It’s been a long time since I sat at my desk and gave myself the luxury of writing a nice, long, personal blog post here on my own blog at CatholicMom.com.

Since November, after my surgery, I spent seven weeks undergoing daily radiation treatments.  At the same time, serious work began on the book I am writing for Catholic Moms.  About the time that I finished radiation, I banished myself to the lovely new library at Fresno State.  Sitting amidst the students there, I spent about a month cranking out word after word, and enjoying the silence and isolation of the library – such a perfect place to work!  It’s funny, when I was in college I spent a great deal of my time in the library, but I was typically looking around to see who else was there!  I also took a lot of coffee breaks!  It’s great to go to a library just for the joy of silence and know you don’t have a test or essay hanging over your head.

Last Wednesday, I finished the final chapter of the first draft of the book.  Now I have to go back and fix all of the problems, which are bolded and noted in red like this! Much work remains to be done before it will be ready to be seen by anyone’s eyes but mine.  As a first time author, I am plagued by self doubt but buoyed with the confidence that I have a wonderful editor.

On the home front, it feels as though we are spending a lot of time these days thinking about college.  The fact is, it makes me both sad and excited.  I’m saddened by the fact that Eric’s race to manhood and independence continues at a crazy pace, leaving his mother to stand by, watching and praying.  He seems more and more on top of his own life every day – I am proud, but not yet ready to let go.  It’s also exciting to spend time with him, exploring his possible options.  I loved college and know that he will too.  Helping him find the right college home will be both fun and challenging.

On the health front, I meet again with my oncologist on Thursday – it seems that they follow you very closely for several months after treatments.  The whole experience is already beginning to turn into a fuzzy half-memory in my mind, replaced by the day in day out joys of life.

I’m hoping to find more time every day to write here on the blog – to share the happiness and tests of my own faith journey with you.  I hope your Spring is off to a wonderful start, that your Lenten season has been fruitful, and that you are as happy as I am today!

Here’s a wonderful little video, shared by my friend Deacon Tom Fox.  Spreading joy is a gift – when I showed this to Adam this morning, I told him that it reminded me of him – but the truth is, so many of you are out there spreading joy in your corners of the world.  Thank you for the joy you spread my way!