Many years ago, I was sitting at my parents’ home visiting with two of my aunts. They were both suffering from cancer and the effects of their treatments. Aunt Dot had fought breast and liver cancer for 12 years. Aunt Ora Lou had fought pancreatic cancer for six months. They had different battles and difficulties but they were still able to smile and laugh. But there was an intimate moment that I was privileged to witness that day. Aunt Ora Lou said to Aunt Dot (they were sister-in-laws), “I admire how you’ve fought the good fight all these years.” “Oh, no,” Aunt Dot said, “I admire you and how you’ve dealt with what you’re going through.” Tears glimmered in their eyes.

Watching those women gave me a life lesson in dealing with the harsh winds that toss our lives in the air. Life gave them both a turn they’d never anticipated on their journey. But they handled the pain and suffering with grace and humor. They’ve both gone onto heaven now, and I miss them, their quiet humor, their strength, their love.

Sometimes we are handed difficult situations as my heroine, Dottie in Ruby’s Slippers, loses her mother and her home. But she learns that at the end of that storm cloud is a rainbow of possibilities.–“Leanna

Thanks for a wonderful story, Leanna. Visit Leanna’s website for more about her and her lively books!–Lyn