For at least seven years, people have been urging me to write a book. Instead, I chose to use Facebook as my platform. I hoped to inspire and encourage others. However, it was not really suitable because, when people needed it, my thoughts were buried between photo albums, birthday wishes and, of course, laughter.

I didn’t know anything about setting up a blog. I imagined it as something I’d need a lot of direction to do, and, frankly, as a widow for almost seven years how, I had enough ‘Honey Do’ projects with no ‘honey’ to do them. I even had “Sonny Do” projects for my son-in-law, but work and traffic being what they are in Atlanta, I don’t have the heart to ask him.

It was a rainy evening. The grey clouds blew in with a wind that sent me scurrying to batten down the hatches, but it was over in no time. As the sun broke through, once again, my friend, Candy Wynn, texted me and said I needed to start a blog. She had no real reason to say that, just then. She’s been out of town for days, but, somehow, THIS TIME, the words instantly took root. Perhaps it was because there was no reason for her to say so that it stood out as TRUTH. It was as if, when that storm blew in and the sun broke through, God had spoken to me through Candy. Suddenly, I knew I needed to do it. I texted her, ‘Yes, I know, but I don’t know how.’ Candy replied that her kids could help, that she’d ask them, but, somehow, THIS TIME, I just knew I could do it. After all, when God asks you to do something, he also equips you to do it. 

Why did I wait so long? I have no idea, but then, God’s timing is everything. I have been working hard, lately, at trusting God, of being patient and content, resting in Him. It’s as if everything just fell into place…albeit seven years later. That’s fine. God’s in no hurry. He’s got Eternity, and, frankly, so do I.

It is important to me that I encourage others, for that is why I’m here. It makes sense that I’d need a format to effectively share, and now I do.  If you’d like to check out my blog, I’m at diamondgirl.blog  Easy to remember, no? I’ll be writing here a lot. Much of my writing will be about faith because I don’t know how to share my life and encourage others without it. Without faith, my words dry up and become just empty chatter. Expect it, here. If it offends you, I’m sorry not sorry, I guess you could say.  Also, you will, no doubt, read a lot about being a widow as that was a defining event in my life that molded and made me into the person I am today. My title, Marilee We Roll Alone, reflects that. Make no mistake, I ROLL! I hope that I can encourage others who are alone, for whatever reason, to be encouraged that they, too, are actually not ever alone…but more about that in another blog!

Thanks, Candy. You were the catalyst, the final nudge that pushed me over the edge into action. Now that I think of it, that makes perfect sense, friend. You ALWAYS hold me accountable, and I’m so excited to see where our friendship will go!

Tonight’s weather: scattered clouds with a promise of diamonds tomorrow!