Three A.M.

Something happened on the way to the bathroom. It was three a.m. The witching hour. When magical things occur. I received a message from my friend on Facebook who knew a publisher she wanted me to meet for my children's book The Soldier And The Squirrel.

I had already tried the query-letter route - to find an agent - to get a publisher. Writing the letter was more exhausting than completing a novel. Or a memoir about a spine that turns into a popcorn machine. Or a book about a soldier and a squirrel. Then came the rejection letters. Those are a blast. So I decided I was going to figure out this whole indie-pubishing thing on my own and heal the wounds on my thinning skin.

But then I went to the three a.m. happened. My beautiful friend has a life worthy of a fashion model, traveling in circles of dreamers who know better than to wake from it all. She knows a publisher and felt we should connect. Because he was a dreamer too.

I excitedly penned his information down and started working right away. Not on my next query letter, but on a website for my children's book. I was compelled like a manic orangutan with arms flailing to complete the site by the end of the day. And I did.

There is a momentum that comes with a truth. When something is meant to be. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. Building the website was all I could focus on. What should have taken a week, took a day. I have decided to call it Rome.

My book is about a soldier who finds himself home due to the loss of his leg. His boredom is lifted by the animals in his yard, especially a squirrel.

The book is not just a book. It is a mission. My therapy dog Reggie and I will visit classrooms bringing awareness to our youth of the wounded in our communities who will someday need their help. Every child is a squirrel. And their purpose is to bring joy to the lives of our veterans in need.

I spoke to the publisher yesterday. He will be attending my first speaking engagement to a group 4th graders on 9/11. He will see the book at work.

Magical things happen at three a.m. I just may starting my alarm to see what else life has in store. Until then, let the games begin.

Visit the website for The Soldier And The Squirrel and the program at www.ReggieUp.com