A Week of Disney Magic
Had a magical week at Disneyland with three of my six grandchildren. It was the baby’s first trip to the Magic Kingdom. Waking up in a bed with a baby beside me is something I haven’t done in years, so even that was magical. But the best thing about the whole vacation was the look in her eyes as she watched the brightly colored images in the Little Mermaid, and Small World rides. Later in the day, she was smiling to herself and talking, as if she was recalling all the fun.
We met friends of my daughter and son-in-law’s, and relatives from his side of the family as well. We discussed the magic of romance and love stories. I laughed as I told them, “I don’t mind being the drug of choice” for my readers. I think they came away with a deeper understanding of why I enjoy writing romance, and why readers need their daily dose.
I got melancholy on the way home, and once I got there, I actually felt a little lonely myself. Disneyland is for kids and their parents, for couples and for families getting together. I enjoyed seeing all the colorful shirts and ways people expressed their celebration. You’d think the world was a perfect place just by judging the smiles from all the faces I met.[/vc_column_text]
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But he didn’t say anything about solving all the problems of the world. He just wanted to give us the experience of The Happiest Place On Earth, and for a few short hours, or days, we could forget all our other troubles. I think that’s what I do as well with my romances. As I was telling my son-in-law’s mother, “I write what could be, in our dreams.” I don’t see any harm in doing so.
I have a good life, and not a perfect one. I have great days and very sad days, just like everyone else. Some days I regret that I won’t have in reality the Happily Ever After that I find in my books. But that’s all the more reason I should write them.
Because it’s a gift to myself. And I deserve it.
I wish every day was a Disneyland day. But even if it’s not, at least I can dream, which is the most healthy thing I can do on a day when I’m needing a little cheering up. Nothing, not even Happily Ever After, is impossible, because we make it so.
I love living in the magic of love, even if it’s in my own books.
What about you?
Sharon,
We absolutely love Disney! Land/World/Cruise, we have been blessed to do them and enjoy it very much!
I love your books as well as other authors that help me escape my less than romantic life and I don’t think that there is anything wrong with it either!!
Thank you for writing great books, and enjoy those grandchildren! They are the joy that keeps on giving!
Karen
Karen,
You are so right. Grandkids are the gift that keeps on giving. I am so blessed that way. I think escape is a healthy thing if it’s done through reading.
Thank you so much for being a fan!
I have never been to Disney Land or World. When the kids were younger, our money was tight. I do love reading your books. Every day I must get some romance reading in. Not that I don’t have the love of my life, I do. September will be 37 years. They take me away from everything for awhile. I’ve been all over the world and in different times.
Thanks for writing such wonderful books.
Thanks Pamela! Good for you with your long-time marriage! I agree with you about getting your daily dose of reading in. It is so glorious to sit down with a fresh cup of coffee, put my feet up, and run away someplace else!
Sharon as one of your readers who love the HEA you write I thank you. Since I send my days dealing with disability I love the places and people you bring to life in your pages. I love Disneyland and the smiles that you see everywhere. Your books are my Disneyland.
Cindy,
What a great thing to tell a writer: “Your books are my Disneyland!” I shall cherish that forever! All of us have a disability of some sort, unfortunately, and some worse than others. But taking ourselves away to some happy place is always a good, healthy thing. Thank you for being a fan!
Oh Sharon I LOVE reading your descriptions, as well as seeing the excitement on all of your family’s faces in Disney!! Its so obvious you guys were enjoying yourselves in such a special place! I am so glad you all had such a magical time! You deserve it ma’am!!
I’ve so missed chatting with you… its been quite a while! I’ve been here and there and busy with other things (personal medical stuff/and other reasons– I lost my last two grandparents in the last 6 months and that was very hard… so i kinda wasnt online quite as much this last year).
However, I still enjoy following you when I am on!! ? And I just so happened to catch this post today and reading it just made me smile. Believe it or not, my family was in Disney World last year at this time…this very week actually!! LOL So I thought that was kind of neat!? It was my daughter’s first visit and Oh SO AMAZING!! We’ll never forget it (she had just turned 7 while we were in Disney!! ?? That was pretty cool and memorable for sure!!)
Anyhow… take care & much love my friend!! Keep up that magical spirit! ❤ It doesn’t have to stop in Disney (as you have shown us in your books)! ? XOXO ❤
Thanks so much, Erin, for those lovely words. I don’t get online as much as I used to – it sometimes gets to feel like Saturday at Disneyland on a “Free” day in summertime (if they ever have free days) – quite crowded and distracting!
I agree with you the Disney spirit doesn’t have to leave just because we aren’t in Orlando or Anaheim. It goes with us everywhere. Thanks for reminding me of that!
You take care too, my friend!
SHARON
IAM A MOTHER- GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT-GRANDMOTHER AND HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED FAMILY IS EVERYTHING. THERE IS NOTHING I WILL NOT DO TO HELP THEM INCLUDING GOING TO DISNEYLAND. IT IS INDEED A LAND OF WONDER AND JOY. WE HAVE BEEN ONLY ONCE BUT I SO WANT TO GO AGAIN. LIKE TOMORROW.
THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES IN MY LIFE WHEN READING A BOOK IS MY ONLY SAVING GRACE.SOMETIME LIFE IS ALL CONSUMING AND YOU NEED TO LET YOUR MIND WONDER TO PLACES AND THINGS THAT REMIND YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE TRYING TO SURVIVE. YOUR BOOKS DO THIS FOR ME. YOUR STORIES ARE SO VERY GOOD I CAN GET AWAY FROM CHEMO AND FEAR FOR A WONDERFUL STORY OF SOMEONE ELSE. THANKS FOR YOUR FANTASTIC STORIES THAT I SO LOOK FORWARD TO.YOU HAVE DONE YOURSELF PROUD AND HAVE HELPED MANY OF US READERS FACE HARD TIMES WITH A WONDERFUL STORY THAT LETS OUR MINDS WONDER TO ANOTHER WORLD. THANK YOU FOR THIS. LM
Oh Linda!
Wish I could bottle you up and take you home. Thanks so much and I’m delighted that my books help you in some small way. You are a dear to tell me so. I love hearing from you — it truly is the pot of gold at the end of my rainbow.
You take care. I promise to never stop sending you a steady stream of books to warm your heart and charm your life. Bless you.
We haven’t been to “The Happiest Place on Earth” since my grown boys were small. We need to go again now…well soon…cuz we have a 15 year old and two grandsons who haven’t been.
I love your books, and you make us…who have challenges of all kinds…escape, hope…and dream as well! Thank You…very much! <3
Gayle,
So happy that my books make you dream! What a wonderful thing we have there. Yes, you should go with your grandsons! Disneyland is still the place for smiles. You’ll be amazed what has changed, but what still stays the same.
God bless you with your challenges. I am thankful I can give you a warm hug, through my books. Take care!
Sharon,
My husband and I have been blessed to be able to visit Disneyland and Disney World with our girls several times over the years. We look forward to visiting again some day when we have grandchildren. There’s nothing quite like experiencing experiencing the joys of the Happiest Place on Earth through the eyes of a child.
I love the photo of your daughter and your granddaughter (dressed up as Minnie Mouse). They look just like their beautiful mom/grandma! You are truly blessed.
Thanks for sharing your talents with us!
v
Thanks so much for those lovely words, V. My daughter used to love going as a child, and now her daughter has gotten to have the same fun. So nice to be able to be there when she opened her eyes and saw her first Disney character! A real blessing. (Makes up for the pee-stained bed, LOL.) You will love it again when your grands arrive.
Thanks for all your lovely compliments. Can you feel me blushing?
I loved reading this newsletter entry! I’m so glad you had a memorable time at Disneyland and that you were able to share your reasons for writing romance so eloquently. I love the way you called it the ‘drug of choice’ for many—not that I’m encouraging drug use—but reading has so many positive benefits associated with it! And wanting a daily dose of reading something that always ends happily, gives us an escape into a lovely world. Especially when reality isn’t often perfect!
I’m so glad you are writing and sharing your gift with others. Your empathy and your heart both come through in your books. In my experience, empathy and heart are the result of experiencing heartache. We all go through it, although people processes it differently, and not always in a healthy way. Writing seems like a super-healthy way of processing it!
I love your books and appreciate your gift!
I’m so happy I could be your “drug of choice”! Yes, unfortunately the sadness we sometimes feel does spill over into the books we write, but then in the stories, we can change the outcome, which we cannot always do in real life. I’m grateful we have romance for that very reason. When I’m writing, I’m in my self-imposed Disneyland.
Thank you for being a fan. I appreciate you too!
Hi Sharon. Everyone looks so happy & what I would expect if I ever got to a Disneyland. Reminds me of when my sister dragged her husband to D, & insisted on getting an autograph book. By the end of the day he was just as keen as her, & the photos are brilliant. I can just picture them chasing Mickey or Pluto. For me, I would love to meet Thumper. I’ve been a big fan nearly all my life & I’m currently waiting for more goodies from ebay. Somewhat excited!!!!!
I’ve been a romance reader for almost as long & find them relaxing, entertaining & often educational. It’s great learning about other countries/military/traditions etc. Now with Facebook & www I’ve made new friends for which I’m very greatful. I’m always amazed how writers ‘work’. Did they plan a series, or did it just come about. I was never good at making stories up at school, but give me a topic i know something about & I’m ok to weave a story around that. Still never gonna be capable of writing a book tho. My hubby nags me to write a thriller- I always work them out, but it’s not the same. Although I do have interesting dreams sometimes which if I could fully remember them in sure he could pad them out!
Anyway, great to see you having fun with the family. Take care. Allinson from England
Allinson,
So great to hear from you again! Yes, we had a marvelous time in Disneyland. Even the crowds didn’t dampen my spirits. Exhausting, though! But five days of so much bliss, my cheeks hurt.
You should try to write a Thriller! If I can write a book people will buy, you can! Trust me! Your hubby is right.
Take care and hope to see you some day. Thanks for being a fan!