Another big birthday today!
My youngest baby, Life is a Verb, is one year old today!
Above you'll find a most beautiful video that a man in Sweden sent to me on the day a year ago when the book was officially birthed out into the world, a video that touches me deeply still.
And what a year it has been! I've now done over 40 readings in 40 cities–a book tour created entirely by readers of this blog and that book (and a video that needs updating!). My humblest thanks to everyone who invited me, who picked me up from the airport in hurricanes and fed me soup from their crockpot, who opened their home and heart to me, who dressed up in 37days crowns and drove me over the Y bridge and rented art spaces for readings and took me to sing at a senior citizen center with them and so much more. It has been the gift of my life, this year, with you.
Recently, Amy McCracken–a woman I've never met, but love with all my heart–took me on a trip to the beach with her. Her photos of that journey accompany this post. A woman wrote from Munich to tell me that she carries me with her everywhere and that she was writing to me from the beauty shop where she was getting her hair done. Fhung from Hong Kong sent me a photo of LIAV with the Hong Kong harbor in the background and Tari June got an entire table of leiderhosen-wearing Germans to hoist LIAV with their beer. And much more. So precious, this knowledge that this work of mine has legs and is traveling this globe of ours, sprinkling ideas here and there. So humbled and touched by that.
How thrilled am I that people love Life is a Verb? Beyond words. The notes and emails I get are overwhelming to me, in the very best way possible. This is a book that has changed lives. It is awe-inspiring for me to know that. Truly. It has changed my life in significant big deep amazing ways.
To help celebrate LIAV's first birthday today, perhaps you'd consider doing one of the following:
1. Write a review of LIAV on Amazon.
2. Tell three people about the book today.
3. Buy a copy to donate to a local women's shelter, homeless shelter, or prison library.
4. Ask your local library to order it.
5. Tell your local hospice organization about it. Buy them a copy.
6. Surprise a teacher with his or her own copy to say thanks for their important work in the world.
7. Write your own stories down for your loved ones, starting today.
8. Definitely, DEFINITELY, stick a candle in your dinner tonight. I don't care what you're eating. Candle. And send me a picture of said candle.
Enter to win fabulous prizes! Maybe even a bamboo steamer!
If you love this book, send me a photo or two – or a video, yippee! – of the book out in the wide world we call home – take me to the beach or to a favorite place, like Amy did. The sky is the limit! Please put LIAV BIRTHDAY in the subject line and send them by September 15, 2009.
Ten of those who respond will be chosen to receive one of the following gifts:
1. A copy of Christine Kane's fabulous latest CD, courtesy of Christine herself!
2. Another copy of Christine Kane's fabulous latest CD, courtesy of Christine!
3. A silver "Life is a Verb" bracelet, courtesy of jeweler Sarah Blaine!
4. A happy official 37days t-shirt!
5. Another happy official 37days t-shirt!
6. A twelve-pack of my favorite drink–HOT Blenheim's ginger ale
7. A signed copy of my next book, Creative is a Verb (well, you'll have to wait for a few months, so only for those with a penchant for delayed gratification…)
8. A six-pack of me favorite candy, Ginger Chews!
9.A copy of Billy Collins' book of poetry, Ballistics AND Johnny Depp Photo Album (of course!)
10. A signed copy of Life is a Verb personalized for whomever you'd like!
There might be other prizes too. You just never know.
Prizes will be awarded at random because life is random like that, mostly.
(ARE YOU SITTING DOWN? YOU MIGHT WANT TO SIT DOWN):
I love you all even more than I love Johnny Depp.
Kisses and big hugs,
Patti
