Do we make a difference?

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“When I die I want to have made a difference,” my friend Adrianne said to me at our writer’s retreat. It got me thinking. Have I made a difference in anyone’s life? I like to think I have but then again have I really?

Unless someone comes up to us and tells us, how do we know? Do we need to know? Why is this important to so many people? Perhaps it shows we thought of others, that our time on this Earth stood for something instead of just mindless day by day activities.

We hear on TV and in magazine stories of how one person made such a huge impact on a person or community. They are good feel stories that makes me want to be one of those people. But it doesn’t have to be a big splash. I would be okay with a little ripple if it means I helped someone to the point it changed an aspect of their lives.

It is not something I think on often until I hear someone mention it to me. I do give to charities, the ones that mean something to me. But is this the same thing, can I bank on this meaning I am making a change? I’m not sure. I just know when I am being lowered into the ground I want to have made a dent in one person’s life, regardless who they are. For to me, it means I mattered.

Cover Reveal: Hour Measure By Mark Roemmich

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Title: Hour Measure

Author: Mark Roemmich

Genre: Literary Fiction

Release Date: December 17, 2014

Publisher: Lysestrah Press

Book Description:

Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, and I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” ― Dalai Lama

SHINDIG ON THE GREEN is famous for its seasonal festivals and musical venues. Live music and arts are a significant element in this tourism-based economy and surrounding areas. A large crowd of tourists and locals are milling about along the river, experiencing the arts and crafts and food displays, as well as the many single artists and Bluegrass bands featured in the farmer’s market atmosphere.

Jacob Labrecque has been coming to the Shindig on the Green since he was a young lad. He is walking with his family, which is made up of a daughter named Amy Harris and her husband, Ray. He was also blessed with a granddaughter named Emily, who is about eight years of age. She is quite small for her age, and she is always sporting a very old-fashioned hat that covers most of her head. It has small flowers on one side, and she will not leave the house without it.

Emily is full of life and leaves her mark everywhere she goes. There is not a person in Asheville that hasn’t been touched by Emily Harris in some way. A special aura surrounds her tiny body that radiates outward. She has been diagnosed with a peculiar strain of Leukemia. People like to label her as a Leukemia victim, but she enjoys every present moment of life and doesn’t like to be called a victim.

Emily lives the Dalai Lama’s philosophy at the young age of eight. Most people search their whole lives for the wisdom she possesses. Emily struggles with Leukemia, but she transcends her pain by living each day as it comes. When the pain is too great, she goes to her safe place within her hour glass world. She shares this hour glass world with a chosen few, but she always shares her wisdom and love of life.

Perhaps when you read her story or see her vision, you too will be affected by Emily Harris. Her story is filled with true emotion reflected in her poems. She will meet a young man that will translate these words–these lyrics–into a song that will become her legacy.

(Purchase links are not yet available.)

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23508987-hour-measure

Excerpt:

AS THEY WALK through the excited crowd, Amy and Ray keep watch over their exuberant child, enjoying the atmosphere as they fight back the sadness that obviously controls their lives now. If they were allowed, they would keep her inside more, but Emily won’t have it. Come rain or sunshine, Shindig night is her special night to enjoy all the things that make her happy.

“Papa, come see! The colors and patterns are exuberant and mystical, don’t you think?” Emily shouts to her grandfather.

Jacob walks up to his granddaughter and looks at the display of wraps, hats, and scarves. Emily takes a scarf from the table and pulls her hat away, revealing her bald head. She instantly creates a head wrap, spinning around for her family’s approval.

“What do think, y’all? Is it me, or is it me?” she asks as she twirls and throws back her head like a bull fighter.

“Most definitely, baby. You are very smart-looking and the dance makes it all work,” her mother says.

Emily smiles and decides to lobby for the purchase. “What do you think, Papa? Does this tickle you enough to pop for it?” she asks her grandfather with a giggle.

“Emily, that’s rude, honey,” her father says in a strong tone.

Emily realizes that her enthusiasm has pushed her beyond the limits of politeness. “I’m sorry, Papa, I just thought it would bring some color into y’all’s pale and drawn faces.”

Jacob laughs and agrees to make the purchase. He offers the young girl his advice in a whisper so that it won’t be heard by the vendor or her parents. “I think it’s a grand idea, but you should definitely haggle on my behalf.”

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About the Author:

Mark Roemmich, President and CEO of Noble House Entertainment Pictures, has been involved in the pre-production, production and postproduction of feature films, television, commercials, PSA docudramas and Visual Effects since 1969. As the global film industry continues to expand and mature and new formats are developed, NHEP has moved quickly to satisfy demand for quality projects.

Roemmich established NHEP in 1985 to develop and produce feature films, constantly working with prominent industry professionals to attract projects that are attractive to both the Major studios and the Mini-Majors. His vision is to keep NHE flexible and to establish co-production relationships throughout the world.

Since NHEP’s inception, he has written or acquired several main stream projects for development and production. Recently, NHEP has entered into co-production relationships with India/South Africa and Germany to produce and direct major epics.

Social Media Links:

Email: mroemmich@aol.net

Website: http://nhepictures.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mroemmich

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9023031.Mark_Roemmich

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NaNoWriMo 2014

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I attempted NaNoWriMo for the first time in 2011 and won. The following two years I was successful as well. This year however I didn’t try at all. I knew with what was on my plate I might not have a chance to win. And for me personally it’s all about the win. Granted we don’t win much apart from five copies of your book and bragging rights. Trust me, bragging rights is pretty darn sweet.

I’m glad I made this mental decision before November. On the first and second we had a writer’s conference in town. The next four days I was at a writer’s retreat, half of which I was sick. Getting home on Thursday the 6th, I contracted a virus from hell which laid me out for 10 days. This brought me to November 16th which was already half of the month done.

In the three years I have won NaNo the first year I did it in 21 days, the other two in two weeks time. So it was plausible I could buckle down and make a serious go at it. But I decided not to chance it. Knowing I would going down to visit my in-laws for Thanksgiving would mean losing three days.

I am happy for all of you who made the attempt and won. I am also happy for everyone who made a serious go of it. Everyone has their own personal goal. My friend Robin calls it NeedToWriteMo in which she tries to write every day of November which I feel is a commendable goal.

But for me it’s all about the win about the win.

The Musings of A New Englander