July 2004

I have exciting news to share. I wrote a book, and it just got published. This book is a compilation of my columns along with a place to journal, so it is a like a dialog between you and me. I want to thank all of you for this book because without you, I could not have done it.

I want to thank Sharon Kennedy, the tireless publisher of the Observer who has been publishing this column for over six years, with lots of good humor and support. I especially want to thank all of you who have written me or called me with letters, questions or ideas for columns. You have all touched me greatly. I have appreciated that you have trusted me enough to share your issues with me. And I, with great hopefulness, ask you to continue to write or e-mail me issues so that we can continue this dialog.

What I have learned from this process of getting this book published is that if you work really hard, do not give up and keep at it, you can make good things happen. Notice that I did not say that good things would happen to you, but that you will make good things happen. We are not in total control of our destiny, but we do have some control. I know if I just sat in my office and waited, no one would have come to me and said, “Please, Michelle, can we publish your book?”

So, go out there. Work on your dream. Work hard at it. You may be surprised at what you can make happen!