A TIME TO REST, REFLECT AND KEEP LOVING

Hey, Everyone—

After two wonderful years of sharing people’s stories and my own journey here—and fulfilling so many creative dreams, especially this week—I’ve decided to take time away from this space to rest, reflect and see where the path leads next.

I’m not quite sure what’s ahead, or if I’ll return here, but I’m excited to explore and create again when the time feels right. Thank you all for the support along the way. It means so much.

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A HIDDEN MESSAGE FROM THE PAST

Before I go, I want to share something I found while clearing out unposted comments on my blog—hidden, forgotten words buried in the digital trash.

Most were spam, just broken entries so I trashed them all permanently. But one stood out.

It was dated April 7, 2025 and was an unposted comment on the blog post It’s The People (see https://graceatherton.com/its-the-people/ ). 

No known sender name or email, just this line:

“25th century – and  Nicholas Jarry.”

Curious, I looked up the name and date and found a touching story about a man who spent a small fortune having poems written, then done in calligraphy by Nicholas Jarry, and commissioning artists to paint flowers around them. He compiled it all into a beautiful book and secretly gave it to a girl on her birthday. Four years later he finally won her over and she said yes.

I don’t know if that comment was meant for me—or just meant to be found. But it was beautiful, made me cry and came at the right time. It reminded me that some stories take time, and that love finds quiet ways to linger.

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WAITING AND WHISPERED PROMISES

In my heart, I related to the girl who took time.

It brought me back to mid December, when an eagle flew straight across my windshield (I even took a pic) and I sensed God whisper to “Wait”— and then I continued seeing the words or reference to Isaiah 40:31…

Waiting has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It has come with tears, prayers, choosing joy and learning to leave a door open with the possibility of hope while still fighting to keep my heart soft.

At the same time, I felt the weight of releasing this book—something I carried for years—to those of you standing where I once stood.

I could almost hear your cries (and those who are reading to give or help others) as I wrote.

Now, hearing back from many of you, I know it wasn’t imagined. Your private messages, your healing—hearing about it has touched my heart deeply and in ways lifted a burden.

I finally feel I’ve released all I was supposed to do and write for now.

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GRATITUDE AND NEW BEGINNINGS

The book is out in its forever format so I finally feel released to begin to tend to other areas of life.

Per my Moderator’s recommendation, I am sharing this update with you: The last time I checked the distributor’s platform, we reached 10th place across platforms. The distributor handles all orders, so I don’t see who’s purchasing paid copies, even though I always encourage downloading the free version (not included in these numbers). This kind of ranking wasn’t something we ever planned or pursued, but it happened because of all of you. Thank you.

In my heart, I just want to stay faithful to the best of my ability in the best way I can.

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LOVE, BEAUTY & FLOWERS

Today’s story—along with that mysterious comment—reminds me that what’s meant to be always finds a way in the end.

That everything is beautiful in its time.

That many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.

And that if a person gave all they owned for love, it would still be counted as nothing. —Song of Solomon 8:7

A few days after the comment above, I found another unposted comment under a different email— with pages and pages of flower bouquets that could be shipped anywhere.

I scrolled through them, smiling, remembering my grandmother (to read more about my grandmother see Dreams In Unlikely Places visit: https://graceatherton.com/dreams-in-unlikely-places/ ), to whom my book is dedicated, and our shared love of flowers.

They were beautiful and brightened my day…  And again I wonder where they came from or again if they were just meant to be found.

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THANK YOU & STAYING CONNECTED

It feels good to finally share what my heart’s been holding—things I usually only pour out to God… Thanks for listening.

Since my grandmother—my second confidant—passed away, I’ve kept a lot quiet.

But stories like this remind me why I’ve loved being here the past two years.

From posts like Sparkling Dreams ( see https://graceatherton.com/sparkling-dreams/ about the eclipse and the diamond) to When Did the Stars Stop Shining? (see https://graceatherton.com/when-did-the-star-stop-shining/), I’ve found beauty often arrives when we least expect it even through unknown comments.

While I’m away if you want to read the story I mentioned about the name and century—you can find it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guirlande_de_Julie.

Also while I’m away, here are ways to stay connected with books, stories, art, and music I’ve shared: 

• eBook – Hooves Touch the Wind
  Free e-reader download —
  → Download here
• Hard Copy – Hooves Touch the Wind
  Available for purchase –
  → Order your copy
• Resiliency Painting – Hooves Touch the Wind
  Inspired by the story — Order your own print
  → Purchase here
• Original Music From This Project – 
• • Hooves Touch the Wind
  → Watch here
• • Don’t Dim Your Shine
  → Watch here

Thank you again for walking this launch journey with me.

My moderator will be around periodically for any urgent requests.

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UNTIL LATER

Take care of yourself.

Take time to smell the flowers.

Be kind (something my grandmother taught me which sometimes takes the most strength), have courage, keep your heart open and soft,

And KEEP SHINING. 

-Grace