Today my heart is full. Being selected as the featured author of the MiraCosta College “2018 Reading Festival” was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had as a writer. But perhaps not for the reasons, you may think.
When I was first notified of this incredible honor about six months ago, it appealed to me in multiple ways. As a business owner, I appreciated the books they were buying and the speaking honorarium they were offering. As a writer, I was thrilled to know my books would be read. And as an adventurer, I was delighted to know that Oceanside, CA would become city number 50 in my #100Cities dream.
But this two-day event was much more than I envisioned or imagined. I got to talk to classrooms and packed conference rooms, and daytime sessions and nighttime sessions. There were posters all around with my name and picture emblazoned on them. There was a huge banner raised aloft that read 2018 READING FESTIVAL.
And most important it was the people. I got to speak to students with disabilities, Special Olympians, night school high school students, faculty, staff, and people who were immigrants from other countries. I met students who hailed from Taiwan, Iraq, Mexico, Russia, and more.
I got home Wednesday night at almost midnight and when I returned there the next morning, there were students already waiting to have their book signed. We did three book signings in total.
The most amazing part was students who – when I spoke – listened, and filmed, and photographed, and cried. Some of them had disabilities. Many of them were immigrants. These were MY people. People who could relate to my journey and struggle. They identified with so much of Swinging for the Fences.
Ten years after publishing this first book, I felt validated for doing so. I was blown away. They touched my heart.
