Over the summer, I knew a writing deadline was fast approaching, yet I struggled to lose myself in this project. After all, writing a story set in a mountain town in December—complete with chilly temperatures and festive decorations—is a challenge when you live in Georgia, the calendar says July, and your weather is hot and humid. Even playing Christmas music and sipping hot cocoa just didn’t convince my fingers to produce the needed amount of words. In mid-August I was excitedly planning a long-awaited family vacation (with grandbabies!) to our coast, determined I’d have my writing project finished before we left. Then, two sweet friends died unexpectedly within the same week, and I couldn’t seem to write anything. My heart was heavy as I began my vacation, but I was thankful for time with family at our most favorite place.
