Welcome to my blog…

Hello and welcome to my first blog.   Last month I went to the 2016 Blogpaws Conference in Phoenix, Arizona and became inspired to blog.  I was one of the few attendees that weren’t a blogger. I focused on all of the “beginner’s” blogging workshops which inspired and challenged me to pursue this.  

What I find funny and totally me, is that I am doing this backwards.  Usually you go from blogger to author.  Not me! I am going from author to blogger.  My primary job for the past 22 years has been a stay-at-home Mom.  I also worked part-time as a medical transcriptionist (10 years) and massage therapist (one and off for 18 years).  I am proud of all these jobs and the knowledge I gained from them.  However, I knew in my heart that I had more to give and searched until I found it.

It wasn’t until I was 50 (when my kids were young adults) that I had that “Ah ha” moment. I combined all my loves (writing, kids, and animals) and discovered “my life’s purpose”.  As a “social introvert”, a real thing by the way, I sit at home in front of a computer (with my animals surrounding me) and write.  I draw from my experiences.  I take what I learn and tell stories. I am a huge believer in life lessons and have raised my sons’ on them. Some examples are: “Give from your heart.”; “Be kind and respectful.”; “It’s not where you start but where you finish.”, and the list goes on and on. 

As an author of the “Rescue Me” children’s picture book series, I compiled the experiences that both my animals and I have gone through and wrote about them.  The first book of the series “The Upstairs Cat” is the true story of my son’s cat Amazon and how she dealt with his absence after leaving for college.  It is about change and facing fears of the unknown, an experience humans (and animals) go through daily.  I was amazed by her tenacity and courage.  I needed to tell her story and teach children (and everyone who reads the book) the importance of being brave through challenging times.  Every story in the series does that.  They are meant to teach lessons of how to triumph over obstacles, raise awareness to situations that we (animals and humans) face sometime in our lives and help erase the stigma attached to them.  No one chooses to be alone.  No one asks to be abandoned (emotionally or physically).  No one expects to be homeless. These are just a few examples of the themes that are addressed in the series.

What I have learned and wish to share is the need to be accepting of others by putting ourselves in their place.  What better outlet is there than through the pages of a picture book?  It is imperative for our children to understand what it feels like to be alone, lost or in fear and know that it doesn’t define them. All the “Rescue Me” stories help them discover that they have the power within (just like all the characters in all the stories) to rise above and help others in the process.  There is a desperate need in our society to open a dialogue which cultivates strength and unity.  Every book will show them that they have a voice and the ability to be courageous and compassionate no matter what life brings to the table. Every child deserves to learn that lesson. Every book in the series delivers that message.

This blog will be a potpourri of “life lessons”.  Like my books, I will write about what I know and continually learn.  This is my niche and I hope that it will be well received. 

I would love to hear from you about your own experiences. I welcome comments and your points of view.  Please contact me about things you are going through and what you would like to share with the world.  I am sure if it is important to you, it is important to others.  For more information click on the About me tab or go to my website (www.anopendoor.us)  to find out more about my books, nonprofit publishing company and the charities I support.

Thanks for coming to my blog and I hope you find it enlightening!

Jaimi Ilama