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MFRW 2018, 52-Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop
#MFRWauthor
Week 1: Favorite thing I’ve written, and why
The topic doesn’t specify a favorite book, but we’re all writers so should “book” be assumed? How could I choose one of my own when they’re all favorites? Let’s say I did choose a favorite book I’ve written. I’d be Howdy, Ma’am, but I’d choose this book more for the WHY.
However, I’m not choosing a favorite book today.
I took time to reflect on this week’s topic. Way back in time, I’d written a poem when my oldest son graduated from high school. I had been emotional for weeks leading up to the big day, and I shed many tears as I poured my heart into writing the special words chosen for him.
My first child—my little boy had grown up. I won’t post the poem here because it’s personal to my son. When I came across the poem a few months ago, joyful tears fell, now convincing me the poem was a favorite thing I’ve ever written. The title of the poem is “Shining Beam.” The original first line began as:
It was just your first birthday with cake on your face. Since then, time has been running a race…
Instead, I backed up from his first birthday to before he was born. The poem carries on thro
ugh different stages of his early life and up to his high school graduation. The title came from the last line in the poem:
Look in the crowd… That shining beam is me.
Of course, when my youngest son graduated, the emotions started all over again. My baby—my second and last child had grown up before my eyes. I wrote him a letter instead of a poem. The letter to him was the second favorite thing I’d ever written. Besides my books, of course.
Why? The poem and letter had meant more to me than it did to them at the time, but as grown men, I hope one day they’ll understand how important it was for me to open my heart to them.
Well, here we all are again. This year I can’t promise to make each week in the blog hop, but I love having a topic or direction to guide a post. Last year I met so many talented authors via Marketing for Romance Writers, in addition to authors I had previously known from the group.
Bloggers, readers, friends, I hope you continue to hang out with me in 2018. Have a blessed year.
Hey, this is a BLOG HOP!
Like last year, don’t forget to visit the participating authors.
Thanks for reading.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
19 thoughts on “Shining Beams Might Make You Cry #MFRWauthor”
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Meka James
That’s very special for you to do that for both boys. It is an emotional time, and while they may not have appreciated it then (or maybe they did) I’m sure now they do understand that emotion and what it meant. Kids grow up so fast so being able to capture that on paper is special.
Happy New Year
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I probably couldn’t have written that today, Meka. It seems so long ago now. I’m sure they appreciate it more today, too. Happy to see you in the challenge this year.
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Cathy Brockman
It’s sweet you wrote them special things
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks so much, Cathy. Thanks for visiting. I’m glad you came back to the blog hop this year.
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Teagan R. Geneviene
This is a great topic, Mary. I enjoyed hearing about your “what” and “why.” The telling lovely and I’m sure the poem is too.
I think my choice is odd, and in a way personal… certainly not one anyone would expect. Maybe I’ll make a post of it one day… I do like the idea.
Stay warm, my friend. Hugs.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Howdy, Ma’am popped into my head first, and as I said, it would be for the why. After thinking about the topic, I didn’t want to choose a book because they’re all favorites. When I want to choose one favorite, I’ll have one in my mind, but then I think of how much I love the others. Then I remembered the poem. I don’t want my characters getting mad at me and go on strike. Thanks for reading, Teagan.
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RaineBalkera
Very personal and heartfelt poem and post, Mary — thanks for sharing and welcome back!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thank you, Raine. I’m glad to see you’re back with the challenge this year, too. Happy writing!
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Ed Hoornaert
That’s a great reason to like this poem best of all — because it’s so meaningful to you and your loved ones.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thank you, Ed. I agree. 🙂 Happy 2018!
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D. Wallace Peach
So heartfelt, Mary. Those moments and our expressions of love always mean more to us than to them. We’re in different places in our lives, I suppose. But I think they understand as they grow up and have kids of their own. It’s a poignant and beautiful part of life. ❤
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thank you, Diana. Now that they’re grown, it’s easier for them to understand what we were like at their current age. Did that make sense? Have a great weekend. I appreciate you stopping by. I’m slow at responding today. End of the year paperwork!
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D. Wallace Peach
Yes, made perfect sense. 🙂
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Helen Henderson
good post. made me think of a short story I’ve written. Years later I still cry when I read it. The comment I received definitely applies to your poem. Good evocative writing. thanks for sharing.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks for that, Helen. Is your short story published? I like emotional writing. Glad to see you’re back with the blog hop this year.
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Judy Hutt Thomas
I think choosing your letter and poem as your favorite writing is completely valid for the question 🙂 And I love that idea!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Hi, Judy, thanks for reading! This is what made sense to me today. 🙂
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