Day of Hope #96
Sunday December 13 – Day of Hope #96
Goal: Get a manuscript printed and to an editor
Quote: “No one is too busy in this world. We all have the same 24 hours. It’s all about priorities.” - Unknown
Once again, I found myself back at the Residence Inn in Boise, my go-to writing sanctuary. Despite the world still being in a state of shutdown, hotels were quietly open, and I was grateful. There weren’t many guests, so I had the place mostly to myself. I stayed through Monday, fully immersed in writing.
I’m still so thankful I stumbled upon this hotel back in February, even though I hadn’t planned it that way. It’s quiet, peaceful, and perfect for focus. The in-room kitchen lets me cook my own meals, which made it easier to stay safe and grounded. And I’m even more grateful that my family understands my Days of Hope and fully supports these writing escapes.
I was completely locked in. My passion, this book, was finally coming to life, right in the middle of a pandemic. Every page I wrote felt like a quiet rebellion against the chaos of the world outside. I was doing it. It was happening. I’m looking forward to what 2021 might bring, hopefully brighter days ahead.
But… I spoke too soon.
At 1:45 am, on my Day of Hope, the room next to mine turned into a full-blown party, during a pandemic. Social distancing was still in effect, everything was supposed to be closed, and yet, 50 people crammed into that hotel room, loud and intoxicated. Things escalated quickly. Drunken guests started banging on my door, trying to get in. I didn’t open it, of course but it was terrifying.
Soon, cops were everywhere. Someone had been stabbed. It was one of the scariest nights I’ve experienced alone in a hotel. I barely slept and felt too anxious to even leave my room the next day. So, I did the only thing that made sense, I kept writing. I poured everything into the book.
Despite the fear and exhaustion, I woke up early and started typing everything I’d written on the computer. But after that experience, I’m not sure I’ll return to that hotel again. It’s not the fault of the hotel of course. They cannot control who checks in, but I may need to find a new creative space, but it served me well for a long time.
My original plan had been to get the manuscript to my dear friend Idgie in November, but I missed the mark. One of my focuses is to fail like a pro because if you’re not failing, you’re not growing. So, it’s a good thing to fail sometimes. I refocused and pushed to finish it in January instead. Once she sends her edits back, I plan to host a Book Circle with my girlfriends on January 31st, which is a symbolic date, since it’s the 13th backward. We will read through the chapters together and gather feedback. Look for those stories up next.
Reflection on COVID:
If I could sum up the pandemic in one lesson, it’s this:
Everything around us is temporary.
The things our lives once revolved around work, gyms, malls, movies, dinners out have vanished overnight. Even toilet paper became a rare commodity (yes, even on Amazon!). But in the end, none of those things defined us. It’s home. It’s family. It’s peace of mind that keeps us going.
Holiday note: We made the most of the holidays, even though we couldn’t visit family across state lines due to COVID. We started a new Christmas Eve tradition: every person gets to open a gift based on the color of the rainbow. Each gift is a colored bag, with something inside that matches the bag’s color. There is also a larger bag to celebrate their favorite color. We’ll probably draw names next year, but this time we went totally overboard. It was 2020, why not? Everyone was happy, and it made the season feel festive despite the circumstances.
My lesson of hope: Even with a full-time job and the world in chaos, my Days of Hope have become sacred. They’ve allowed me to chase a dream I once thought was out of reach. This book, this passion, is real. And I’m doing it, one hopeful day at a time.
