My website’s name, Dare To Bloom, is no accident. Blooming requires tenacity and courage. This summer, I kept a close eye on a certain plant in one of our planters. As the season moved toward its end, I marveled that the flowers took such a long time blossoming.

What could be wrong? I made sure to water it through dry times, leaned into its leaves and whispered, “Bloom!” Finally, as mid-September rolled around, I moved this baby to a spot with more sunshine. The risk seemed worth it–striving a whole season without showing your colors is a sad thing.

Mid-October brought some tight green buds.

I watered more, and whispered, like a mom with a child slow to take that first step. A few buds started to show red.

Then one day, a single petal strayed from its bud. And as the sunshine cooperated, a few more emerged.

Over the next fees days, individual petals straggled out to create a feeble show.

But this past week, glory time came! Take a look.

Plants are meant to bloom. And so are we. The old adage, “Bloom where you’re planted,” sounds simple, but blooming can be downright difficult. You have to develop confidence that your colors matter to the world, for one thing, that what you have to offer will make a difference.

A couple of days ago, someone called to say my memoir was exactly what she needed to read right now. It doesn’t get better than that, since I’ve always wanted to contribute, to help.

This weekend, my husband spoke over in Eastern Iowa for a Veterans’ Day service, noting that soldiers, policemen, and firemen put their lives on the line for others.

We honor our veterans this week, and I’ll be taking even more photos of this amazing daisy that’s been blooming for about two weeks now. I imagine it’ll continue until Jack Frost says it’s time to stop.

On November 18, my first women’s fiction will release, too. Five full boxes adorn the corner of my little office right now, and I hope this story’s colors–its characters and the growth they experience–will brighten the lives of many readers. That’s what it’s all about.