My daughter is attending her first concert this weekend (Stray Kids), her father is going out of town to visit a Navy friend, and I will be alone for the first time in 21 years! (Except for the nosy neighbors who can't seem to understand property lines and the rudeness of pointing their security camera at OUR property ... but that's a story for another day.)

I'm having mixed emotions right now, to tell you the truth. On one hand, I like that I'm going to relax and get quiet time to work on "A Moon For The Mountain: Part 2." On the other hand, she's my so-called "partner in crime." 

I don't think we've had a typical mother/daughter relationship since she was 13 or 14. We're more like sisters and best friends. Of course, I'm still very much her mother, and with that comes the worrying for her going away with new friends. I'm, also, kind of sad that this will be the first big moment in her life that I am not there to be a part of. 

I have severe social anxiety. It's every drop of will power to put myself into any public situation. It's the kind of thing that builds as scheduled dates come closer. So while people like me are fine when we make those plans, especially for things that are necessary (doctor's appointments, dentists, etc...), as we reach two or three days before, we start having a breakdown. I can't even count for you how many appointments I've cancelled the night before. I've even paid fees for cancelling office visits for dentists the day of the appointment. I've increased pain meds for infected teeth rather than go into the appointment and be surrounded in a busy waiting room. 

Despite all of this, I have managed to force myself to be with my daughter for every school event, every martial arts class and meet, fencing, every health appointment, and every other thing kids need through life and entering adulthood. I've forced down my anxiety to bring her to opening day of major movie events, open mic nights for her guitar demos, major chorus recitals, and things of that nature. It's always seemed to be easier when it's for her, until now. 

The anxiety spiked with a month left before the date, not a few days like usual. With each day, it hit harder until I couldn't stop crying over my fear and about letting her down if I didn't go. 

Besides the anxiety part, as I said, we're like sisters and best friends. Not doing this with her really hurts. I'll be worried all weekend and sad because I can't be there. Maybe I won't get much writing done after all, huh? 

At any rate, none of that takes away from the joy I feel for her. She found some good people to go with, and they have a whole site-seeing itenerorary in addition to the concert. I'm so happy for her, and that's really all that matters. 

I'll try to post pics when she returns. 

As for Part 2: It's coming along great! I'm already on Chapter 5 of Evie's story. Blending her story with Garson's to make one part is a little challenging, but it isn't too difficult. I can't say it enough that I am really in love with these backstories. There is so much heart in them that you didn't get to see in Part 1. When you find out ______ and ______ and then ________, you're going to scream! 😉

I plan on posting a second teaser this Saturday. It will be from Evie's story, and I hope you like it!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Please don't forget to check out all my novels, like, and subscribe if you can!

💜🌸💜