Covers say a lot about a book and are designed to draw a reader in without a word. When first discussing a cover design with my publisher I was delighted when she shared her vision. She understood the story and I knew her idea represented more than a marketing tool.

The little girl on the front cover gives you a glimpse of Jonica. While I write about her as an adult in this novel, I know as a little girl, puddle-jumping was fun for her – a way of expressing her joy after the sun chased away a cleansing rain. She is also the picture Jonica carries in her heart of the little girl she never had. A child who, like her mother would have found pleasure in dancing in the rain. This pixie-girl lives only in her dreams.

The little boy on the back cover has a dual representation as well. He is the little one Staci aborted and the boy named Jonathan she later gave birth to – her nightmare and her dream come true. Eventually, like his mother, this little boy will learn to let the rain race down his cheeks and see the promise in the rainbow. He will puddle-jump with the best of them . . . usually Jonica. But, that’s part of another story.

As the author, these little ones also reveal a bit of my heart. I can’t resist puddles, love walking in the rain, and rainbows thrill my soul.

 

 

The presidential race was suddenly energized when John McCain announced the name of his running mate, Sarah Palin. Since then the Democrats have unleashed an attack I can only hope will reveal the instablility of that party.

Ms. Palin has been attacked for having a Down Syndrome child...one blogger implied the right prenatal care might have prevented her child's circumstances. I have two DS children in my life - both of their mothers received the best prenatal care available. I wonder why these folks have chosen to spread lies instead of researching the truth about DS? Slandering a tiny baby demeans not the child or it's mother but the authors of this trash. It also reveals their desperation to beat the McCain/Palin ticket by whatever means available.Another blogger accused her of lying about the baby to cover for her teenage daughter. Where do these vultures come up with these lies?

Honest abortion statistics are difficult to come by and complicated by the ways the information is obtained and later organized and presented.The most comprehensive numbers seem to be provided by Gutmacher. (www.gutmacher.org) This is the agency providing statistics for Planned Parenthood. Many believe this partnership and the numbers reported should be questioned. I agree. They are on the same side of the issue so this could involve a conflict of interest.The unsettling issue I have with Gutmacher is their use of language that attempts to convince the reader abortion is common, safe, and acceptable – even excepted or should be. They are proud of their association with PP and biased heavily in favor of abortion on demand.

My last post received an interesting comment calling John McCain a "frog boiler." You can read the author's explanation of the frog in water allegory.

I've often used this same illustration about other topics - abortion included. When abortion was legalized, none of the conservatives at the time thought it was even a remote possibility . The truth blind-sided them. They thought they sat in comfortable waters when the reality was the water was starting to boil and they continued to assume they were safe.

The Voting Dilemma

If I listen to the media, pro-life advocates have no viable choices in the upcoming elections. Senator Obama is adamantly pro-choice and it’s been said Senator McCain is less than pro-life.

Some Republicans are considering not voting for president because John McCain isn’t pro-life or Christian enough. I wonder if they realize a non-vote for Senator McCain is in effect a vote for Senator Obama?

Here are some of things I must consider as a pro-life woman…

In a court of law, testimonies are vital to a trial. When it comes to the truth about abortion, it is the testifiers voices that impact us the most.

I’ve had the privilege of reading many women’s stories of their abortion experiences and have had the great joy of hearing some of them in person. Great joy? Yes. When a woman knows she can tell me her story and my heart will only express love – well, that’s a great joy! That kind of trust is precious.

A LOVE LETTER TO MY NIECES & NEPHEWS

I married your Uncle Jonathan when we were 19. We loved God and each other. Our day was beautiful. I got the dress of my dreams, family & friends came,and I went home with my husband to be his wife.

We’d purchased a little house the month before we got married. Instead of a honeymoon, we settled in together. For the first time, I made a bed for 2 and washed a man’s clothes. I learned to cook in the crock pot – we received 3 as wedding gifts!

Almost right away, we decided we wanted children. We figured things would progress the same way they had for our parents.