Anka of Keeping it Real, has been one of my followers since I started blogging in September of last year.  We were instant Cyber Sisters for various reasons. She touches upon those below, but one of the things I instantly loved about her and her blog is that she’s as real as one gets. Her blog is a space where I can show up  in gym clothes, no makeup, hair a mess, and just sit back and be myself. That’s because as she says, her blog is for:  REAL people. REAL stories. Real heart.

Head on over and make yourself at home, but first take a look at what Anka had to say after she finished reading Red Circle Days! Thank you Anka,  for the support and the review, but mostly the cyber sisterhood!

*******************************************

We’ve known each other less than a year. But, it feels longer. There was an instant connection. Perhaps it’s because we both married our first loves, rocked four inch high heels, and questioned the magic of Disney characters. Whatever the case, in just a few short months, we were planning a trip in her Barbie jeep together.

Today, I’m thrilled to peel back the layers of Leah Vidal’s debut book, Red Circle Days. A collection of life’s little moments . . . Short stories that ultimately lead to BIG life lessons.

“Moments that don’t require a photo album to visit them time and time again. Moments that don’t need a reminder or a red circle on a calendar date, our hearts wrapping around them much like the tiny box on a calendar.”

Leah, better known as Little Miss Wordy round these parts, tenderly captures milestones such as births, deaths, and anniversaries. It’s like carving stories into a tree trunk. The impressions have a lasting effect.

YOU BETTER GRAB A BOX OF TISSUES BEFORE READING THIS BOOK:
Tears rolled down my cheek as I read about the death of Leah’s father. A man with a rich legacy, stricken by cancer with only months to live. Leah remembers sitting by his bedside in the hospital. Her father softly whispered,

“Please take me home. I don’t want to die in a hospital room. I want to be home, surrounded by those I love, celebrating my life. “

She honored her father’s request. For Leah, “it wasn’t the moment he took his last breath that I became a grown up. Instead, it was the moment I realized I was able to fulfill his last wish.” For me, it was the moment I realized the depth of this woman’s compassion.

I WAS NODDING MY HEAD THE ENTIRE TIME. IT’S LIKE SHE’S READING MY MIND:
Yes, yes! I thought to myself after reading about the “Peter Pan Syndrome.” Who doesn’t yearn for childhood memories? Who doesn’t wish they could rewind the clock? Leah’s son, only five at the time, desperately longed to be like Peter Pan. He never wanted grow old. One afternoon, Evan stumbled across his baby pictures and burst into tears. “I wish I was still a baby,” he cried. Leah, being the wonderful mother she is, immediately comforted her little guy.

“It’s scary sometimes to think of what the future holds, but know that it will be filled with many, many moments  . . . Just know that a memory bank full of moments will be more valuable than gold when you get older.”

It’s a good thing–being able to diffuse such uncertainty. Leah also comforted me about growing old. As for the remaining vignettes, I don’t want to spoil the excitement for future readers. So, to find out how Leah closes out Red Circle Days, click here to order her book. The Kindle edition can be downloaded for only 99 cents.

What are you waiting for? Get a jump-start on your summer reading. You’ll be hooked!