That First Glance

There's nothing like laying your hands on your book the first time. Remember when you held your eldest child for the first time? Same category, my friends.

This is me after opening the box. We wanted to preserve this moment.

This is me drooling (oh wait, I cut out that picture - too embarrassing).

This is me loving the writing life.

So cool. So cool.

Uh oh. People have called, emailed, texted and Facebook'ed me stating they are reading it. That scares the pants off me knowing that the world I created, that I lived in for years, has opened its doors to visitors. Funny, but I never thought that would make me nervous, but it does. It's like I'm in my study, hiding, while the entire world is digesting my words. I'm anxiously waiting for them to pass judgment.

And I wonder for the slightest moment why I did this. Why expose myself like this? All those nights of personal strife now in the hands of strangers, family and friends. (Head in hands.)

But wait. Remember those first nights with your newborn? You were scared. You wondered what you'd gotten yourself into. You realized there was no return. This baby was yours, forever.

Then you held up that marvelous wonder you created, grinning . . . and fell in love all over again. Yes, it was all worth it.