So tonight I was looking at my author Facebook page.  I noticed I'd been tagged in someone's post.  I wasn't sure who the person was.  It wasn't a name I recognized.  So I looked at the post.  I thought it was interesting she'd chosen my words to include with her post.

I decided to Google the quote to see if it was in other places.  It wasn't one of the more popular quotes from Skipping Stones.  In fact, I read it a couple of times and wondered if I had really written it.  After I read it in context it all came flooding back to me.  The scene, the words, the meanings.

In my search on Google, I came across a post called 365 Quotes to Motivate You in 2014.  It was on a realtor association's website.  I thought it was odd that a realtor's association would have compiled this list, and even more odd they would have included little old me.

I didn't believe it at first.  I used the find tool to quickly find my name.  I thought for sure that maybe there was someone with a first name as J.B. and maybe somewhere later there was a McGee.  You know, sometimes they do that on Google.

No.  It was actually J.B. McGee.  The quote was one I immediately recognized as my own.  It was sitting pretty in the #1 spot under the heading FAMILY.  Above me, there was a quote in the other category by Lyndon B. Johnson and Oprah Winfrey.  Below me, there were quotes from Princess Diana, Walt Disney Barbara Bush, and Michael J. Fox.



So I went back to Google.  I kept looking in the search results and noticed that the title was actually 365 Quotes to Inspire You in 2014.  It was originally written by Dave Kerpen, a New York Times Bestselling author and social media guru.  It was featured on Inc.com.

I am so honored that my words inspired someone enough to share them.  Then to share them in such a list of people that I not only have looked up to my entire life, but aspire to be a fraction of what they are or were.

It's funny this was the quote chosen, though.  I was really sick before Christmas.  I was worried we wouldn't make it "home."

I remember telling my mom that I didn't care about anything more in the world than being with my family on Christmas day.  That was all I wanted, my wish.  Luckily, we made it.

Christmas morning, I found a lump in my breast and my side.  I'm having some tests run next week and hope to know more.  Things are pretty scary right now for me.  My day yesterday consisted of two hours at the diagnostic women's center having mammograms and ultrasounds (I'm only 33).  Today consisted of going to see my genetics doctor for a second opinion, then scheduling an MRI and more ultrasounds and a nice stick to get blood drawn.

SO when I came home and saw this post, it was a reminder of what's important.  My own words inspiring me.  My own words touching my heart.  Here's the story how I came up with the quote.

When I was writing Skipping Stones, I kept talking about going home or I'd say back home.  My husband, Chad, would laugh and say, "We are home."

I agreed, but I told him that Aiken was also home.

He told me I should pick a place to call home - that after 3 years - I should be used to this being our new home.

That's when I realized it.  Home isn't where we live.  It's not a physical place.  It's not really Aiken.  It's not Buford, GA.  Home is where my family resides.  Some of my family lives here, and some lives there.  Whenever I'm at either place, my heart...my soul...is at home.

I'm thankful I got to go home - that the morning I found these pesky lumps (I'd rather have had coal) - I was able to hug my mom and dry my tears on her shirt.  That she was able to tell me I was lucky - that everything but cancer runs in our family.  I was able to get a hug from my sister, who reassured me, as well.

My dad reminded me that our family is lumpy, but in the good way.

My grandmother's smile, her hug, the feeling of her fingers tickling my back - that's medication that only home can offer.

This is turning into a bit of a novel, but I suppose I needed to write again.  I hope you have a blessed 2014.

Thank you for making 2013 one of the best years of my life.

Happy New Year!