Last Saturday was the grand celebration of my book, Once Upon a Convent. Sue rented The Secret Society and invited her band, Mango Nights, to perform.

Friends from every avenue of my life came to help me celebrate: my sister, niece, her hubby & nephew; members of my new recovering-Catholic group (Journey Koinonia); a condo friend; two friends from Sherman County (where I lived for nine years); my writing circle (Chrysalis Women Writers); a large group of Lesbian friends, and others from the greater Portland area.

A deep sense of satisfaction overtook me, as I stood before the crowd–a new sense of accomplishment and pride. It felt unreal to be so accepted.

Before I could could begin reading passages from my book, the hands went up. I answered questions for awhile, then declared it time for the music.

“Let it begin,” I said.

And it did.

And so did we.

We celebrated.

We ate, drank, and danced, tossing off our dignity and gyrating across the floor.

We danced our Souls.

I opened up and let the joy into my heart.

I am deeply humbled and profoundly grateful.

(Oh, and I sold all the books I brought along, and had to take orders. Even the bartender wanted one.)