Wow, what a day! I got the call on Wednesday around 10:15 a.m. I was getting ready to leave the house at the time. Pam Meyers was on the other line. I didn't dare to presume or even hope. Maybe there was a problem with a score sheet. Maybe something got lost in cyber space. Maybe she needed a favor or who knows what.
But no.
She did indeed inform me that my entry had made Semi-Finals. I capitalize that because it makes it look more impressive. (It does, doesn't it?)
I "SQUEEEEE"'d on the phone. I giggled, I thanked her. She told me about the next round and dates I'd hear back, but I barely heard any of that. I did pluck out that "Mum" was the word (publicly) until the official announcement went out.
I bit my lip and ran to my husband's home office (i.e. the garage) and did a Snoopy Dance. I blurted out the news. I twirled in a circle. I told my home-schooled daughter. But I was late for an errand! I texted at stop lights and squee'd with my besties.
The rest of the day was spent texting and squealing in between the regular "mom" stuff like taking my toddler to the potty and making lasagna and checking throats of the suffering sickies.
When the official email finally came through, the party began. Virtual of course. One friend and myself talked about feeling like one of the "cool kids", as the congratulations poured in. Even from some "big names". I got to see who else finaled, and be overwhelmed all over again by the company I was in. Every two minutes another slew of notifications came in from well-wishers. I'm still not caught up. It hasn't stopped even today. And you know what?
I love it!
I love that I have such a fantastic group of friends and supporters to celebrate with me. I didn't expect this and I'm flabbergasted. Awed. Humbled. Thrilled.
My heart is tender toward those who didn't make it, because that was me last year. But I redrafted and reworked and learned and grew, and this time...
I'm a SEMI-FINALIST in the Contemporary Fiction category of the ACFW's Genesis contest 2012.
Woo Hoo! Yeah baby! For my BFF's who have cried with me and cheered with me, thank you so much. Love you! For those who are bummed because you didn't make it, don't give up!
Now begins the horrible wait to see if, by some small chance, I make to Finals. Gah! Dare I hope? Oh, I dare! May 28th is the day marked on the calendar.
Well that's all I wanted to share with you today! Thank you for stopping by!! =)
7 comments:
A WELL-DESERVED recognition, my friend! And it couldn't happen to a nicer lady! Congratulations once again! ((HUGS))
Congratulations, indeed! I loved reading what your day was like after you got the call. How hard it must have been to keep quiet! :) Fingers crossed for you and the finals!!
Was SOOO excited to see your name on that list, girlie! Congrats!!!!
Another fat-daddy congrats! I loved that you included this:
"My heart is tender toward those who didn't make it, because that was me last year. But I redrafted and reworked and learned and grew, and this time..."
Great encouragement! Love you!
Elaine, thank you for the bear hug! Love those. =)
Lacie, it was VERY HARD, lol. Cross your toes too. ;)
Joanne, thank you so much. You're a sweetheart.
Jessica, thanks! It's fun traveling this journey with you. You've definitely become one of my "besties"!
Love you all! I'm off to a women's retreat for the weekend. Time for even more joy. =)
YEAH! Congrats again! Bask in it:)
Thanks, Susan!! I am still excited whenever I think about it. =)
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