I have always had a dream to be a writer. I think it was formed because my mother read to me every night. But, when I was six years old, I was having such a hard time learning to read myself. In first grade, the school I attended taught reading by vocabulary. About mid-year we moved and the new school taught phonics. I became completely lost and embarrassed reading in front of the class.

Eventually, it began to make sense, but I think the hurdles I had to climb just made me appreciate words and their meanings. Through my desperate desire to understand, I realized I loved to write – mostly poetry at that time.

As a young woman, in 1972, I found myself in Spain for 3 ½ years. Television was not available and the only entertainment I had was reading. I read at least two used paperback books a week. This taught me so very much about story, context, content and structure – and it led me to something I didn’t expect.

In 1987, I was taking a two-year course in children’s literature. It was very focused and concise, and I loved it! One of the assignments was to develop a children’s book – which I originally called, “Crabtree.” We were to create the initial structure and a storyline, writing about 100 pages. After I graduated, I packed all my writing into boxes, and with my husband and kids we moved to Bozeman, Montana.

Little did I know, I was stepping into a new purpose, a powerful calling that would soon make sense to my life. It was then that I began my research and initial storyline for what was to become, Sacajawea, The Windcatcher.

From that point on… what followed was purely an awakening, a journey that would take many, many twists and turns. It was hard, crazy, mystical, wonderful and completely life changing. What I began to realize was that this very journey was a vital step for me to be able to reach my writing dream. For I needed a deeper understanding of Spirit as it related to me and the world.

When COVID hit, many things were put on hold, even our movement with Sacajawea.  I had always wanted to finish that “Crabtree” book, and this would be the perfect opportunity. I had revisited it a few times over the years, but now I believed I was ready. With the basic story of 100 pages, I began to push and pull the words into finally realizing the message they needed to bring, through what is now called “Crabtree: Lost Children of Borealonon.”

The story talks about change, about adjusting, about things we cannot explain and about the importance of writing our own chapters in our lives and not letting someone else write them… It is about walking toward the light even through the darkness. If you have a young person in your life (ages 7-12), I invite you to share this book with them. It will be published and available in early 2024.

We are given dreams for a reason! One thing I’ve learned, “If you have a dream written on your heart, there’s already a way to reach it! Keep Walking! Keep exploring the possibilities! Keep reaching!”

I Love you,
Jane