Salute Your Inner Armadillo by Reese Mobley

The most unusual thing in my office has to be the stuffed armadillo. Not stuffed as in once alive and now not so much thanks to the local taxidermist. No, my armadillo is soft, gray and furry--much like my husband. It was a gift from my dearest friend, Pat. (the stuffed animal--not my dh)

We were in Dallas attending an RWA conference and we'd just listened to a speaker from Texas report on the massive weather condition that had destroyed her part of the country and the one thing that seemed to survive and even thrive were the armadillos. As a person who is easily moved to tears, I remember her speech was quite moving and motivating. The whole point was that if the critters could survive such devastation that as writers, we should try to be more like them.

Resilient, thick-skinned and strong enough to adapt to the ever-changing landscape.

Pat found the stuffed armadillo in the gift shop and rewarded it to me along with a note reminding me to always be strong. Like the armadillo. I look at that critter every day and know that even though I don't look like an armadillo, even if I squint really hard, I can have the same characteristics. I can be tough. I can be an armadillo.

Hugs,
Reese