Wayne and I are en route to Charleston, SC.  I am still overwhelmed from the special gift I was given today at the Sam’s Club signing in Columbia, SC. Delores and Ben, a young military wife and husband, came to the signing to give me a coin called Operation Iraqi Freedom.  I am so honored and touched to receive this special coin.   My friend, Leslee, who was with me  and considers herself a hard-nosed New Yorker, was close to tears.

The coin is given to servicemen and women to pass along to others who have touched them or helped them in some way.  It has an eagle on it with Baghdad on one side and on the other side a red, white, and blue star with all branches of the military listed.   Delores said reading my books helped her get through Ben’s deployment while he served in Iraq and healed from his injuries.  I feel so blessed to be the recipient of this special symbol.

I've posted a picture of Delores (Aprilmauve), Ben and me on my scrapbook page.