One month and one day until the book comes out…

Now that the writing is done, and the release date is just a month away, I find myself in a very unusual situation.

I've written the best book that I can, about a subject that is unique and compelling. And basically all I can do now is wait and see how things go.

I will do what I can to promote the book, from appearing on talk shows to scheduling book signings, but I believe the best publicity is word of mouth. I'm hoping that you, dear reader, will read the book and like it and tell others about it.

When an author writes a book, he or she wants it to reach as many people as possible. Same with a musician who records a CD, or an artist who creates a painting. If you believe in what you're doing, when you create a work of art or a CD or a book, you don't want it to sit there and collect dust. You want to share it with others and reach the masses.

I am excited about my book and I am hoping for the best.

But I also realize there are many factors beyond my control.

And above all, God is in control. I will accept His will for me and for my book, just as I have followed His guiding hand throughout my adult life. I do the best I can in every area of life and then I walk in faith and strive to maintain my integrity and let God take care of the rest.

On a personal note, today is a very sad day for me. Sept. 5, 2006 would be my brother Roy's 50th birthday, but he passed away tragically three-and-a-half years ago from cancer. I miss Roy terribly and think about him all the time. It seems so unfair that Roy did not get the chance to live a long and fruitful life. Again, this is something that is beyond my control and I just have to lean on God and think that someday, when I get to heaven, I'll understand. For now, as the Bible says, "we see through a glass darkly." There are no easy answers to these questions. That's where faith comes into play. Faith is believing in things you cannot see. I pray for more faith, especially on a day like today. But I believe Roy is in heaven now, with a heavenly body free of pain and suffering. And that helps me through the sadness.

Sept. 5, 2006. Sylvania, Ohio.