I know it has been a while, a long while, since I’ve written a blog post. Between growing concerns for our nation and for several family members who are battling life-threatening medical conditions, I’ve struggled with what to post here. My last few posts have highlighted ways we can support one another, strengthen our communities, protect the vulnerable, and shine hope and love and light where it is needed most. This is the central theme in my books. It’s something Kri and her friends are deeply committed to. This time, I’d like to encourage you to spend more time engaging in self-care. There’s a lot of fear and uncertainty in the world, especially in the U.S., right now, which is why I feel it is important for us to focus more on our physical and mental health. I would encourage you to identify those activities you find soothing, whether it’s taking a walk, snuggling with your dog, planting flowers, watching the birds in your yard, sipping coffee on your deck, or simply listening to music. 

This may feel like a guilty pleasure in this moment, but a stronger, more resilient you is better equipped to care for others. When you feel that tension creeping in, tightening your neck and shoulders, your anxieties spiraling, or that fight or flight response kicking in, take a beat. Recognize what you need – a break from the doomscrolling, the worrisome news, the chaos, fear, and uncertainty swirling around right now. Make a conscious decision to unplug. Do that soothing activity. Immerse yourself in that moment. Be fully present. Note the feel of your dog’s fur, the warmth of his body as you snuggle up. Listen, really listen, to those birds, the rustle of leaves, your neighbor’s windchimes, and those children playing so carefree down the street. Savor the warmth of your coffee. Or tea. Enjoy the rich, earthy scent of soil as it trickles through your fingers. Breathe deep and fully. Take note of the tension in your body… and let it go. Then, do something fun. Read a romance novel. Dance to that music you’re listening to. Start a puzzle. Paint kindness rocks. Play a game. Better yet, recruit some friends to play trivia with you at the local pub. Phone a friend. Seriously. Who couldn’t use a friend right now? 

This. This is the only way we are going to survive this storm, by finding peace and balance in the chaos. Remember what Maxim told Kri in Broken Wings?

“If I can just gain some reprieve from the storm… enjoy something beautiful and sweet for just a little while… then maybe it will prove easier to survive the storm.” 

You matter. Your health matters. Recognize your own importance and value in this moment. Pour into yourself. Nurture your spirit and tend to your weary hearts. Help your loved ones do the same. Then, when everyone is healthy and hale, rally the troops, tend to those in need, and together we will weather this storm. 

While reading posts from friends and acquaintances on social media, I have noticed some common and concerning themes. Many have voiced concerns about the direction our country and our world are heading. They are understandably worried about the lack of civility, kindness, and compassion. Simply stated, our world just seems more unstable, more angry, violent, and mean. Alongside these posts, I’m seeing acquaintances admit to feeling isolated who are asking, “How can I connect with people and make some friends?” COVID killed a lot of book clubs, social activities, and friend groups. I don’t think we’ve quite recovered from that. And, then there are the posts from those who have announced they want to live more joyful lives. You know what? I think our friends in The Broken Series can help.

One thing Kri and her remarkable circle of friends have in common is their deep desire to help others. They all… every single one of them… want to have an impact. Whether it’s Kadyn and his military friends keeping our country and one another safe… Kri and her colleagues working to empower others to reduce conflict and restore peace…  Rafael and his colleagues who protect vulnerable individuals… or Maxim who is trying to strengthen security in Ukraine… they are all working to make this world a better place. They don’t just do this in big ways as part and parcel of their chosen career fields. They seek out opportunities to help others in small ways too. In The Broken Road, we learned Kri bakes cookies for a homeless shelter. Then, near the end of the book, she and her friends tweaked that tradition and as a nod to all Kri had survived baked cookies for a battered women’s shelter. Throughout the series Kri and her friends donate books, shoes, toys, and other gifts to orphanages in Ukraine, Sierra Leone, Portugal, and Turkey. They seek out opportunities to support and help one another as well. Remember how Shae and Dallas cooked Christmas dinner for the Templar Security staff who could not return home to their families and those who had to work Christmas day? Or how about Kri, Maxim, and Shae helping Oni secure a slot at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution? I think this is what makes these characters such a remarkable group of friends. As difficult and painful as many of their pasts have been, they remain committed to helping others as best they can. 

I think this is perhaps the best way to meet all the needs noted in the opening paragraph. If you are concerned about the growing lack of civility and compassion in this world, then infuse some kindness every chance you get. If you are feeling isolated or lost, then reach out to a local group of volunteers that is devoted to helping others. Choose an issue or activity you feel passionate about; whether it is a local animal shelter, a homeless shelter, a food bank, an organization that supports veterans, a cancer charity, or something else entirely. Get involved. Your exposure to more vulnerable populations will help you put your own troubles in perspective. It will empower you to change the world for the better and to make friends with like-minded people who genuinely care about helping others. Trust me. This will bring you joy.

