Today is an amazing and beautiful day…not only because the sun is vibrantly shining, the skies are periwinkle blue and we are abundantly alive, but also because I just had my first book store sighting of an inspiring, empowering and BEAUTIFUL book: SACRED.
This is especially significant not only because this young adult novel moved me to empathetic tears and joyful smiles, but also because it is written by a beloved, delightful, beautiful friend of mine: Elana K. Arnold.
It was by chance that I met Elana two years ago when I first ventured into the then unknown world of homeschooling my two sweet girls. As soon as I met Elana, I was enchanted by her lovely smile, her confident and witty communication, and her ease of existing in the world. Very quickly, we engaged in more and more dialogue, playdates, and happy times spent together, sharing stories, laughing, reveling in our children’s play, encouraging one another, growing ever closer to the sacred title: friends.
As time progressed, I have come to know Elana as an amazingly supportive, compassionate, flexible, gracious and loving friend. She is the kind of woman I want on my team. She is a woman I respect, admire, appreciate and love. I respect Elana’s forthrightness, her willingness to say it like it is, and her ability to see the bigger picture of life, and to share her vision in her own kind and clever way. I admire Elana’s courage and tenacity to share her gift and her words with the world. I appreciate Elana for all that she is to me, for her tenderness and patience with children, for her kindness and trust, for being an inspiration by creating the life of her dreams. I love Elana just as she is.
Today as I practiced yoga I felt inspired to share my gratitude for this amazing and beautiful woman…and when I walked in to Gatsby’s Books after yoga and saw SACRED perfectly placed atop the counter, I had to snap a picture to capture the memory of this epic occasion.
There are countless reasons to celebrate life every single moment…today, I celebrate the emergence of a lovely, talented, remarkable writer, whose friendship and success remind me that life is meant to be lived wholeheartedly, unabashedly, willingly ready to SHINE.
Elana K Arnold
November 10, 2012
You are such a sweet friend and an inspiration to me, Denise! Thank you so much.
daretoshineteo
November 11, 2012
So excited for Tuesday! 🙂