Memory Books

I thought I need to get others to write it along with me. I knew I wanted it completed for the one year anniversary of Richard’s passing, which would be May 4, 2023. How to get others to want to write and keep it a secret until that day?

Compile a Writers List of folks you think may want to be involved in such a creation of love. They may include close family, cousins, friends, work buddies, fellow students, anyone who you think may be, should be, included who has a memory to share.

My list looked like this: Sibs / In-Laws / Cousins / Friends / Book Club Girls.  

41 folks in all with the possibility of 123 stories! 

Not everyone will want to participate. For those asked yet decline I used an emoji 🚫 in front of their name telling me I had asked and they declined. All I had to do was look at my list and I knew who was in and who was out. Keep things simple.

I sent an e-mail BCC to the list of folks I thought may be interested in participating in this project for Terry, Brendan and Erin honoring Rick, Beloved Husband and Father. The secret about this e-mail is sending it BCC no one, absolutely no one knows who received this e-mail and who has not. THAT IS PARAMOUNT IF YOU WANT IT TO BE A SECRET! 

The first e-mail I sent out to the list, I called it The Shhhhh Project. 

(Please feel free to Copy and Paste for use editing as your needs apply)

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Dear Ones,

Shhhhh….I have a goal and I want to include you in the creation of this goal and I NEED you to keep it a SECRET. I need you not to talk with anyone….ANYONE….including the person sitting right next to you because they may not have received this invitation as you have….about my goal and your possible participation in it until after said goal is complete.

Goal = A Book. 

Not just any book. A very special book to be created by invited writers such as yourself.

Why is it special you may ask? Why does it have to be a secret?

It is special because it is for very special people, Terry Shea, Brendan Shea and Erin Shea Travis. It is special because I am asking you to become the story tellers of a very special person, Richard Lee Shea. It is special because I want this very special book written by you about a very special person presented to three very special people as a surprise on May 4, 2023, one year to the date of their very special person’s passing from his earthly life. And that is why it absolutely needs to be a secret! 

Should the word get out the entire reason for the project goal would be erased as the entire intention would change. That intention being, creating a very special book for three very special people about the very special person they loved so dearly and deeply and were loved by said very special person. 

Talk would happen, input would happen, do this, do that would happen, love held within the very idea of it all would dissipate and the goal would be lost. So please, you must not talk with anyone about this goal, this very special book, and the beauty and love you will be a part of creating should you consider to do so. After goals completion, and I will let you know it has been achieved, you may talk all you want to your hearts desires to anyone and everyone. You will even be able to buy the book with your stories and the stories of many held within on our curlygirlpublications.com website. Remember, I know who I am sending this invitation to, you don’t. So, Shhhhhhhh and Hush!

Now, to work….

You may be aware that my Angel Agent, Randy Gibson, and I created a publication company during Covid days….Curly Girl Publications. So, we have the ability to publish this very special book. Knowing what we have learned through birthing Curly Girl we know the process, the finances and length of time it takes to reach our goal. Respecting live-lines, as we call them because I dislike the word deadline, is of utmost importance. So….

I invite you to write up to three (3) stories and one (1) is perfect, personal to you about Richard Lee Shea. Give your story a name, a title. I need them written on your computer not hand written. I need you to EDIT….EDIT….EDIT your writings as I am not going to change your story. And I need them submitted to me at lightpaths@me.com NO LATER than January 23, 2023, three (3) weeks from today with the Subject line “Story”.

Again secrecy is of the utmost importance. If one of you speaks of this project aloud there is the possibility it will get back to the three very special people that this very special book about their very special person is being initiated and that would spoil the entire reason for it’s creation. So, please, speak with no one remembering you have no idea who I am asking to take part in this venture of love. 

Should you have any questions, email me at lightpaths@me.com again with the Subject line “Story”.

And Shhhhhh!

Regina Maria Cross

Keep track of your timing. If folks say Yes and live line gets close, send out another e-mail to remind them of the first e-mail. Mine went like this: 

(Please feel free to Copy and Paste for use editing as your needs apply)

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Good Morning Good Writers,

Remember this below? Surely you do. 

Just another reminder….Your individual stories are due a week today, January 23rd. Already stories have come in that are wonderfully personal, not meaning intimate, meaning unique, as no one else has the same memory, even if it is the same moment in life, as the next person. Think of just a moment in time you had with Richard. You may imagine it to be too small a thought, a pass the ketchup for the hot dog split second, yet you have no idea how it may touch the hearts of Terry, Brendan and Erin. Be it a short write or a dissertation, it is yours and only yours.

