From Now Until the End of Time

Patricia Davids here.
No mention of the people and things that have shaped and inspired me as a writer would be complete without mentioning Dave. My own true love. My husband has been gone a year now. It doesn't seem possible. It isn't fair. It isn't right, but it is. I still miss him every day and every night.
Fifteen years ago, when I first told him I wanted to write a novel, he said, "I think you'd be good at that." His off-hand acceptance of my until-that-moment-secret-dream was just like him. He didn't believe in hoopla. He firmly believed that if I set my mind to do something, I could do it. He had faith in me. What an awesome gift that is.

He read my first ever chapter and said, "This is good." I was ecstatic. He read my second chapter and said, "Well, this is filler." I was crushed, but he was right. There was more to writing a book than I realized. His honest comment sent me on a search for information and education. That led me to WARA.

I never finished that first book. It was too bad to save. Dave never forgave me for that. He liked that first chapter and he wanted to know how the story ended. He never read a single one of my books. Oh, he tried once, but he preferred stories with vampires, assassins, blood and gore, but he proudly told people that his wife was a romance writer. I can remember how surprised and proud I was when I overheard him bragging on me to his out-of-state cousin.

It wasn't all love and kisses. He didn't like the way deadlines stressed me. He thought editors who made me do rewrites were jerks. More than once he offered to call them and tell them what he thought. I unplugged the phone. He tolerated but didn't like it when I went to conferences or out-of-town book signings. Yet he understood how much I wanted to succeed. Every now and then, he'd walk past me when I was sitting in my office playing freecell or surfing, he'd scowl at me and say, "Shouldn't you be writing?"

Yes, Dear, I should be writing. I'm going to get back to it right after I post this blog. I love you, honey. From now until the end of time.

19 comments:

Pat Davids said...

Post a comment and you'll have a chance to win a free copy of my new release, A HOME FOR HANNAH. I'll pick two lucky winners on Friday July 20.

Kathleen Greffin Popp said...

I would love to win this book! Love your Amish stories Patricia! Thanks for the give-away!
kathibud5038@yahoo.com

Pat Davids said...

Thanks, Kathleen. I'm tickled to know you enjoy my stories.

Joan Vincent said...

It can't have been an easy year but you traveled it with amazing grace. And you inspire with this blog. The next time Vince asks why I'm not writing I'll think of your reply.

loretta said...

I had to smile when I read about your Dave. I know exactly what you speak of.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad he encouraged you .
I'm very sorry for your loss .
I love reading your books ,just finished Dark Crossings .I've been looking for a book of yours I read in paper back some time ago , want to put it on my Kindle & read it again . I'm trying to put every thing I read in paper on Kindle then pass it on to my grand daughter so she can read them .
I'd love to win one of your books .

Reese Mobley said...

Dave was one of a kind. I know how devasted you were. He's got to be so proud of you now! xoxo

Pat Davids said...

Joan,
Thanks for the kind words. It's good to have someone who gives us a push when we need it.

Loretta,
A woman once told me that you can tell if people are in love if they smile when they catch sight of their special someone across a crowded room. Dave always made me smile.

Pat Davids said...

Mary/Mariah,

I love the way I can collect old books on my Kindle. I'm glad you enjoy my stories. Thanks for posting.

Pat Davids said...

Reese,
More than anyone you know how much of a challange my old dog could be. I sure do miss his bark.

Karen G. said...

I have some of your Amish books are on my tbr list and more on my wish list. Would love to win your new book. Thanks you.
Karen
kmgervais@nycap.rr.com

Anonymous said...

Loved your post, Pat. It makes me both happy and sad to read about great love like yours. To have had it is nothing short of amazing, to have lost him is so sad. I know he'll always have that place in your heart though. Thank you for sharing with us.

Nancee said...

Pat, thank you for this generous offer! I'd love to win a copy of this book.
Nancee
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Jane Reeves said...

Love your books, Pat. Would love to win a copy of this book.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Jane Reeves
jewitty@sbcglobal.net

Lcenlow said...

What an incredibly romantic story of your husband. You were very blessed to have him and vice versa. I can see from that where you get the inspiration for romantic stories--having lived it yourself. Thank you for sharing it with us. I would be honored to read your new book!
Lcenlow@sit-co.net

Thanks!

Pat Davids said...

Jane, your name is entered. Good luck.

Lcenlow, I know how lucky I was to have him for 38 years. They weren't all good years but what marriage has that. Once, on our anniversary, he kissed me and said, "I want to thank you for the best 7 years of my life."
I said, "It's been 10 years."
He said, "I know, but three of them sucked."
Even when I wanted to be mad at him, he could make me laugh.

Melissa Robbins said...

I am laughing and crying at the same time. Dave sounds like he was an awesome husband and very supportive.

Lcenlow said...

ROFL that is too cute. Very lucky

Penny Rader said...

Pat, I love hearing your stories about Dave. You were truly blessed to have so much love. I'm so sorry he's no longer here.