On giving thanks for lemony sunshine sweetness and confetti moments

I sat outside Breaking Taco, a local restaurant, after church with my husband on a beautiful fall day and squeezed every possible drop of juice from three lemons into my water. I purposefully positioned myself in the sun to soak up the warmth. There it dawned on me — we all want to squeeze every drop of lemony sunshine and goodness out of this life.

I’M EVER GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE “LEMONY SUNSHINE” GOD’S BLESSED ME WITH.

Cranking a kitchen window open to gentle fall breezes, I’m reminded that being present with family and friends, if only for a few hours, is a sweet opportunity to open a window to our souls.

While wiping a warm tear flowing down my grandchild’s cheek, I’m grateful to share the pain swelling in the hearts of those I meet, such lemony sweetness.

Through every season—joy, exhaustion, confusion, clarity, pain, winning, losing—I want to give thanks and praise. Even when the crisp breeze chills my cheeks as tears fall like leaves from my overwhelmed heart, I want to confess God’s lemony sweetness and confetti falling goodness.

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything…giving thanks…”
Colossians 3:17

So many people supported me through the writing of this debut novel when I thought maybe I was on the wrong track of this writing venture.

I mention some in the WITH GRATITUDE section of Man in the Mist.

My husband, Rick, started this dream—the life and the book.

**Readers sent lovely messages about Man in the Mist. They were like sweet lemon drops.**

“Ok Cherie, I had tears from chapter one. Parts really hit home. ❤️ “

“Just finished Man in the Mist, really enjoyed the read. You captured Raey feeling so accurately about the pain of losing Josh. I did cry several times. I could so relate. I enjoyed the ending, thinking about traveling to Scotland. Lol. Love, your favorite Auntie.”

“WOW! I finished your book last night. It was so good I couldn’t put it down. But I wanted to put it down because I didn’t want it to end. Your way with words is just unbelievable. It was a beautiful story with real life ups and downs. The plus was that I love Celtic stories. My brain starts reading with an accent! 😄 The picture of you on the cover is great. Please keep writing and I will keep reading. All the best.”

“Loving it so far. I like how Josh explains grief.”

“I just finished your book. I hugged it as if giving you a hug and said, ‘Bravo, Cherie, Bravo.'”

“If all books were like yours, I would read more often. I’ll patiently await your next one. 😜”

“Just finished this morning!!! What a great read!!! Kept me enraptured to the very end and couldn’t wait to turn each page!! Very well written and captivating!!! Going to Scotland has long been on my bucket list, and this book completely immersed me in the countryside and culture — almost as if I were there. Can’t wait for your next book!!!”

“I don’t blame the emotionally attached one! I started crying at the end of chapter 3! It led to a personal growth epiphany moment, so it was ultimately good.”