PAY IT FORWARD...A "life sentence"

Lots of blogs will be posted in remembrance of the events ten years ago, when two beautiful buildings literally dropped from the sky, taking thousands of innocent souls to a fiery death. The Pentagon, where a hole blew through the fortress, ending coffee breaks, meetings, chats at the water cooler, and the occasional salute in the hall...permanently. And while those images are the ones posted year after year, the heroes who knew their fate when they discovered the bomb they flew in was headed on a third path of destruction, are the ones rarely mentioned, although far from forgotten. The brave passengers on board United Flight 93.

Imagine discovering you were about to be a participant in a murder. The taking of innocent lives, knowing yours would be destroyed as well. Cell phone in hand, you get one call. One last call before you cross the threshold to immortality. Who do you call? What do you say? Is there someone you need to beg forgiveness from? A harsh word said right before you left? Is there someone needing the forgiveness you've selfishly denied them out of stubborn pride? A child you unnecessarily rebuked in a rushed moment out of frustration? "I love you" hardly seems enough. At this moment, you write your own epitaph...the etching of your gravemarker. "Here lies _________________. A man or woman of ______________ whose last brave words or acts were _________________."

Life is too short to live with regret. Ask the survivors of those whose lives were unjustly interrupted and forever altered on September 11, 2001. We can't always be cheerful, loving, and supportive. Sometimes a fuse "blows" and our circuit needs to be reset. But one thing we can be, is "kind of heart." Greet each person you meet during the day with kindness, even if inside you're momentarily fighting demons. If you are curt with someone, even a stranger, they, in turn, may reflect "you" on someone else. Let that reflection be favorable...not negative. You are a pebble in a pond, the ripples endless. Each of us is serving a "life sentence." No one knows for how long, or when our "number" will be called, but during the duration of our mortality, we are responsible for the "pay it forward." Make sure your etched epitaph left behind, is one you can be proud of. You never know who'll "read it."

I have a couple of writing colleagues whose wonderful stories have recently been published. Here's a "pay it forward" to acknowledge their well deserved glory for a job well done. Also, I hope the links work for their book trailers, because they're awesome.


"Two Brothers" by Christina Wolfer

http://www.christinawolfer.com; http://www.christinawolfer.blogspot.com  

Book trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eJmrgPh5hM

When Jacob takes eighteen year old Amanda up on her offer to share his bed, but rejects her from his life, she makes a choice with her shattered heart. A choice she'll regret. She runs a way and marries his younger brother. Ten years later she returns to her hometown ready for a fresh start at life and hopefully, love. But you can't start something new, if the past keeps getting in the way.

"A Muse Gone Rogue" by Kacey Mark 

http://www.kaceymark.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcLQ60z2oCE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

When a demonic attack leaves one child without a mother, Marie Durrant throws out her predictable lifestyle to become the little girl's nanny. It's a big enough step for the virtual shut in, but even more difficult when Marie becomes inexplicably attracted to the mysterious widowed father, who happens to be the most powerful muse west of Mt. Olympus. 

Quenton Blake is an extra hunky, extra irritated immortal, cursed to seek out those desperate for inspiration and feed on their souls. There wasn't anything wrong with saving Marie's soul for dessert, but his sweet tooth has a way of overriding his good judgment.

Thanks for stopping by. Remember my writing friends...the best way to support each other, is to buy books! What goes around...comes around.  

Joelene / Harley Brooks