Rock 'n Roll & Romance Novels

“And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced teaching us to breathe. What was frozen through is newly purposed turning all things green…”
Nicole Nordeman lyrics from the song, SEASONS


 
I love springtime in Atlanta, Georgia. I have numerous azalea bushes and dogwood trees on our property that bloom in a variety of vibrant colors every year reminding me that the cold, long days of winter have come to an end. I actually used to enjoy the winter and its starkness; its short days and long nights of quiet. Not so much anymore. I have recently come out of my own “winter” if you will, trapped under the weight of unfinished baggage that I dragged around with me wandering aimlessly in the drab, naked landscape without purpose. A little dramatic, wouldn’t you say?
 
Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best:
“As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation – either react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course.”
 
If you would have told me 4 ½ years ago that I would be a rock ‘n roll backup singer and about to release my first published romance novel in December/2016 I would have looked at you with wide eyes and thought you had gone off the deep end. You see, I was settled back then; content in my little community bubble with my circle of friends and working at my dream job. I could have continued that course for the rest of my life and been happy with it. Rock ‘n roll and romance novels weren’t even a blip on my radar.
 
But…. things change.
 
I lost my dream job. I lost numerous friends. I lost a community of people I was doing life with. Yes, I was devastated. Yes, I was bitter. Yes, I cut off communication with people I thought were lifelong friends that I didn’t believe supported me through this hardship. Depression hit me like a ton of bricks for several years. I sought professional help and a few close friends rallied around me convincing me that I would get through this.
 
Slowly, I began to change…
 
I unexpectedly became a member of an incredible National Tour as a backup singer traveling the world with magnificent talent and being treated like a real rock star! I started to write again – something that I had not had time to focus on for many, many years. I treasured my closest friends and family who were there for me during all of my dramatic angst.
 
I started to thaw…
 
I had to let go of what could have been. I had to let go of that movie reel in my head of how I thought I should have acted and what I wish I would have said differently.
 
I’m not the same person I was before.
 
I don’t believe that time heals all wounds. I have adapted to my loss. I move forward now with fond memories – no more “what ifs” – I’m done. Being a creative person has helped me exponentially in my decision to move forward – to finally embrace my gifts, my age and what I have to offer to the universe. My light has not gone out. It may have only flickered for a while, but it’s shining brightly once again. If you are going through a significant life altering experience I’m not going to tell you that time heals all wounds. Like I said before, I don’t believe that. I would just like to say….
 
It does get better...
 
And who knows? You may find yourself living out a rock ‘n roll fantasy that will probably end up in one of your published books.
 
Happy Easter.
KG
xoxoxo

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