Friday, July 10, 2015

On the Side of Miracles

Thought for the day:  There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is.  [Albert Einstein]

[morguefile]
So which kind of person are you... one who believes in miracles, or one who doesn't? One who sees the wondrous beauty of life and creation itself as miraculous, or one who believes everything can be easily explained by mere logic and scientific laws?

If you don't believe in miracles, perhaps you've forgotten you are one.  [author unknown]

Me? I'm on the side of miracles. Not that I don't believe in logic and scientific laws, mind you, but some things fall too far outside of my box of expectation to be explained away by simple logic or law. Like the little 18-month-old girl from Utah I read about earlier this year. She survived for more than twelve hours hanging upside down in her car seat after her mother's car skidded off the road and into a river. Police officers and firefighters claimed a mysterious voice called to them from the vehicle, saying Help me!  Not a child's voice, they said. Not the mother's voice, either, because she died on impact. But because of that voice, they kept working in the frigid water, and were able to rescue that miracle baby, who later fully recovered. There are many other tales of miraculous medical recoveries, of people awakening just as they are about to be declared dead, after an hour or more of attempted resuscitation. Of malignant tumors that miraculously... disappear. Of all sorts of wondrous things and instances of serendipity that defy explanation. Some people only believe in the miracles as described in the Bible. Some don't even believe in those. I'm more liberal. I watched one of my grandchildren push her way into the world, and although I could give you a medical and scientific explanation of how she came to be... I still see her birth and the beautiful child she is as a ... miracle.

 The word miracle comes from the Latin mericulum, a form of mirari, meaning to wonder, and I don't know about you, but the longer I live, the more wonders I see in this old world of ours. And the more grateful I am to be here to see them. Where there is great love there are always miracles. [Willa Cather]




So what's all this talk about miracles, you ask? Well, it's actually a roundabout way of introducing a brand new book by the lovely TB Markinson. Just released this past Monday, it certainly isn't a miracle that she's written another book, because this talented gal is some kinda prolific, but the word miracle is in the title...

                                                        Wanta see the gorgeous cover???



                                                                I know. WOW, huh?

                             Tagline: To secure a loving future, she must shed an addicting past.

                                                      Intrigued? Here's the blurb:

Newspaper publisher and world traveler JJ Cavendish continually feels pressured to live up to her Miracle Girl nickname. Not many people know she's living a carefully crafted lie. She may not hide her ties to the LGBT community, but she does hide past struggles with addiction.

When the Colorado native is handpicked to take the helm at a dying Denver newspaper, she ends up reconnecting with her long lost love in this contemporary lesbian romance. Only there's a catch. If JJ fires the most belligerent editor at the paper, she risks losing the love of her life.

Mid-afternoon office romps abound in this romantic comedy while also focusing on what it takes for a newspaper to remain relevant in this age of social media.

Must JJ lose everything in order to gain a life more fully her own?
                                                 ********************

I haven't had a chance to read this book. Yet. But I plan to read it, because TB's books are always well-written, touching, and about universal themes anyone can easily relate to. And this one is a romantic comedy! A romp! Sounds like fun.

Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles. [Edwin Louis Cole]
(Pssst! I'm expecting this to be a really good book!)

A miracle is a shift in perception from fear to love.  [Marianne Williamson]

God gives miracles to those who believe, courage to those with faith, hope to those who dream, and love to those who accept.  [author unknown]

I'm gonna be away from the computer for a while. Gonna (woo HOO!) be spending some time with some of our grandchildren, including the not-so-little-anymore cutie I watched enter this world. But fear not. As Arnold Schwartzeneggar said... I'll be Bach. 

                               Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

74 comments:

  1. Wonder is an amazing way to greet each and every day. Science and logic have their place, but awe is just too good to pass up on.
    And yay for another book from TB Markinson. I really enjoyed the other one of hers I read, and will succumb to this one (when my unread tower is slightly smaller).
    Have a marvellous time with your grandbabies...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, wonder IS an amazing way to greet each day. If we expect to be amazed by life, we will be.

