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Sunday, October 21, 2007

On Briar Hill...not just a book, but a song!


I did a booksigning yesterday, and one of the people I spoke to said, you must have the coolest job ever. And I confessed, I do. I mean, I get to make up stories. Most of the time, my stories are comedies, and I'll confess, they make me laugh. So, really, sitting at home and laughing at the people in my head all day...it's a great gig. I love my job!

My current release, however, didn't make me laugh while I was writing it. It's my first serious book. The House on Briar Hill Road deals with a family who's coping with breast cancer, and with loss. It was a hard book to write, in and of itself, but it was made harder because it hit so close to home. We lost my mother-in-law to breast cancer in 2004. It was the most difficult time my family ever went through. Dort was not only my mother-in-law, she was a friend...the heart of our entire family. Writing this book was in so many ways a tribute to her.

I've already had some beautiful letters about the story, and they've meant the world to me. A few days ago, I got one of the coolest tributes ever...someone wrote a song, based on the book. On Briar Hill. It's a great song in its own right, but it's even cooler if you know the story. She really captured the feel of the book. If you want to hear it for yourself, I've posted it on my site. You can go to http://www.hollyjacobs.com/THOBHR.html ...it's about halfway down the page, right over the Harlequin link.

My mother-in-law was so much more than just my husband's mom. She was a friend. She was always there, believing in me, cheering me on, willing to prop me up when I needed it. I hope I did the same for her. I was so lucky to have her in my life. Everyone needs a someone like that in their lives...someone who's always there. Who is that person in your life? The person you turn to when you need a shoulder? The one you can always count on? Sometimes we forget to think about them, because they are always there. It's nice to take a minute to share these special people...so please, share with us, and tell us about your special person.

Holly

11 comments:

Karen H said...

That one person in my life was my mother, who passed away in December, 1993. Now, it seems I have taken her place and it's my shoulder others choose to cry on. But I think I learned how to keep a strong shoulder from my mom. I hope I live up to her example.

HollyJacobs said...

Karen,

I'm so sorry for your loss, but I'm sure your mother loves that you've chosen to honor her by emulating her!

Holly

Laura Drewry said...

How lovely that you shared such a great relationship with your MIL. And how amazing that someone would write a song based on your book! That's amazing. :)

Laura

HollyJacobs said...

Laura,

I know how very much I lucked out in the MIL department. Dort was an amazing lady! And yeah, the song was so cool, wasn't it??

Thanks!

Holly

Nathalie said...

My special person is my mom... she is my greatest fan and I love her very much :

Sorry for your loss Karen, must be hard!

robynl said...

A must get book being I lost my Mom to breast cancer 4 yrs. ago at the age of 73. She was 'the strength' in our family for sure. I miss her so much.
Sorry about your loss.

Maureen said...

In our family the special person is my mother. You hear so many horror stories of mother-in-laws so it was nice to hear about such a special relationship.

HollyJacobs said...

Nathalie, You should share that post with your mom! Telling people they matter is always a special gift. My eldest called me one day after a college course, and was telling me how messed up all the kids' families were, and how glad she was we were her parents. She was shocked by their stories, and told me, "Mom, I was the least F#$%ed up one in class," and then thanked me. It was such a sweet moment...of course, I haven't stitched her saying on wall-hanging yet! LOL

Oh, Robyn, I'm so sorry about your loss as well. And I'm sorry there's still a hole in your life. Hugs.

Maureen, I'm so glad you've got someone like your mother in your life! Again, you should tell her that. And yes, I really did luck out in the mother-in-law department. And I'll confess, she raised a pretty fantastic son!

Holly

Liz Flaherty said...

Hi, Holly:

I just read your article in RWR--it was great.

I lost my mother to breast cancer, too, in 1982. Shortly after her funeral, I told my mother-in-law that I'd lost the only person who would love me no matter what: murder, mayhem, you name it. And my mother-in-law said, "You'll always have me." I still do and am so grateful!

Liz

HollyJacobs said...

Oh, Liz, I'm so sorry for your loss...even after all these years, I'm sure it hurts. But how special your mother-in-law sounds. I'm glad you do have her!

And thanks for mentioning the article. You're the second person that has. My RWR hasn't shown up, so I haven't seen it yet, but it must be on its way!

Holly

Nathalie said...

Holly... how nice. I just made my mom read it and she told me she knew how much I loved her... you are right we don't tell our family that we love them as much as we should!