FROG MOUNTAIN MEMORIES
"When you wish upon a star it makes no difference who you are," were magical words sang by Jiminy Cricket from a theme song of my favorite childhood TV program, Disneyland.
Each Sunday night I sat glued to the floor in front of our TV set and watched Tinker Bell fly across the TV screen with her magic wand bringing a shower of stars as Jiminy Cricket sang the promise that every wish would come true. Listening to those words gave my heart wings and I believed every word.
March 8th 2012 I had a dream come true. I released Frog Mountain Memories for publication. I don't remember the exact date I committed to calling the words I was writing a book, but I remember the struggle of getting there. My self doubt and I struggled through endless battles. By this time the world had stripped away the fantasy world of Tinker Bell and Jiminy Cricket, more importantly the belief in the words from the song, "makes no difference who you are." I knew better.
But, that battle was nothing compared to the one I fought of actually saying the words "I am writing a book" to others. I had to have a whole lot of help from a higher power to do so.Trying the words out the first few times, "sure you are, and who do you think you are" I thought I saw in their eyes, and every time it gave me a reason to retreat.
After awhile through these battles I came to realize regardless of people it was something I wanted to do. Something I had to do. I wanted to preserve the memory of Frog Mountain's people. It became my dream and a dream is a wish the heart makes.
I have many to thank for helping my wish come true. My strongest ally was God, but family and friends helped me cross the finish line. There are still those that think I should have stuck to the first consensus that I am not a writer, and I agree. I am not a writer, but I am a story teller. Just like all those dear people who filled my life with their stories I have found a joy in the retelling of them through writing.
Since the publication of Frog Mountain Memories many have shared their memories and stories with me; thank you. I have enjoyed them so much I would like to share them on the blog along with excerpts from Frog Mountain Memories in the coming months. Email me a number of contact or come by the Cherokee County Historical Museum and visit. I look forward to hearing from you.