      We had a FAB-ulous time with the kidlets. :)

      Delete
  2. I believe in miracles. I don't see how anyone at all can look around this wonderful world and not believe. I watched my first grand daughter come into this world too. What a moment!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How cool! I'm glad you were able to watch the birth of one of your grands, too. It was absolutely amazing, wasn't it? I'll bet you had tears in your eyes, too. (How could we NOT?)

      Delete
  3. One can't study enigmas and rule out miracles. Great post, Susan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed. Enigmas and miracles often walk hand-in-hand.

      Delete
  4. I remember reading about the little girl in Utah and yeah, it was a miracle that she survived and that they found her. I'm not against science and logic, but like you, I do think miracles happen. Somethings are just beyond explanation and it's kinda neat to think miracles can happen.

    Thanks so much for the wonderful introduction to The Miracle Girl. You're the best. Have a great computer break and enjoy your time with your family. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think miracles can and do happen. There's a sign right in the middle of my bulletin board that says, "It could happen."

      My pleasure, TB. I hope you sell a bazillion copies. :)

      I had a blast. (Short visit, though.) Cheers!

      Delete
  5. Incredible story about the baby, miracles do happen everywhere around us indeed. Nice of you to share!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, miracles are all around us. We just have to know where to look.

      Delete
  6. I believe in miracles and congrats to T.B. Markinson :)

    Enjoy your time away!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmm, maybe believing in miracles is part of being a writer?

      Thanks! (I did.)

      Delete
  7. I know there is always a scientific reason behind what we call miracles but on the other hand, life would be so bleak if we did not have hope for miraculous outcomes.

    Needing an explanation for everything takes the wonder out of our days, so sometimes we should just sit back and enjoy all the little miracles that surround us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For sure. There is always hope. And even in a bleak situation, we can still find peace in acceptance, which may be a kind of miracle in itself.

      Delete
  8. I believe in miracles. I also read T.B.'s wonderful book. Enjoy your break with your grandchildren.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Somehow, I'm not surprised, either by your belief in miracles, or by the fact that you've already read TB's book. :)

      Thanks! I did.

      Delete
  9. I think miracles are possible. But what drives me nuts is the umm idiots, who think every single thing is a miracle. The cat took a dump in the litterbox, it's a miracle, pffffffffffft

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm a miracle believer, too.

    TB's book is all around. I wish her lots of success with it. I love the cover.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All right. LOTS of believers around here. :)

      Me, too. That cover is gorgeous.

      Delete
  11. Congratulations to TB!
    I believe in miracles. Some things cannot be explained.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not surprised you believe in miracles, either. After all, you're our amazing guitar-playing, blog-hopping, book-writing ninja. :)

      Delete
  12. Science will eventually explain all but one thing responsible for life.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I believe all of life is a miracle. :)

    And The Miracle Girl sounds like just my cup of tea -- you know me, I'm all about the romps!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me, too!!! :)

      Oh yeah, you're definitely about the fun romps. (And I'm sooooo glad you are! Makes for some fun reading.)

      Delete
  14. Hello Susan,
    I believe in miracles.
    'God gives miracles to those who believe' I loved this line .Wonderful post :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think anyone who has a child believes in miracles. Thanks for the blitz visit today.
    Susan Says

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you're right. Children have made believers out of a lot of people.

      My pleasure. :)

      Delete
  16. Love TB's Miracle Girl, and that's only from reading the beginning chapters. she's an awesome writer!
    I believe in miracles for sure! Someone published my books! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wouldn't call someone publishing your books a miracle, kiddo. The publisher simply has good taste!

      Delete
  17. The world is full of miracles, from the wonder that is mother nature, to the birth of a child. After years of being told that I could never have children, Spawn is definitely my miracle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwww, your secret is out. (But it's safe with me.) You are, without a doubt, a big ol' softie. :)

      Delete
  18. Hey, I'm a believer. Miracles most often defy scientific explanations - and that's why they're so deliciously intriguing.

    Have a great time away from the computer!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deliciously intriguing. Yes! That's a beautiful way to put it.

      Thanks!!! (I did.)

      Delete
  19. I believe in science and logic and miracles. Had a small one happen to me just today.

    Enjoy the grandchildren!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me, too. I believe, that is. No obvious miracles today, though. (I mean, something COULD happen without us even being aware of it, something that saves us from an accident or something, right?)

