Friday, June 3, 2016

Changes Make Us Grow by Vonnie Davis

As you read this, I'm at Mount Saint Mary's College in the mountains of Thurmont, Maryland for my grandson's high school graduation. Evidently Oakdale High School wasn't big enough to hold all the parents and grandparents, their heads swollen with pride for their loved one's big day--graduating from high school.

Ryan will graduate at the top of his class. For the past year, he's been working as an intern at the branch of the American Cancer Institute at Camp Detrick, slicing cancer cells and removing the nucleus and also working with DNA. In the evenings, he tutors six students in calculus and physics. He also took second place in the state in wrestling. He'll be attending MIT in the fall.

Changes. So many. And, in a way, so fast.

I worry about my son, Mike. He was a single dad with custody from the time Ry-man, as he called him, was 17 months old until he was 8 when Mike remarried. Ryan has always been at the top of his priority list and wife number two, bless her heart, loved that about her husband. How will he handle the empty nest? I suppose the same way we mothers have for eons as our little ones leave the nest to try out their wings. Tina, who could never have children, is not looking forward to Ryan's leaving either. She's been an excellent step-mom. Both Mike and Ryan needed her when she entered the force field of their lives. She changed them both--for the better.

But not all changes are good, are they?

Take my upcoming series about wounded warriors--"Black Eagle Ops." Men and women changed by war. They need healing, both physically and mentally. Book one--HER SURVIVOR--releases next month.


Each book in the series begins with a similar Prologue...
      In the Hill Country of Texas, a community developed around an old Apache legend—wounded warrior falls. Myth or truth, the story has been handed down, generation to generation, that the rocks in Warrior Falls carry magical healing powers. Wounded Apaches would stand or be carried beneath the waterfall for the healing-infused water to flow over them.
       Over time, the small town, Warrior Falls, has grown to a population of six-thousand. Its few streets boast shops, restaurants, and supply stores kept afloat by the townsfolk and nearby ranchers. Many of these businesses are owned and operated by quirky, yet salt of the earth characters who love their town just the way it is. That’s why the deep secret of Warrior Falls is so closely guarded.
        This is Dustin Frank’s (Dust’s) story.


Pre-order at Amazon: https://amzn.com/B0174PTMU2
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-survivor-vonnie-davis/1122885268?ean=9781101967928

9 comments:

Margo Hoornstra said...

Enjoy all that pride swelled up in you, Vonnie. Grin until your cheeks ache. Congratulations! On the 'boys' and the books.

Jannine Gallant said...

Good luck to Ryan at MIT next year! My oldest is home after her first year at Cal. I was actually pleasantly surprised that the transition went so well for us. Not surprised Tara did awesome. That was expected, but it didn't seem as weird at home without her as I feared. I'm sure your son will cope just fine.

Rolynn Anderson said...

I've been avidly following Ryan through you, for years, not just because he's a wrestler (and my husband was a coach of wrestling for so many years), but because your grandson is both smart and altruistic. You've done well with Ryan's Dad and he passed that goodness to his son. In many ways this is your graduation party, Vonnie. So the men of Warrior Falls are in good hands...and we look forward to their stories!

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Change happens, V. That's one of life's truths, but when there is a solid foundation, wondrous things occur. Like with Mike and Ryan. They are the product of the love you showered on Mike as a child, a true success story, and you have every right to be over the moon proud of both of them, because you played a big role in making them the good men they are. You go, girl!

Diane Burton said...

You sure are a proud grandma--but then aren't we all? Change. Hard to take. But how we deal with change is so important. So glad your son found his soulmate.

Alison Henderson said...

As the mother of an only child who has been the center of her universe, I can say I was surprised how well I did when she left for college. OG and I have both enjoyed being empty-nesters, and I bet Mike and his wife do, too. I'm thrilled for Ryan--he's such a fine young man and primed to take the world by the tail. Congratulations to your whole family!

Anonymous said...

Hope you're enjoying your day, Vonnie--and MIT is a great school.Hearty congrats

Leah St. James said...

Congratulations, Vonnie, on Ryan's many accomplishments! How wonderful. I hope you and your family had a fabulous day celebrating yesterday. And you sure can be proud of your son and his wife, too. :-) Congrats on the new series, as well!

Alicia Dean said...

What a wonderful moment! I'm sure you are bursting with love and pride. Very handsome grandson, and son. Your book looks amazing!!! Congratulations.