It's the first time I'm published.
My 7 year old son and constant companion Jeremy accompanies me because he has no choice.
In the hallowed halls of the Library, as a lover of books and ideas, I see my name in print for the very first time, proudly showing it to my son and am deeply moved I've accomplished something.
"There's something to leave behind after I'm gone," I think to myself. "Jeremy and his sister Kristen can always point to this as a testimony that I at least accomplished this."
A few years later chewing tobacco with Will D. Campbell in his cabin in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee I'm complaining my first book "The Society of Salty Saints" isn't at the top of the International Best List.
Spitting in the golden Spittoon he laughs and asks, "Do you know how many people who've never published a book at all?"
Will's book "Brother to a Dragonfly" was a finalist for the National Book Award and he's a famous minister, activist and author who with a single question puts me in my place.
Everyone wants to write a book but few do; I have so what am I complaining about?
"Let's go to 'Gasser's and get some lunch," Will suggests so we pile in his rusty pickup truck and bump down an old dirt road.
A decade later Savannah Business leader Rick Winger and I are hosting a potential supporter for lunch in "The Starfish Café", a culinary arts program for homeless people and functioning restaurant and he says, "Tell him how many books you've written."
"Eight," I reply.
"EIGHT!" Rick exclaims. "I had no idea!" ... meaning he hadn't read any.
Another decade passes and my wife tells me it's time to write books again which I've now done and have learned that it's about the writing ... the creation of images and ideas using words ... that satisfies me.
Sarah's typically mum about anything I write but I am arrogant and honest enough to admit it "rocks my socks" so many people read it every day ... and that over the years a lot bought books ... and even more ... they take time to write me and share themselves after I've shared myself.
When all's said and done it is really is all about the sharing.
Several days ago Sarah pulls out all the books, stacks them up and takes their picture and since then I've taken time to appreciate how each and every one came about from the perspective of distance ... focusing on "How was this one conceived?" ... because they're all old now.
I wanted to remind myself of the inspiration behind the creation.
It's been a good trip down memory lane but ... as I'm fond of saying ... "Thank God that's over!" ... I've got more inspiration to find ... other things to create.
Besides ... Winston The Little Gay Dog is driving me nuts with his anticipation of the next book.
Have I mentioned that Winston, TLGD, is a Son-of-a-bitch ... and I mean that literally.
Plus I want to go to the Beach.
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