The publication of my second book, A Year in the Life of a Recovering Spendaholic, occurred this past March.  Many of you have been so kind in your remarks about the book, and I sincerely thank you for your support.  This has been a busy couple of months, with my Book Launch held on June 1 especially exciting.  I want to personally acknowledge those who made this event so successful.

First, I want to thank the Book Launch host, Leah Friedman, who planned and executed the entire event.  Leah is owner of Raleigh Green Gables, a professional organizing company in Raleigh, NC.  She is also a friend, Solo Sister, and fellow book club member.  When she first heard of my book’s upcoming release, Leah said she wanted to host a Book Launch Party for me.  And what a stellar job she did!  I think many people came for Leah as much as for me!  During selling her home and buying a new one, Leah made time for this event.  She would have had a good reason to change her decision about hosting this event, but she followed through with the Book Launch and hosted a wonderful party.  We all know some people who seem to do more than one would ever expect, and Leah is in that category.  I am honored to call her friend, fellow Book Club member, and Solo Sister.

And speaking of Solo Sisters, (women without siblings), many Solo Sisters were present at the Book launch.  I was so humbled by their showing of support, both at the event, and afterwards. This was a busy time of the year for many people, yet they came.

I am a member of two book clubs, one that has been together for twelve plus years and has twelve members, and the other that has been together for two years, and has seven members.  Friends from both book clubs honored me with their presence at the Book Launch.  Additionally, one of the Book Clubs selected Spendaholic for our June book reading.

Another group that was well represented at the Book Launch was my Writer’s Group.  This group meets monthly to discuss all aspects of writing, publishing, and marketing books.  It is in large part due to the encouragement of the facilitator of this writer’s group, and the support of the group, that I finally finished and published this book.  The company I chose to publish my book is co-owned by the Writer’s Group facilitator, who was not able to be at the Book Launch, yet her business partner was.

Another group that needs to be acknowledged is family and friends.  These are the ones who lived through the year of no spending, and who could write a book themselves about the journey!  Those who were there represented many more who could not be there.  I am so grateful for those who were there and those who would have been if they could.

I learned several important lessons from this event.  One, the importance of connections, and not for business purposes, but for support.  The people who celebrate with us, who come when we have an event, give us more than their time and attention. They give us the value of their belief in us.  And in so doing, we know that we matter to them.  And they to us.  We will, of course, return the favor, and not in a quid pro quo fashion, but because we care.

I truly thought that it was fine to just come and to not purchase a book.  Some who came had already purchased the book, and even if they had not and did not, I was grateful for their presence.  Most did purchase a book, and some more than one!  This experience reminded me of other functions I have been invited to, including Pampered Chef parties, clothes parties, and jewelry parties.  It is usually assumed that the guests will purchase something, assuming they can afford to.  Not that it should be “expected,” but in doing so, we are helping our friends who are hosting the events.  I want to be sure to “give back” as others gave to me; again, not as quid pro quo, but as caring people who can all help each other, and should, when we can.

I also saw first-hand that there are some people, like Leah Friedman, who are more than able to reach out and do for others, and who follow through.  I want to always be like them. I don’t want to take the easy way out and fail to do the work that is required to host an event, entertain, and give of my time, money, and energy.  We are all busy, but despite that, some do, and others don’t.  I want to be a doer.

I want to be like Leah Friedman, and like the others who cared enough to honor me with their support at my Book Launch.

Thank you all, sincerely.