      We did! Thanks.

      Delete
  20. Susan, I totally believe in miracles, I've had many in my life and seen many more in others lives as well... science and logic are great but they only take you so far ♡

    Have a fun time with your grandchildren xox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Somehow, I knew you believed in miracles. :)

      Thank you. We had a wonderful time.

      Delete
  21. I totally believe in miracles and I'm so grateful to have experienced a few, too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The fact I am still alive along with my children is a miracle.
    What a terrific book cover.
    Oh have fun with the little ones.
    My granddaughter come next month and with the two other people who help her get here hahahahahahaaha !

    cheers, parsnip

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's a miracle that I'm still here, too. Death has tapped me on the shoulder several times, but for whatever reason, decided to let me stay around a little longer.

      HA! Yeah, we enjoyed spending time with the two other people who gave us our grandchildren, too. :)

      Delete
  23. I do NOT believe in the religious idea of 'Miracles', but I constantly wonder at the miracle of nature.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nature is certainly filled with a bounty of miraculous things.

      Delete
  24. Life itself is a miracle, as someone with children will know. It took me until the birth of my son and then three years later that of my daughter to understand this. As a humanist, I never cease to be amazed at nature and its "miracles". Great post.

    Greetings from London.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Having children and watching them grow and mature is enough to make anyone believe in miracles.

      Greetings back atcha!

      Delete
  25. I definitely am a believer in miracles. There are too many things I've seen or heard about that can't be explained any other way. Nice post. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm with you on miracles. I've had experiences myself that can't be explained by logic or science.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If we're very fortunate... and aware... I think most of our lives have been touched by miracles. The older we are, the more chances we've had to be "touched."

      Delete
  27. I do believe in miracles. I wish the news focused more on miracles and less on the ugliness of the world. We all need to be reminded that sometimes beautiful things can happen -- even out of bad things.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish the miraculous and beautiful got more attention in the media, too. The ugly and depressing side of things gets way too much coverage.

      Delete
  28. We're both believers. Miracles don't happen all that often, but they do happen, and to say it's nothing more than a coincidence is turning a blind eye to the magic this world around us holds.

    And hey, cool sounding book. Not really our cup of tea, but I do love that it's set in our own backyard.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm all about miracles, big and small. Nature herself is a miracle. I feel sorry for those who experience no sense of wonder. Their world must be a very dreary place indeed.

    Have a wonderful time with the grandchildren!

    VR Barkowski

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, you're right. A world without wonder would be a dreary place to be.

      Thanks. (I did!)

      Delete
  30. Thank you for commenting. The sale on 52 Likes should be over this Friday.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Yes, I also had many experiences which cannot be explained rationally.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There seems to be a consensus of opinion. Pretty much all of us agree. :)

      Delete
  32. Oh, I definitely believe in miracles. Logic and scientific law cannot possibly explain why a lot of things happen the way they do.
    For instance, a beautiful woman decided to marry me 29 years ago.
    If that isn't a miracle, nothing is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure your beautiful wife had lots of good reasons for marrying you, so I wouldn't categorize that as a miracle. :) (For example, she probably wanted to get in good with someone who knew how to decorate a bathroom with shag carpeting...)

      Delete
  33. I also believe in miracles! Enjoy your break. Beautiful memories await!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looks like we've got a LOT of believers here. :)

      Short break... but long on good memories.

      Delete
  34. I wouldn't want to live in a world without miracles. I see them everywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I totally live in a world of miracles. I see them every day in my little girl's eyes. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Children help us appreciate miracles in more way than one. First, we get to watch their lives unfold in wonderful ways, and second, we get to see the wonders of the world through their eyes. :)

      Delete
  36. I've always loved that quote and I do believe in miracles. I can't deny I'm also too cynical to "live like everything is" but I'm working on changing that. It's a slow process LOL.
    It's great to see TB everywhere, so happy for her. I hope you have a fantastic time with your grandchildren!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm less naive and gullible than I used to be, but not by much, and a tad more cynical, but a very small tad. I may not see miracles "everywhere", but I do believe they're all around us.

      Thanks! We had a terrific time with the kids.

      Delete