on the back. They are really beautiful.

I have had some wonderful compliments from different people. Frances and Jim said: The poems give us so much to stop and reflect on what is important in our lives.

Ana said: I love the Prayer Corner and how you taught me to set it up. I have already begun to arrange mine.