A Magical Day

Saturday was launch day - online and here in Idyllwild where I live - and the only word that seems to sum it up is magical.

I started the day by connecting with Steve/Duder/my late partner - the impetus for this book - in such a deep and powerful way that it flooded me with joy and gratitude and propelled me into the day such that I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep my feet on the ground. Excitement built as I did this and that and a friend kept texting me with updates about how the online effort was going. The whole idea was to punch through the system and punch through we - you - did. Ultimately, after starting the day ranked 14,669 on all of amazon books, our hour of power got us up to the four thousand range, and we peaked at #201! If you searched "grief and loss," you would have seen that there were more than 25,000 books and at one point, we were #85 on that list! Now amazon updates every hour so the rankings will fluctuate, but thanks to all of you who generously chose to buy books on launch day. Mission accomplished!

Before long I made it over to the venue for the local launch party where, of course, we had no idea how many people to expect. Wendi Strebe did a fantastic job with appetizers and Scott Douglas and Doug Yagaloff provided the coffee and tea. Kate Sirkin and Kristin Ethier manned the sales table and then Trine Bietz got the ball rolling with an introduction of me and this project that really brought the crowd in and set the tone. She was incredible. I started with a thank you to Idyllwild - the place and the people - and then we did a quick little heart-opening exercise and invoked our loved ones from the other side. The energy in the room was so full and vibrant by the time I sat down to read - for the first time. Wow. I looked up and the large room was fairly full and getting fuller. At one point I noticed people reading along from their own copies and it was a trip to see people actually holding this thing that I've been talking about for so long.

After reading and answering a few questions, Wendi popped the champagne, we turned on some music, and I made my way to the sales table to sign books. I guess people were enjoying the food and the wine and champagne, but I hardly knew what was happening. What I did know, was that I got to visit one-on-one with people who gushed with love and appreciation and their own stories about those they love who have crossed over. I was so full of joy and felt honored that they would share so much of themselves with me. Vic Sirkin took pictures like crazy and made sure everyone knew what was happening - to the degree that he knew!

Later that night my friends Rhonda and Rick hosted an incredible celebration dinner for about 20 people that was so warm and welcoming. I invited several of my friends who had come up for the launch and some of my friends from here. More magic. And, yes, Duder was there for every single moment.

So I'm blissfully exhausted and grateful and humbled and ready for more and more.

Thank you so very much.

T-Minus...

Haven't posted for several days as it has been a bit busy. All good, all very exciting, including having taped an interview for InspireMeToday.com (I will be featured on that site on 11/16) and booked another interview on a spirituality radio program sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. More importantly, I continue to be humbled and energized by the love and support of so, so many people for me and this project.

Personally, I am very much looking forward to tomorrow's launch - online and in person - and moving into the next phase however it is that it unfolds.

If you're not in Idyllwild and want to see what's happening, there will be a live stream of the whole thing starting at 2:00pm Pacific Standard Time. The reading should be underway sometime before 2:30. Here's the link:

http://208.87.18.37/broadcast/467

Thanks everybody.

One More Week

With a week to go before launch day, I want to thank each and every one of you who has read the book or part of the book and given me such generous feedback; every one of you who has expressed excitement and enthusiasm and has encouraged me to do this; every one of you who have told others about this project and gotten them on board with the "Purchase Party" next week; every one of you who has offered help and assistance and support and encouragement in all the ways you have done so.

I know it is not so easy to do all this for something that, for all intents and purposes, is just an idea - something that doesn't quite exist yet and can't be touched and held. That's what makes all of your efforts that much more impressive and humbling. But soon that will all change. Actual books are on their way and next week anyone and everyone will be able to order them.

Progress is also being made on the PR front with some interviews in the works. Of course, I will keep you posted as soon as I have more information.

Thanks and thanks.

Suspending My Campaign

In light of the fact that our country is, to borrow a phrase, cratering, I have decided to suspend my campaign to sell books so that I may devote the full force of my energies to making sure we right the ship that is the United States of America. So until further notice or tomorrow morning - whichever comes first - you will find me in the voting booth, pacing the floors, sharing time with like-minded friends, monitoring news of the day from a variety of Internet and broadcast media, and altogether holding the space for an election outcome I know will go a long way toward stemming our multiple crises.

Until then,

P E A C E

to you and yours.