Thank you again from my heart to yours for your participation.

Be in touch if you have any questions = email is above and phone = 410-490-5584 

(Leave a message if I don't pick up and I’ll ring you up)

And above all else….Shhhhhhhhhhh!

Regina Maria

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A week later I sent another e-mail reminder:

(Please feel free to Copy and Paste for use editing as your needs apply)

Hello and Good Morning Wonderful Writers,

A quick reminder as today is the day for your Stories to be submitted for the special book to be presented to Terry, Brendan and Erin on May 4th this year.

Please know no matter how tiny you may think your story to be in regard to the world at large, it is a very BIG front page news story in the world of those who love the man one calls Husband - Best Friend and two call Dad. 

If you are receiving this call to write it is because I purposefully sought you out for the important person you are in the life of one, two or all three persons and the difference your story will make in their lives no matter how tiny you may think the memory is in yours.

Thank you to those of you who have answered the call. Your stories are most wonderful, awesome, heart tickling and endearing.

And remember….Shhhhhh!

Regina Maria

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Once all the stories start coming in EDIT. I know I said I wouldn’t and I didn’t regarding the story itself, nor grammar. I did edit spelling. Curly Girl Publications is a professional business and I want our books to shine with truth, love and inspiration not boo-boos. 

As stories came in I placed a 💟 emoji in front of the person’s name. At a glance I knew who had sent a story and who had yet to do so. That simple sign told me I had received the story. 

Now we get into the publication business. What format do you want to use? What size book do you want? How many pages? Glossy or plain? Spiral or bound? All your decisions and whatever decision you make is perfect. I knew I wanted Traditional Novel versus Landscape format. Apple has various Templates for such decision making. I knew I wanted a 5.25 x 8.25 size book. It fits easily into a purse, folder, on a book shelf or coffee table. How many pages depends upon how many stories and photographs you receive. I knew because of the photographs I wanted glossy paper. I knew I desired a spiral binding because I wanted the readers to be able to place the book in their lap, flat on a table or hold it in their hands easily so as to relax into the memory without thinking about how to hold the book open without loosing their place or thought. I wanted my Sister and her Children’s experience to be an endearing, effortless, tranquil voyage of heart and soul.

What about Font and Pica? I chose Times New Roman for the Font because it is easy on the eyes. I chose 12 Pica, not too small, not too big, for the stories themselves. I did tell each writer to Title their stories. Titles I set in Times New Roman Bold Pica 14. Simple. The Headings of Book Title and Authors, Dedication (Who are you dedicating this book to), Prologue (Introduction, Forward, Preface - Why the book is in existence) and Table of Contents pages are all in Book Antiqua Bold Pica 28. You want a change of Font so as to excite your eyes. Another feature to draw the eyes in is the incidental use of filigree where it makes sense to dot the white space and say this ends That and begins This.

Layout, think about the pages flowing from one narrative to another escorted by the appropriate photographs. Remember to number your pages. Folks may want to refer to a particular story on a particular page when sharing their memories. I placed the stories in alphabetical order by Title as much as possible. If someone wrote more than one story I kept all their stories together.

Front and Back Covers: What is the purpose of your Memory Book? What do you want to convey and how do you want to entice someone to pick it up and read it? Your choice of photograph, Font, Pica, Color will to that. For the Front Cover I wanted to show a photograph, one of my favorite, of Terry and Richard, in which upon seeing it you could breathe in their love. On the Back Cover I wanted the most recent joyful photograph that for me tells everyone from Rick, “I’m fine. All is well. I’m happy. And Yes, I miss you too.”

Good Job! The big stuff is done! Now, where to have in printed? We have a fabulous Copy Zone Print Shop at the University here in our town. Check your University or College. You may take it to UPS Print Shops or you may have a specific print shop in your town. Get a proof copy before a big count. Make sure that proof copy is everything you want the final copy to be. 

EDIT - EDIT - EDIT your work. Proof everything above. Make sure your gift is exactly what you want it to be. I had decided to sell The Rick We Know to the Authors and anyone else who may want to buy it. I made that decision knowing I could have Terry choose a charity that both she and Rick donated to. Curly Girl Publications always gives a percentage of our book sales to an endearing charitable organization. It’s part of who we are. In so doing this uplifting book also becomes a gift to other’s in need. Terry choose Doctor’s Without Boarders. 

