Monday, July 21, 2008

Such happiness!

What do you do when you're so happy that, waking up at 3:30 in the morning, you can't get back to sleep again? This happened Sunday morning. I was too happy to sleep. I felt like there was something I should do with such happiness. Dance or something. But I mostly just sat around...feeling that flood of good feelings - not able to do a thing with it.

The reason for this great joy was the party on Saturday. It turned out beautifully. Seventy of my friends and acquaintance gathered in our yard to celebrate the launch of my new book, A Firm Place to Stand. The weather was beautiful, the food was great, the garden was full of flowers, and everyone was happy.

There were people who I had supported through hard times. And it was so neat to have them here for this occasion. So good to see them doing better. People from my church came, from my writer's group, from Living Room, family members, neighbors and old friends. A couple of people from the Mood Disorders Association of BC came as well.

I was so fortunate to have friends helping me with this big event. My daughter-in-law Jeannette, a cook who loves to experiment made some very interesting appetizers, including dates stuffed with goat cheese. My friend Cita made a variety of hot appetizers and sold books for me. And I don't know what I would have done without my friend Helen. She made sure the food tables were always well stocked and was on her feet through the entire event. Cita's and Helen's husbands and my husband worked hard the day before putting up seven canopies. What a lot of support I received!

Now - in the words of my friend Helen - a new chapter of my life will begin. I will need to promote the book, using it to encourage Christians who have mental illness and to get the word out about the importance of faith-based support. It's time to get to work trying to make a further dent in the stigma that exists - my focus the Christian church.

9 comments:

sbwrites said...

Dear Marja,
How great is this? Sounds like a perfect event, and a wonderful way to "launch" the next chapter! Congrats from Los Angeles!

Warmly,
Susan

Spin Original said...

Wow! I am SO happy for you! Congratulations on the successful launch!

shebee said...

That's awesome Marja! I wish I had been there to support you too...baby still hasn't arrived so I guess I could have after all...darn!!! Oh well...what do you do! I am so proud of you! Way to go!

marja said...

Thank you, Susan, Pj, and Shebee. Time to come back to regular life now, eh?

shebee said...

Marja,
I just read your comment on my blog...have I upset you someway? You seemed a bit abrupt...
I sent you my updated info at any rate :)
Take care,
Shebee

marja said...

Shelly: I sent you an email. I'm sorry I sounded abrupt. I wasn't upset with you at all. Sorry it came out sounding that way.

Nancie said...

Marja,

I am so glad you have such a blessed time at the party. So encouraging to read of the wonderful support from many whom you have encouraged and helped. May God use this book to bless many who are suffering and especially in helping the church to understand, love and support such hurting members. May God bless your labours of love. Thanks for your prayers and encouragements. Take care and have a blessed weekends!

With hugs and prayers,
Nancie

marja said...

Nancie: It's people just like you who encourage me to keep on doing what I do. Thank you for being there.

Kass said...

Congratulations! This is something I've always wanted to do but you've beat me to it! I look forward to purchasing the book eventually and reading the truths from God's word and your compiled knowledge to encourage me.