Sunday, May 26, 2013

We're Off to Great Places

I'm going to start right out with a confession: I don't do well in crowds. I panic if I walk into Starbucks and there are more than a half dozen people inside. If I don't get to church before the sanctuary fills up on Sunday morning, I have anxiety entering the crowded room (even though there are many familiar faces.)

Amanda graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Graphic Design and a dream of designing book covers.


The last few weeks have put me into unavoidable crowds. Our youngest daughter graduated from college. (Congratulations, Amanda!!) It was a day among thousands of people and I was physically and emotionally exhausted by day's end.

Yesterday was her graduation party. A much smaller, more intimate group but still - two social weekends in a row. And this week the two of us are going to BEA. Nope, I have not chickened out. Even after reading  stories like this, about someone who was bitten there a couple of years ago. Yep. The old me would have bailed by now. But, I'm in and I'm totally relying on God to get me through this trip and all it involves. He has already gifted me with his peace in that I am truly excited (and only slightly terrified.)

 Most of all, I'm looking forward to getting beyond my fears, sharing the experience with my daughter, and meeting some of my blogger friends in person. Oh, yeah, and then there are the books.


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30 comments:

  1. Anne M LeoneMay 26, 2013 at 3:09 PM

    Congrats to your daughter! And congrats to you for braving the crowds for very worthwhile causes. I'm so glad to hear, in spite of everything, that you're truly excited. Enjoy it!

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  2. Ann HerrickMay 26, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    I'm not fond of crowds either. Congratulations to your daughter, and have fun at BEA!

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  3. Victoria LindstromMay 26, 2013 at 3:47 PM

    Have a blast at the BEA, Ruth. I'm sure it will be a special time for you and your daughter. Congratulations to Amanda on her graduation - woo-hoo!

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  4. Mirka BreenMay 26, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    Brave Ruth, truly Out on a Limb.
    I have avoided the large SCBWI conferences not only because of the (substantial) expense, but those crowds.
    For me anything more than five is a crowd. I do like two (=one-on-one) best.

    *A huge pat-on-the-cap to Amanda*

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  5. TerrieMay 26, 2013 at 4:18 PM

    Congrats to your daughter. Hoping you have a good time at the BEA.

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  6. Ann StamplerMay 26, 2013 at 5:16 PM

    Big congrats to your daughter! And yay BEA! Overwhelming but wonderful. (Do come say hi on Saturday!)

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  7. Theresa MilsteinMay 26, 2013 at 5:18 PM

    Congratulations to your daughter!

    You can do it. Have a wonderful time at BEA.

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  8. Jarm Del BoccioMay 26, 2013 at 7:36 PM

    Congrats to Amanda. . . Love the cap deco! I, too, at times, hate crowds of people I know, if I am put on the spot in some way. Enjoy BEA!

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  9. Susanna Leonard HillMay 26, 2013 at 8:24 PM

    Congratulations to Amanda! I love that she wants to design book covers! And you are very brave, Ruth! I know you can tackle BEA. Even though it's crowded (and it is) you are also surrounded by books and people who love them. It's amazing, and I think you're going to love it :)

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  10. TrishaMay 26, 2013 at 10:45 PM

    Congrats to your daughter!! You must be very proud! And you can do it, I know you can. :) Good on you for being brave!

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  11. DMSMay 26, 2013 at 10:53 PM

    Congratulations to your daughter and to you. Being in large crowds isn't easy and I commend you for facing your fears and putting yourself in situations that are tough. I don't like crowds either- but it sounds like both of the crowds you are putting yourself in are well worth it! I have heard the BEA is fabulous. Enjoy and the time with your daughter will be wonderful. :)
    ~Jess

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  12. D.E. MaloneMay 27, 2013 at 10:13 AM

    So great that you are facing your fears, Ruth! You will have a blast at BEA! Congrats to your daughter also! It's a week of new experiences for your family.

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  13. Karen LangeMay 27, 2013 at 12:29 PM

    Congratulations to your daughter! And congrats to you for taking your challenges head on! Looking forward to hearing how much fun you had. :)

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  14. KatieCMay 27, 2013 at 1:26 PM

    Have fun, Ruth! (you can do it!)

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  15. Allyn StotzMay 27, 2013 at 5:32 PM

    That's so exciting for you, Ruth! You can do it and remember you will be surrounded by people who love to read and write books just as much as you do! No better "crowd" of people to be around! Enjoy it!

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  16. AnonymousMay 27, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    Congrats to Amanda.

    I'm not fond of big crowds.

    Have a great time at BEA.

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  17. liz youngMay 27, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    Good for you! It's amazing what we can overcome when our children are involved. Try to think of more than a few people NOT as a crowd but as a group of individuals, some of whom might be interesting to meet.

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  18. LynNerdKelleyMay 28, 2013 at 12:11 AM

    Congrats to Amanda and to you, proud mama! I don't like crowds either. What's BEA? I live in SoCal but have never attended the big summer SCBWI conferences because it's way too big to feel comfortable. Maybe someday I'll overcome that. Have a great time at BEA.

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  19. Annalisa CrawfordMay 28, 2013 at 6:08 AM

    Congratulations to your daughter, and very well done for overcoming your fears! I'm sure she's just as proud of you, as you are of her.

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  20. VijayaMay 28, 2013 at 6:50 AM

    Congratulations to Amanda! And you'll be fine at BEA. Grace is everything, no?

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  21. Coleen PatrickMay 28, 2013 at 12:48 PM

    Congratulations to you and Amanda!! :) And I hope you enjoy your time at BEA. I'm not great at those situations either, but maybe the books will offer comfort?!? :)

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  22. Karen Wojcik BernerMay 28, 2013 at 12:55 PM

    Congratulations on your daughter's graduation! Must have been a great day for all of you. You will do well at BEA. Think of all the books you have as comfort! Hope you have a wonderful time.

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  23. S.P. BowersMay 28, 2013 at 1:35 PM

    Congrats to you and your daughter!

    I don't like crowds either but I would totally brave them for BEA! Someday I plan on being there. Hope you have so much fun, and hope you come back and tell us all about it.

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  24. MorganMay 28, 2013 at 4:50 PM

    Oh my goodness, Ruth! Soooo jealous you're going to BEA!!! You must take pics! But wow... that is facing a fear with the crowd... but you will do fine and it will be wonderful. I know it. So proud of you! And so proud of your daughter! <3

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  25. Romance Book HavenMay 28, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    Congratulations to your daughter! I'm also not too good with crowds. Hope you did great!

    Nas

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  26. Yanting GuehMay 30, 2013 at 11:55 AM

    Congrats to Amanda and have fun at BEA, Ruth! I do poorly in crowds, too, but having a partner frees up some nerves. I think Kelly is going to be there. Say 'hi' for me!

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  27. MarciaMay 31, 2013 at 11:09 PM

    Also not a crowd person. Congratulations to Amanda. Hope you are having a wonderful time at BEA.

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  28. Miranda PaulJune 1, 2013 at 7:32 PM

    Hope you had a great time, Ruth! Love the Graduation cap!

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  29. Jean | DelightfulRepast.comJune 2, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    Ruth, I can so relate to this post. Crowds, when I *can* be in them, completely exhaust me. Two social weekends in a row? I'm worn out just thinking about it! Hope BEA was worth it!

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