November has been a difficult month. While my book tour continued with its final few stops, my private life was focused on my mother’s failing health, letting her know in myriad ways how much I love her, and saying goodbye. She passed peacefully in the evening after my tour ended.
Some bloggers may wonder why I continued with a book tour when my time with my mother was running out. Honestly, replying to comments only took minutes, and I needed small breaks to gather myself and step outside my growing grief. But there was another reason…
The kindness of this blogging community meant the world to me when I needed it most. Your comments were about a book, yes, but the repeated visits to my tour, the tireless commitment of your time, and your generous support transcended anything so mundane. Though most of us have never met in person, I felt your real-life friendship as if you stood by my side. I’m so grateful.
Now for a little fun
The two-month-long book tour is over. Yay!
You’re probably sick of me and my book, but I needed to take a little more blog space to say thank you (again) to all my hosts, to all the bloggers who took the time to visit the posts, to all the readers who picked up the book, and the kind souls who shared reviews.
I hope that you also found some new blogs to follow and some amazing new books to read! If I’ve stuffed your new year with books, I’ve done my job.
Free Book Trailer
As a thank you for hosting me, I offered to put my 28 hosts’ names in a drawing for a Diana-made book trailer. And the winner of a free book trailer is:
Noelle Granger from Sailing Away
$50 Amazon Gift Card Drawing
Every time a visitor left a comment at one of my tour stops, I recorded their name for a drawing for a $50 Amazon Gift Card. Anyone who commented on multiple posts earned multiple entries.
In total, there were 794 visitors who left 4,133 comments on my hosts’ 28 posts. Phew!
I collected all the names in Excel, snipped them into tiny slips of paper (for two hours), and crumpled them into a jar. For a $50 Amazon gift card, the winner is:
Colleen Chesebro from WordCraft Poetry
***
Congrats to Noelle and Colleen. I’ll be in touch with you both shortly!
Thanks again to everyone in our wonderful village for making this writer’s journey a pure pleasure.
One Final Writing Truth… #1
Myths of the Mirror 
Best
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I am so very sorry for the loss of your mother. What a tender time for you. I’m holding you in my heart. Sending positive, loving energy to your whole family.
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Thanks so much for the kind comment, Ka, and your positive, loving energy means a lot to me. It’s been a difficult November, but I know things will settle down once we get through the holidays. Hugs, my friend. ❤
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Congratulations on the conclusion of so much more than a book tour, but also your time of caregiving, and faithful responses to your adoring community of followers. You been shouldering a heavy burden and you must be feeling so very light, maybe searching for a new anchor. I hope you allow yourself some space and time to celebrate your book, to grieve your loss, to rest up for the next adventure. Wrapping you in love, hugs, C
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Mostly trying to rest, Cheryl. I had covid too heading into November and just didn’t have time to recover fully before other things took precedent. I’ll sign off the blog for the holidays and then return refreshed in January. I might sneak in a spa day. Hehe. Thanks for your kindness. Those hugs are wonderfully welcome.
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❤️ I’m picturing you snipping for two hours. I know you did it, too!
Again, my condolences in regards to your mother’s passing. How is your father doing?
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I was half watching television as I snipped, so it wasn’t too bad. 🙂 My dad is doing okay. He’s alone now, so I’m going there more often. I may have to stop writing for a while, at least for another month or so until things settle down. Thanks for asking, Chelsea. That was kind of you. Hugs.
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Of course.
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So sorry to hear of your loss, Diana. You take care. From all the Fosseway Writing Group xx
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Thanks for the kind comment. It’s been a tough autumn this year and I’m a little tuckered out these days, but looking forward to the holidays. Wishing you and your writing buddies as wonderful holiday season. ❤
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I cannot imagine. I hope you have some relaxing time to process everything and take a break. Take care x
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Sorry about your mother’s passing, Peach. I’m always grateful to hear that children were there for their parents during that time. It would be so hard to go through that alone. Thank God for you.
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Thanks, Betsey. It’s been a hard autumn, but I’m glad I’ve been there for my mom through the years and was able to see her through into her next adventure. I look forward to a peaceful holiday and wish you and yours the same.
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Awwh.
Thank you, Peach.
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Dear Diana,
I understand completely why you had to finish your book tour and obviously so did your beautiful mother.
🌹
” She passed peacefully in the evening after my tour ended.”
These words said it all and she could say goodbye only when she knew her beautiful daughter was done, the way mothers do. If you had not, chances are pretty good she would still be here, hanging on until you saw it through.
That speaks volumes to a mothers love. I have tears running down my face as I type now feeling the love that you two shared.
Although I’ve said it so many times in life and on my blog, “The Length of our life is Love and as we love eternity appears”. I learned this from my dad.
Congratulations on an amazing tour and such a big turn out. I’m pretty sure I didn’t miss one visit and loved meeting so many new amazing writers and people so thanks for connecting us all.
You have more than done your part in sharing our wonderful authors in our community and writing another incredible book that is such a gift!
Blessings of love
💞
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Thank you, Cindy. I love that quote that you learned from your dad. It’s beautiful. The tour changed toward the end, away from books and blogging, to a simple source of kindness and comfort as I felt supported by my community. I didn’t miss a moment with my mom, and for that I’m so grateful. Thanks for the kindness of your comment. Love and hugs. ❤ ❤
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I’m glad Diana.. it really does bring peace when I hear them. That’s so lovely and happy you had that time. Timing is everything. It’s my pleasure.. you’re so welcome! xoxo 💗 🤗
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[…] Gratefulness, Book Tour, and Winners! […]
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Thanks so much for sharing the post. Much appreciated.
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Aw, I wanted the free book trailer! But I’m also willing to pay for one–my new book will be out soon. And I can’t even imagine how difficult the last little while has been for you, but we’re here for you and send much love to you. We will NEVER be sick of you and your books:-)
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Thanks for the kind comment, Suzanne. Things are starting to settle down a little. I’m spending a lot of time with my dad as he adjusts to being alone. 😦
Those trailers are really quite easy to do. It’s just PowerPoint. I’m certain you could do one. It just takes time, which is why I don’t do them often. And I’m glad you’ll never be sick of me. Lol. Thanks, my friend.
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Diana, my heart goes out to you and your family…I’m so glad you were able to spend some precious time with your Mom and that our visits/comments were a lovely distraction and support.
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It was just right, Kim. I didn’t sleep much and would read the wonderful comments from my friends late at night in the dark, or during the day while my brother read poetry to my mom as she slept. We are still finding our way, but I have no regrets. Thank you for your kind comment, my friend. Hugs. ❤
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It’s a pleasure (always!), Diana!
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Diana all the very best for your new book and that you mom too passed over. May her soul rest in peace. Thanks for the lovely and beautiful post.
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Thank you, Kamal, for the visit and comment. It’s much appreciated. ❤
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You are always welcome dear Diana. You are awesome 👍🏽👍🏽
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Thank you for sharing!!.. “Life gives us brief moments with another, but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime, So live that your memories will be part of your happiness.” (Author Unknown)… 🙂
Until we meet again..
May you always walk in the sunshine
May you never want for more
May Irish angels rest their wings
Right beside your front door.
(Irish Saying)
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Thanks for the lovely comment, Larry, and the beautiful sayings. ❤
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