Birthday Dreaming
June 22, 2026 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as birthday, dreaming, George Washington, Harriet Tubman, Veronica Jorge
Every once in a while I daydream about what it would be like to meet some famous individual from the past. And if I did meet them, what would I say? Once we’d get past the introductions, nice to meet you; how’s the weather? and other such polite niceties, what would I ask them or talk about? Maybe I’d freeze, and my mind would go blank transforming me into a banal idiot.
Well, I got to find out when my daydream recently turned into reality. No, I’m not crazy. I’m serious. Seriously crazy, you might mutter under your breath. But look, I have the pictures to prove it. Now listen. This is how it came about.
The other day I was minding my own business when I chanced upon an event at the library. Ah, books. (Audible dreamy sigh). They were celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary. That is the library was celebrating, not the books.
Or so I thought.
Because while strolling through the history section, books opened of their own accord and characters greeted me. One even invited me for a stroll and before I knew it I was whisked into the leaf of a page with…
You’ll never guess who it was.
Wait for it.
Drum roll please.
President George Washington!
I could feel the weight of his authority, but also his humility. I didn’t have to fumble for what to say because he did most of the talking. Mostly he asked me about my dreams and hopes for my century and then he took my hand and said, “Leadership is not only having a vision, but also having the courage, the discipline, and the resources to get your there.”
Before I could say or ask anything, I found myself back in the 900 section of the library aisle face to face with Aramita Ross, whom we all know as:
Harriet Tubman!
Her presence was so powerful, but I warmed up to her right away. I asked her how she had found the strength to risk her own life to help so many people. In a steady, kind voice, she said, “I prayed to God to make me strong and able to fight, and that’s what I’ve prayed for ever since.” I hugged her and leaned into her strength. And then she was gone.
I looked around. All was silent. The books sat quietly on their shelves. I went home reflecting on the words of President Washington and Harriet Tubman, wondering within myself if I could ever be brave, strong, courageous, and dedicated like them. I smiled and wiped a tear as I thought of the last words Harriet spoke over me as I held her close. The words of her deep resonant voice will forever ring in my heart.
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
That would be the best birthday present I could give them and they would, I’m sure, somehow know that their sufferings and struggles have not been in vain.
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on July 22nd!
Books Reviewed by Veronica
It’s My Birthday . . . Again!
June 15, 2018 by Rebecca Forster in category The Write Life by Rebecca Forster, Writing tagged as birthday, gifts, giveaway, links, Memories, writing, writing craft
My birthday is June 16. I only know it’s my birthday because my husband keeps reminding me of the date, asking me what I want, and telling me we should celebrate. He has to do this because, in my family, I am legendary for not remembering birthdays. I forget my sister’s birthday even though we were born on the same day but fourteen years apart. My birthday piggybacks Father’s Day, too. I remember Father’s Day because there are lots of TV commercials for steaks, tools and aftershave. Rebecca’s birthday? Not so much.
There is also the matter of age. After the shock of the first AARP envelope at forty, the assisted living brochures at fifty and the burial at sea pitches when I turned sixty, I started taking birthdays in stride. Seriously, there isn’t much that can surprise me anymore on the aging score.
Lest you think me a birthday Scrooge, let me share the one thing I love about birthdays. I love the memory of them. When I was a little girl my mom threw awesome birthday parties for my brothers and sisters and me. I was number two in a six-pack and birthdays were celebrated with the neighborhood kids, balloons and a big homemade cake. In the backyard, we played tag, hide-and-seek and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. There were prizes for the winners but everyone went home with a gift bag. Even at my own birthday party it was that little gift bag I treasured most. I adored that there was always more than one thing: a couple pieces of candy, a silly toy that would break a day later, a paper crown. This bag was a treasure hunt, something unexpected, some thing that, in those lean days, mom would never buy just because. Those parties taught me that unexpected gifts can be the best things in the world.
So, in honor of my mother and the memories of those wonderful parties, I would like to give you a gift. Before Her Eyes is a thriller that will hopefully keep you up at night, but it’s also a very personal story, written when both my dad and my father-in-law were ill. It is a gift of my craft and a little bit of me thrown in to boot and it’s all wrapped up in the memory of a child’s party.
ClaimBefore Her Eyes here until July 1:
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/7tlkgv8nou
Subscribe and get my 2-book starter library FREE:
Follow me on Bookbub!
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on Amazon
Follow me on Instagram
Follow me on Twitter
3 0 Read moreHappy 30th Birthday, OCC! by Jina Bacarr
October 11, 2011 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as birthday, Confessions of a Podcast Goddess, OC, OCC, publishing, romance', self-publishing, WriterBy the time my post is up, OCC will have passed the 30 year mark. I can only imagine the whisperings and giggling and story plotting filling the hallways at the Embassy Suites this past weekend. How many bestsellers were born that weekend, we’ll never know.
How many lifelong friendships were born, well, that’s something we do know.
If you’re a member of OCC and/or a reader of this blog, then you’ve got friends. I’ve never known a more supportive group willing to share ideas, information and a hug when needed.
That’s OCC.
Now that the publishing business is in such a flux, it’s more important than ever to share ideas, whether it’s looking for a NY publisher to self-publishing. We will continue to encourage each other to follow our dreams because that’s what we do at OCC.
That’s what friends are for.
Whether it’s helping each other through a rejection (we all get them) or celebrating with a red or pink or white rose, we’re here for you.
Even when you can’t attend the meetings, the OCC newsletter is filled with encouragement and practical information for everyone from the pre-published to the published to the self-pubbed.
No one knows how all this change will work out, but one thing we do know: from print books to e-books to whatever the future will bring, OCC will always be there for its members.
I’m proud to be a member of OCC.
Best,
Jina
A bit of nostalgia: Here’s a photo I snapped at OCC’s 25th Birthday party showing our newsletters throughout the years:
Featured Books
SOLITARY MAN
On a battlefield in Afghanistan, Sgt. Ryder Bronson makes an oath to protect his dying friend’s wife from a rogue cop—and from the passion that will threaten to overwhelm them both.
More info →
BEYOND THE FORTUNETELLER’S TENT
When Petra Baron goes into the fortuneteller’s tent at a Renaissance fair, she expects to leave with a date to the prom.
More info → 
