Motivation Strikes in Strange Ways

“True understanding will come from your heart” ~ Papa Eagle

Wisdom shared between generations honors the past and inspires the future.

Have you ever been motivated or inspired to do something creative? Painting, singing, writing or something else?

As a children’s book author, I focus on characters or stories significant to me or my family. I’ve written about friends, my niece’s Great Dane, my love of Christmas cookies, and a dear friend who babysits her grandchildren…you get the idea. The motivation for my latest release came at a time when I least expected to be motivated to write a book. Ethan’s Word of Honor started from a place of heartache but has evolved into a place of healing. During a difficult separation in my family, I was trying to go about my day and had a podcast playing while I worked. I can’t tell you much about the podcast except hearing the host say, “Honor your father and mother.” Of course, there was more to the podcast, but I became focused and frankly sensitive to the sound of that phrase. I began to wonder what that phrase really meant and how others would describe this honoring. Sure, I knew it was from the Bible and had read it many times, but with my recent depression, I began to doubt my understanding. Did I honor my parents? Did my children honor me? Am I a person deserving of honor from my family and friends? It was, let’s just say, a lot mentally. That very day, I decided to write a book about honor to help simplify this complex, abstract word for children.

I showcased the special bond between grandfather and grandson when writing Ethan's Word of Honor. Ethan is my oldest son’s middle name, and he called my dad Papa. Thinking about them all those years ago felt comforting, and I modeled my characters after them.

My goal was to define honor in its noun and verb form and to break the concept of honor into smaller, more familiar values coupled with pictures children could connect with and recognize. Illustrator Given Sharp did a fantastic job of making expressive characters with a cartoon-like feel. I love all the birds! Be sure to look for the “bird words” and other wordplay used in the text. As a fun bonus, there’s an “easter egg” on each spread of the book. Will you be able to find all fifteen?

Ethan’s Word of Honor is also an excellent companion to my Pledge of Allegiance book titled Our Pledge, Our Promise: The Pledge of Allegiance Explained.

If you want an exclusive hardcover copy, head HERE to order. I’ll inscribe it and sign it for you.

Here’s to honoring children with educational books!