TO RETURN TO ANDREA'S WEB SITE, CLICK HERE: www.andreaboeshaar.com

Monday, May 6, 2013

In just a few days, I’ll give birth to my third and final book in my Fabric of Time series, titled Threads of Love. The very next day, my daughter-in-law will give birth to my fifth grandchild – WHOO-HOO! Unless another is chosen at the last minute, her name will either be Ashleigh Faith or Jenna Faith – my vote is for the later, that is if my vote counts.  *smile*

I had the privilege of sitting in on one of my daughter-in-law’s ultrasounds and the baby turned just at the right time and I saw her little face! I told my son, who sat beside me, that she resembles her sister Alyson (who is 2 1/2). What a thrill to get a peek inside the womb at my granddaughter! 

My granddaughter -- coming soon!
Way back in the stone ages (ha, ha…) when I delivered my three sons, ultrasounds weren't common practice unless doctors felt that there was something wrong with the baby. Epidurals weren't given on a regular basis either. Funny, how I recall my mother and mother-in-law peppering me with stories about when they gave birth to their children in hospital maternity wards – forget about that having your own birthing suite business. Back in the 1950s women had roommates! Hospitals had visiting hours. Female nurses wore white dresses and caps.

My, my, but times do change!
My great-grandmother  and her sons
(including my grandfather,
sitting in front of the dog).

In my novel Threads of Love, readers can see how much has changed since 1902, the year in which the story is set. I had so much fun writing this novel because my great-grandparents were married in the year 1900. My grandfather was born in 1906. The early 1900s are years I just can remember – not because I lived them, obviously, but because of the tales I heard from my grandfather and grandmother and others as well as the pictures I still have today.

I believe handing stories down from one generation to the next is biblical. Take a look at Psalm 78:5-7 (ESV):

He established a testimony in Jacob
    and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
    to teach to their children,
 that the next generation might know them,
    the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
    so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
    but keep his commandments;

While it's fact that not everything I heard from older relatives was godly, all of it worked together for God’s good in bringing me to Him. 

We learn from the past – which is why birthing both a new book and a new baby is so much more pleasant today than a century – or even 50 years ago. Wouldn't you agree?

I’d love to hear from you -- and you can win a FREE, signed (paperback) copy of Threads of Love. Simply leave a comment along with your email address and you’ll be entered into the contest. I’ll select a winner on Thursday -- and I'll tell you all about my brand new granddaughter, so be sure to stop back!!



*Threads of Love will be available after May 8th in traditional print and e-book formats. Ask for it at your favorite bookstore or order it online!

5 comments:

My Recent Favorite Books said...

Congratulations on the new book and your new Grandaughter! =)

I love the photos!

Ginger Solomon said...

I love history. One of my grandfathers was born in 1875. Unfortunately, he passed before I was born and none of his stories were passed on. My mom never wanted to talk much about her growing up years :( and now she too has passed.

If your parents/grandparents are still available to you, go, listen to their stories, write them down. Even if YOU don't care, someone who comes after you might, and they'll thank you profusely. I wish someone had done it for me.

Congrats on the new blessing in your family.

Lisa Lickel said...

It is incredible how much things change over the course of a lifetime. Best wishes with this book.

Diane Kalas said...

Congratulations on your new release. I look forward to reading Threads of Love. It's wonderful to be a grandma. I wish I had more than two grandkids. God bless.

LeAnne Hardy said...

What I love about historicals is that they show us real people (like your great grandparents) behind the events we study in school. Congratulations on both births, Andrea! leanne at leannehardy dot net