witter (ˈwɪtə)
vb – (often foll by: on) to chatter or babble pointlessly or at unnecessary length
n – pointless chat; chatterCOLLINS ENGLISH DICTIONARY – COMPLETE AND UNABRIDGED, 12TH EDITION 2014 © HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
writing life updates
Happy May, friends! I can’t believe we’re coming around to that time of year. For most parents, our kids are about to be free for their summer break. You’re likely making plans already on how to stay cool in the heat (and sane). And if you’re like me, you’re also attempting to prepare for the new human about to pop into the world. When I say POP I literally mean I’m about to pop, btw. After a month of ups and downs, I’m relieved to share that we’re on schedule for my c-section this coming Wednesday! When I learned another c-section would be the safest thing for me and Baby #2, and I was already due the same week, I couldn’t resist picking the 25th. Not only is it my mother’s birthday, but it was my grandpa’s as well. As Mom says, he would be so excited if he were still here. It also struck me the other day, that my girl is being born in 2022, and my grandpa was born in 1923. He would have been nearly 100, which boggles the mind.
My mom (as you’ll know if you’ve been following these posts) has been through the gauntlet for the past five or so years. Between breast cancer and then kidney cancer, along with surgeries and treatments, she hasn’t had the best time. So when I learned I was pregnant last year, and I heard about my potential due date, I wanted to give her this. Not just as something for her to look forward to (she loves babies of course) but because it would make her birthdays wonderful again. I was born on my grandma’s birthday, July 14th. So you could say it’s been a bit of a family tradition 😉 But since both my grandparents have been gone, birthdays are always sad for us. We can’t help but remember all the birthdays we shared with our other person, no matter how much family tries to make up for the loss. So I’ve been excited to be back on schedule for this coming Wednesday. (I may also be excited to not have a bowling ball blocking the view of my feet, too lol)
I spent the past couple of months trying to mark off a “pre-baby bucket list” so to speak. For those of you who don’t know, newborn babies are a lot of work. You spend at least six months running on a serious lack of sleep as you work hard to keep them alive. And that’s just for your average baby! Keeping this in mind, I tried to think of all the things I may not have time for after she’s here, and threw myself into a “carpe diem” mindset. I picked up sketching again and did my best to keep up exercise when I could. I spent extra time with my six-year-old and did my best to say “yes” every time he asked if I would play with him. And to my surprise, I raised funds to help finally publish the sequel to Silver Hollow, my first novel. By a miracle, I published Blackbriar Cove on May 12th 😀
Keeping busy has also had the benefit to keep me distracted from the fact I have a tiny human on the way. It’s intimidating, even though I’ve done this before. But I don’t know if you ever completely shake the pressure or responsibility of being a parent. It has definitely changed my perspective on so many things. And it also makes me grateful for all the little moments in between. Life is made up of these little moments, even though it can feel defined by the big milestones. I’m so happy that I took the time to make time for all those extra little and big moments this year. It reminded me that I’m capable of much more than I’ve let myself believe. I think we’re all capable of so much more than we allow ourselves. Whether we lose that childlike belief through life’s increasing responsibilities, or outside forces, I hope you remember how much you absolutely can do. Have faith in yourself and don’t give up on your dreams, friend. ❤
I’ll be on hiatus soon, but look to come back to work and books and such mid-June. I hope all of you have a wonderful start to your summer! I hope you attempt to “carpe diem” your own list in the next few weeks. You never know what can happen 🙂
Discover the Borderlands Series!
Visit My Ko-fi Page!
Jennifer Silverwood 