One of my favorite quotes from The Broken Series can be found in the fourth novel In a Broken Dream where Maxim tells Kri, “It is through our brokenness that we find the courage and strength to do great things.” If you are feeling lost or broken or if you believe the world is broken, then be the change you want to see. When you become actively involved in helping others, you will soon find yourself surrounded by kind people, and together you will achieve great things.

As many of you know, I lent Kri some of my dearest friends in the Broken Series. Some are mentioned by name, others by aliases. I’ve heard from a lot of readers how they love these characters, how they feel like friends, and how they miss them when they step away from the series. That is what makes this so hard. It is with a heavy heart that I share we’ve lost one of these remarkable friends. My beautiful, passionate, feisty, big-hearted, not-afraid-to-be-girlie, pink and prankster loving, fiery red-headed friend Kimme died unexpectedly in July. I am still grappling with the fact that I can’t text her. I will never again hear her voice. I won’t get to see those cute little pig tails she rocked well into her 50’s. I’ll never get to cook clam linguine with her again. I can’t share another glass of wine with her while we strategize about the many ways we could right the wrongs in this world. Kimme was such a powerful, steadfast advocate for veterans, for people with disabilities, and for seniors.

I don’t think she fully realized the countless lives she touched and the many, many people she helped both in and outside of the office. She wore many hats… long term care ombudsman, elder rights advocate, veterans advocate, health insurance counselor, talk show host for Aging Horizons, dog-lover, friend, and wife, just to name a few. I deeply admired her energy and dedication to helping others, especially knowing the challenges she faced as the spouse of a Vietnam veteran who struggles mightily with a traumatic brain injury and PTSD. She. Never. Stopped. Giving. And she loved with her whole heart. 

Some of my fondest memories with Kimme involve hiking Mount Helena, sitting at the top, and contemplating life together; collecting and delivering Christmas gifts to veterans residing in Montana’s veterans’ homes; cooking together; donning fancy hats and throwing a full-on tea party at 5:30 a.m. while we watched Prince William marry Kate Middleton; and, of course, pranking Charlie and waging water-gun wars to liven things up at the office. Kimme was a remarkable friend, one I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know, even if just a little, in the Broken Series. 

So, this is my Christmas wish… that each and every person who reads this post finds a veteran who is isolated and alone, stops by to introduce themselves, and offers to help. Please, as awkward and vulnerable as you might feel reaching out to a total stranger to offer help, to simply check in on them, to let them know they have NOT been forgotten and are NOT alone, I want you to remember how vulnerable our veterans allowed themselves to become when they chose to serve our country… to safeguard us. Remember that sacred commitment? We “leave no man behind.” Far too many of our veterans have been left behind, left alone to fight the remnants of a battle that began decades ago.

This Christmas, I would like to recruit you all to help me ensure a tiny part of Kimme’s spirit lives on. You see, her husband and my dear friend Dan has been completely lost without her. She was his primary caregiver. She handled all the tasks he couldn’t. Even when the ghosts from his past were pushing her away, she remained steadfast in her love. She made sure he felt cherished, appreciated, cared for, loved. He’s alone now. Kimme is gone. I visited him briefly, long enough to honor his wish that I spread her ashes at sunrise on one of our favorite mountain tops. I live more than two thousand miles away. I’m doing what I can from afar to help Dan through this, but I know it isn’t nearly enough. He is incredibly frail… on oxygen… housebound due to injuries and disabilities he acquired while serving this country. It has been difficult to cobble together services to cover all the things Kimme did for him, none of which he wants because he has huge trust issues and really, all he wants is his wife back. There’s a huge workforce shortage and an even larger volunteer shortage, not just in Montana, but in most if not all communities. Finding someone to shovel his walk, winterize his home, clean out his fridge, deliver his groceries, get him to medical appointments, sort through and donate his wife’s belongings has been a monumental, near-impossible task. 

Our veterans desperately need your help. This is not a group of people who are comfortable asking for help. They have spent so much of their lives serving and protecting others, which makes it even more difficult for them to accept help. They are used to being on the giving rather than the receiving end of service. So, this mission, should you choose to accept, may require a bit of sweet talking and persistence on your part (something I learned from Kimme). Tell the veteran you have chosen to adopt that you are on a mission to keep our friend Kimme’s legacy alive. If you don’t personally know a veteran who could use some help, reach out to your local VFW post, VVA chapter, or DAV chapter. They can help you find a veteran in need. This holiday season, let’s ensure we leave no veteran behind. 

This one’s for you, Kimme. I love you.