Finding My Words

Fast forward to raising my family. It’s the most incredible job I’ll ever have. However, when I hit good old middle age, the kids grew up and moved out, and some serious family drama was added to the mix… I got to thinking. Family had always been the most important thing, but for reasons unknown, I was now unsure of my strength, mindset, and relationships. Once again, I was in the middle, questioning where I belong. That eerie feeling was still there, but I was now overthinking, afraid, and wondering why I always seemed to be in the wrong place.

Then Dad passed away. The morning I heard his voice was something I’ll never forget. “Remember how much you loved reading, telling stories, and excelled in your English classes at school? When your creativity blossomed and your love for beauty enabled you to design beautiful gardens and paint lovely pieces of artwork? And the courage you had to step up to any challenge?” It took a moment for it to sink in. He understood me like no one else, and I believe he had remained with me, patiently waiting, sensing my fears of not always being heard or appreciated, and choosing the perfect moment to encourage me to find my way. 

After giving it a lot of thought, I took the first step… I signed up for an editing and proofreading course. 

It was like leaving a dark tunnel and emerging into sunshine. The proofreading lessons felt fluid and easy, and the editing challenged me. I was becoming a brighter, sharper, more confident version of myself. Now, the opportunity to start a proofreading and editing business stretched out before me, and I was ready. 

You’re thinking, it’s not that easy to just change direction in life whenever you feel like it. But I can say truly… if something doesn’t feel right, and it’s telling you to turn around or make a choice… do it! It may not be easy or happen overnight. But I believe there’s a reason we’re offered choices. My father always said, “Only time will tell.” I never knew what that meant until now.

I didn’t have that eerie feeling because I was in the wrong place… the time had come for me to turn around and realize that I was being offered a choice, waiting to guide me to where I was meant to go.

Hugs,

Susan

 

Susan’s editing career didn’t begin until later in life, but that didn’t stop her from pursuing her love for language. Her goal is to motivate writers, to help them overcome their fears and share their unique stories with the world, inspiring and uplifting others in the process. Ironically, it was in the editing world where her creative spirit truly blossomed.

She and her hubby live on a small farm in Princeton, Illinois. Once her children had flown the coop, she traded the hectic pace of motherhood to become caretaker to a flock of escape-artist chickens, her daughter’s lovely Saddlebred horse, Jack Russell terriers, and a bossy goose, whose temperamental nature became a source of amusement and the inspiration for her children’s stories. Drawing from memories of the barn she grew up in, she writes stories for young readers that beautifully capture the essence of farm life and family values, along with kindness, friendship, acceptance, and those joys and challenges of “growing up.” Find more about Susan and her books here.

Do you love Susan’s blog? Sharing her content on social media or by email will help her business grow, allowing her to create even more valuable content for readers like you, boosting her reach and engagement.