Again I used an emoji for those who wanted to buy a book. 

One emoji 📘 = one book. Two emoji 📘📘 = two books and so on. 

For those who bought a book or two and I mailed it to them I used another emoji 📫 once I mailed it. Simple - Simple - Simple. Love the Simple!

I sent an E-mail to those interested in purchasing the book. 

(Please feel free to Copy and Paste for use editing as your needs apply)

My letter went like this:

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June 14, 2023

Dear The Rick We Know Writers,

Hope all of you are well and enjoying Spring 2023.

Many of you have already purchased your copy of The Rick We Know. I am thrilled that you have called and/or written your heartfelt happiness with the book as it tickles your memories and as several of you have noted, apprised you of a few little ditties you didn’t know about Rick. The whole process continues to bring a smile to my face. Terry, Brendan and Erin are still in awe.

For those of you who were among the same group saying “YES, I want a copy”, this is your gentle reminder to hop on over to curlygirlpublications.com and purchase your copy.

To those of you who did not say one way or the other, now is your chance as we printed a few extras just in case you jumped off the fence. Now, you too, jump on over to curlygirlpublications.com claiming your copy of The Rick We Know.

Remember, the more books sold, the higher donation we can send to Doctor’s Without Boarders, Terry’s choice of Charity.

Meanwhile take care of yourself and each other.

Blessings all Day and into the Night,

Rev. Regina Maria Cross, MS

No doubt you have already thought how you want to present your special Memory book. Create the moment as you want it to be in your dreams. Gifting a Memory Book is a soulful endeavor that fills one’s heart with Joy. Congratulate yourself for a deeply sincere mission of love well done and smile.

Once your Memory Book is in the hands of those it is created for, write a Thank You Note to all those who were involved in creating such a precious gift. 

(Please feel free to Copy and Paste for use editing as your needs apply)

My letter went like this:

Dear Shhhhhhh Project Writers,

This morning at 11:00 am Eastern time, one year to the day of Richard’s passing, you may have felt the rush of Angel’s Wings as Terry, Brendan and Erin by loving hands and hearts were gifted the soulful book you assisted in birthing, The Rick We Know - An Anthology of Richard Lee Shea. Through your warmhearted stories, photographs and silent energies you shared in this Shhhhhhh Project you are Healers in Heart.

Last December Spirit came through speaking of the possibility and opportunity of being a Healer Helper through the creation of a Memory Book for Terry, Brendan and Erin to cherish through their journey in grief. You have made the possibility a reality. To say I am grateful is lacking in language yet know I am deeply in awe of your contributions toward a joyful touch into the healing path Terry, Brendan and Erin continue to walk through the doorways of their “new normal” honoring their love for Richard, Beloved Husband and Dad.

Dear, gloriously supportive friend and neighbor, Linda D. presented the book to Terry at the same time Juju, Brendan’s Wife and Dan, Erin’s Husband, bestowed the book upon them. The inbreathe when they first saw the front cover was held until they realized the enormity of love allowing for the out breathe of sheer tenderness they held in their hands, The Rick We Know - An Anthology of Richard Lee Shea.

You too may take the out breathe as you have held the silence for four months. Four months! 

My friends, I do believe this tells you, you can do anything. Your silence has caused a Blessing! 

On this day of solemn remembrance you have given them reason to celebrate. Now, talk aloud amongst yourselves, hug yourselves, hug the person next to you and salute your good heart.

As many of you have requested your copy, as of 12:01 am May 5th, on curlygirlpublications.com you may purchase your copy (copies). Remember all profits go directly to the charity of Terry’s choice as neither Randy Gibson, my Angel Agent Wingman, nor myself are taking Royalties or Commissions. For both of us this publication is about the love we all share in the good work we have completed. We hope you too totally enjoy the stories told interspersed with the photos of life in this “A life well lived lovingly printed in hand forever imprinted in heart” Memory Book.

Know forever we are amazed and grateful for your contributions of making it so while being a part of Curly Girl Publications Mission Statement, “Healing Humanity One Book At A Time”.

Namaste’

Rev. Regina Maria Cross, MS , TRMT (Genie / Gee’ / Beaners / Gigi)