When I wrote Angel Bumps, Hello From Heaven, I never expected the reaction it is drawing. It has happened several times now, unexpectedly. I was at the hairdresser yesterday when I noticed a van parked outside that advertised Hospice for Animals. I’d never even thought about hospice for an animal. An elderly couple walked into the salon ahead of me. The gentleman was getting his hair cut when I struck up a conversation with his wife. “Is that your van outside?” I asked. She smiled and said, “No, but I’ve had dogs over the years who have passed away. I never knew hospice was an option for them.”
I learned she’s fostered Yorkies for the past twenty years. Her eyes got misty when she talked about having to put one to sleep and saying goodbye. “She was only five pounds and she was my girlfriend. We went everywhere together.” I almost joined her in tears. That would not be a good thing; two of us sobbing in the salon. (Years ago, it did happen to me. A woman was telling the stylist how she had to put her horse to sleep. You’d have thought I rode this horse, combed her mane and brought her carrots! I was in tears, big tears. I have since learned to control my emotions, just a tad.)
Eventually, she asked me what I did for a living. “I’m an author,” I said
“What do you write?” she asked, turning in her chair to hear my answer.
“I just published a book titled, Angel Bumps, Hello From Heaven.” It’s about signs from people who have died letting loved ones know they are still very close to them.” I didn’t even get a chance to tell her about my mom’s butterfly sign .
“I need to know you,” she blurted out very seriously. She leaned in closer. “Tell me more. Where can I read your book?”
I retrieved one from my car and handed it to her. “Can I borrow it?” she asked.
“You can have it as a gift from me to you, but please put a review on Amazon for me,” I pleaded. “I wish people realized how much the reviews mean to authors. It’s like giving us a huge tip, but it doesn’t cost you anything.”
My stylist, Sheri, called my name. Off I went to get beautified.
Sheri was stretching out my hair and rolling it in a round brush when the woman came over to thank me again. She turned off the dryer so we could hear her soft voice..
“I paged through your book and it is lovely. How did you know I needed this today?” She placed her hand on her heart and smiled sweetly. “Seriously, how did you know? It really touched me,” she said, as she put her hand on my arm. “My name is Lee, by the way.”
“I didn’t know you needed it,” I told her honestly. “The book has a way of finding people all on it’s own. I just carry it with me. There are sixty stories from other people. I only wrote about ten of them.”
“We need to meet for lunch to chat,” she continued. “Come to my house and I’ll make you an organic meal from my garden. I went vegan after being very ill. I’ve lost over fifty pounds.” She lifted her shirt to show me her stomach. “I’m seventy-nine and look at me now! I’ll brew my special tea with lunch.”
“Well, I’d love lunch and tea with Lee.” I smiled.
Angel Bumps has brought me another new friend.
I am not showing her my stomach!
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