Day #6 Countdown to Book Launch - "This is Dedicated to . . ."

There are many reasons why an author will write a dedication to a person or persons that is part of a published book. As I put Seeking the Light of God's Comforter---When Challenges Dim Our View together, there could be no other choice than my friend, Tim Hansel.

I knew Tim from his writings, long before I had the privilege of meeting him. In March, 1983 when I turned over in bed one morning and went into a extreme internal vertigo attack, my life changed forever. The constant dizziness, punctuated at times with vertigo attacks, imbalance and other side effects and fear raised the question, How would I now "do life"?

I continued teaching, adapting the ways I organized my classroom - grateful I could still teach. About two years into this condition which  has remained with me these 34 years, I read Tim's book, You've Gotta Keep Dancing' and it enlightened my soul. Tim lived in excruciating chronic pain as a result of an accident while hiking in the Sierra mountains in California. He certainly faced the challenges of loss that came into his life, but he learned to rise above them, not in denial (no way to deny chronic pain) but in realizing one can choose joy, even when circumstances are not joy-filled or pleasant. God has given us that choice. He also gives the strength to make that choice possible.

 Tim was asked to write books to encourage others and I, and millions, have been influenced by them in the best of ways.

Tim did conferences - was high in demand for his charismatic and uplifting joyful messages that conveyed hope to those in attendance. I was able to get on a mailing list, hoping I might one day attend one of his conferences and experience him in person, possibly even meet him. Then. . . .

Tim and his wife, Anastasia sold their home in southern California to move to Seattle to care for Tim’s mother. She lived in the same home where Tim had grown up and she was in need of care. It was at this time, I met these two treasured friends. 

I had sent them a note offering help if they had a need. And one came up some months into my reaching out to "welcome them to the neighborhood". How could I have ever known, that my desire to simply go to a conference would turn into six years (2000-2006) of caring friendship (in person), that continued when the Hansels returned to California, and what has remained after Tim's death (2009) and to this day. 

Thanksgiving,  2000

2010 in California "on Tim's couch" beginning deep revisions in my manuscript 

The "Life Savers" teddy bear is a gift from Tim for a kindness I did. The photo is a header in the section of Seeking the Light that lists book resources that offer encouragement.

Tim

Friends for the journey are friends who understand the journey - through the joys and grief - and never turn away!