I honestly thought I should just shut my mouth. In a hefty vomit of words one month ago, I shared my grief, depression, and loneliness. Needless to say, I put those feelings out into the universe and I only got worse. Jo was working fifteen hour days and I was a zombie. I didn’t think I should blog under that dark cloud. Unfortunately, not writing increased my depression and intensified my lonely state. I also felt incredibly guilty that I was letting all of you down.
And then I heard from you, a lot of you. Calls, emails, texts, and blog messages. Thank you for your concern and thank you for asking me to write.
During one of these phone calls, I heard from a friend I had lost touch with. She is a writer and is also struggling with getting her career off the ground. We talked endlessly and inspired each other. We both admitted to being in ruts filled with writer’s block and despair. By the end of the conversation, she had purchased a plane ticket. We were going to get each other out of this and forge forward.
Rose arrived on Sunday. In two days, I’ve used my mind more than I have in a month. I have also made a huge decision. Previously, I held back with writing the “Navy Wife” novel. I believed this story was only my own and completely based on true events. I was not working on the novel because these events needed to unfold. I thought DADT needed to be overturned before I could really tell this story.
However, I realize now that I have the capability to represent the voice of so many silent spouses. I am not only telling my story: I want to tell yours. “Navy Wife” is no longer only the lives of Isabell James and Jo McCafferty. The book will now be based on true events occurring in the lives of gay military families across our nation.
I must sign off now and get moving with Chapter One.
Until next time…
