Dear Reid,
My name is Martha and we meet briefly at a book signing for Barnes
and Noble in Salt Lake City, Utah this past summer. At that time you
suggested I read your first of two books and then asked me to write to
you and let you know what I thought. You signed my book and ,wrote “bet
you can’t read just one”. Well, you were right,2 days later I was
purchasing the 2nd book. In less than a week I completed both books.
What a treat! Thank You, Thank you, Thank you, for introducing me to
your beautiful gift of writing. There aren’t a lot of writers that touch
my heart and soul the way these books have.
I follow your web site, and was pleased to read that you are taking
a little more time with the 3rd book. Taking your time to listen to
your characters as they tell you their stories, without rushing them
with deadlines. That means a lot to me as a reader. It is amazing to
know that there is another that feels the energy of this life as I do.
People that are moved by a breath taking sunrise or sunset. The sounds
and smells of nature and all it has to teach us. The grounding effect of
the earths energy as I stand on its surface and feel part of all that
is. I look into the sky and can’t imagine the expanse of it. The beauty
of the stars on a clear night. The sounds of the birds welcoming a new
day and the sound of crickets ushering the night. The sounds the smells.
The belief that we are all part of that essence of life. Your writing
assisted me in experiencing and remembering many of my own experiences.
Love-loss, joy-sorrow, happiness-sadness, loneliness, despair, grief and
pain, all those things that mold us into who we are. All these
experiences can make us or break us, but hopefully make us stronger,
more loving and kind, more peaceful. Time will tell I suppose.
Upon completing these two books, I realized there was a stirring in
me, a memory of other stories, I hadn’t read for years. Stories of my
ancestors, most of which came from the lands across the seas. Wales,
Scotland and England. Some of them came here due to a love for
adventure, but most of them desired a concept called “freedom”- freedom
from want, freedom from slavery, freedom of religion and the freedom of
God’s incredible gift, free agency. Many came because they could own
land and own their own home- a dream denied to most in Europe. The
stories began with my Great, great Grandparents, John and Martha
Timothy, leaving their home in Cardigan, Wales; traveling to the port of
Liverpool, England. They boarded the sailing ship, SS John J Boyd on
April 23, 1862, and prepared for the 600 mile journey at sea. They had 4
young children at that time ages 6,4,3 and 1, and Martha was 5 months
pregnant with my great grandmother, also Martha, who was to be born in a
wagon somewhere along the Platt/Wood River in Nebraska. As I reread
these stories once again, I sobbed like a baby. I had forgotten for a
moment, the trials they endured preparing to leave Wales, but also their
journey on the ship and their travels once they arrived on this great
land, to settle here in Utah. Their trials didn’t end with their arrival
here, it only began.
As I completed reading the two stories of my Great Great Grandparents and then my
Great Grandparents, I bowed my heart and my head in reverence and
gratitude thanking them and God for their sacrifices, that my
Grandfather, my Father and myself had the opportunity to be born in this
beautiful land. May I always live worthy of their sacrifices. I’m so
grateful that my children have such a heritage. I’m
grateful for them and the memories I have from that past experience.
And to think those stories are just from one of my parents, my Fathers
side, and my Mothers people came from Scotland and England. All
have Martha’s in them, and Ellyn’s, my middle name. How blessed I feel
to be their namesake.
Wow! I guess you know how your writing has affected me, and that’s
just a few ways. Please, please continue to listen to your Muses and
they’ll show you the stories to be told and the lives and experiences to
share. Hope to have the opportunity of having another book signed. I
hope Salt Lake will be on your list of stops.
Sincerely,
Martha
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