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ASK  SOMEONE  TO  TELL  YOU  THEIR  STORY

1/6/2020

36 Comments

 
I’m excited to introduce you to my guest blogger and dear friend, Tamara Bundy. Tammy and I both have four kids (two girls and two boys each), husbands who work at Miami University, a love for coffee, books and Jesus, and a passion to write stories. Tammy’s newest title releases January 14, and in the blog this week she writes about something God taught her while writing Pixie Pushes On and she's giving away a free copy of her book (keep reading for details).

Only God could turn a trip to the hospital into an uplifting trip down memory lane. My dad had been in the hospital with, yet another case of pneumonia caused by his compromised lungs due to his Inclusion Body Myositis. We had gotten used to this rotation of hospital stays–at least as much as one can get used to it. But no matter how used to it you pretend to be, sitting with someone you love in a hospital room, while they are hooked up to beeping machines, looking older than you remember them to be, is hard. 
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My mom and dad both grew up on farms during the 1940’s, but they moved to the city when they got married. Because I grew up a city-kid, I remember being amazed at the farm stories they told—stories about my dad driving tractors as soon as he could see over the steering wheel. Stories of my mom’s favorite lamb, Buster. When it came time to write my second middle grade novel, I knew I wanted it to take place in that setting –and I knew it would have a lamb named Buster.

As I added the fictional elements to the story –such as my main character’s sister having polio, I wanted to ground it in more realities of my parents’ childhoods. That’s when I realized how poorly I’d been listening all those years. Sure, I’d heard their basic stories –but when you’re growing up, you assume you’ll have your parents (and their stories) your whole life. You imagine you’ll always be able to ask them important (and unimportant) things. 

My parents lived in Columbus and my family lived two hours away in Cincinnati. Our moments of being in the same room at the same time were few. That day in the hospital was a moment I knew God put in front of me. And so, on that winter day, with my worried mom stationed beside Dad, who didn’t want the attention on him, I tried to distract them. I told them about the new book I was writing. And then, in that scary hospital room I asked my mom and dad to tell me about when they were children.
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Pixie Pushes on by Tamara Bundy
I wanted their day-to day details of life on the farm. What did they have for lunch at school? How did they get to school? Did they have bathrooms? Electricity? These were all questions that younger-me never bothered to ask, but older-me not only wanted to take the time, but also desperately wanted to slow it down.  

Then, amidst the din of the machines helping my dad breathe, another sound blissfully prevailed. This sound of youthful stories of milking cows, gathering eggs, tending gardens. Mom and Dad were no longer 80-something-year-old’s watching their lives slip away. My mom became, again, the ten-year-old chasing the fuzzy little lamb she bottle-fed. My dad, once more, was in fifth grade having to eat the cold, slimy fried-egg sandwich he didn’t like, but had to eat because, as my grandma told him, “If the chickens are laying eggs, we’re eating eggs.”

My parents remembered. They talked and talked.  I swear, they even giggled. If possible, they physically grew younger in front of me. And I wrote down every exquisite detail I could manage through the happy tears gathering in my eyes.

My dad passed away not long after that treasured afternoon. 

On January 14, the book I was writing, Pixie Pushes On releases from Nancy Paulsen Books. And yes, I am thrilled to have readers meet Pixie, her Granddaddy, Grandma, Sissy, Daddy –and her lamb named Buster. But most of all, I am filled with joy that if I look closely between the lines of this story, I can see traces of my parents’ childhoods. And within those pages, they will stay young forever. 
My dad wouldn’t mind that attention at all. I imagine he would even say, “That’s fine and dandy.”​
​
(click here to listen to the song "Fine and Dandy" written and performed by Tamara's kids a.k.a. The Bundys, in honor of Tamara's dad)
Picture
Tamara Bundy (middle) and her parents.
If you are blessed to have older people in your life – ask them about their childhoods, their special memories. You don’t have to be writing a book. You just have to ask. And then listen.  Listen as the years melt away. Listen to their stories. Maybe you’ll even decide to write some of the memories down. 

It’s never too late. Start today, start now. Ask God to guide you. Afterall, He managed to turn a hospital trip into an uplifting trip down memory lane, leaving me with a precious memory that is, indeed, one for the books. 

To win an autographed copy of Tammy’s Pixie Pushes On leave a comment in the comment section below of the blog. One winner will be selected by number randomizer on January 13. Open to continental U.S. residents only.

Tamara Bundy is a children’s book author as well as the author of several non-fiction inspirational books. A former columnist for the Cincinnati Post, she currently teaches English and Creative Writing at Miami University. You can follow her on all social media platforms as well as at www.tamarabundy.com
36 Comments
Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/6/2020 06:24:51 am

Thank you, dear, dear friend --for sharing with me your blog and your platform --but most importantly, your friendship and love! Your help on this writing journey --and this journey called life --make it even more wonderful. Love you!

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Laura L. Smith link
1/6/2020 07:18:07 am

I am so blessed to know you! Your joy and kindness warm my heart and urge me on! How great is our God to have introduced us!!!!

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Sarah L
1/6/2020 05:59:27 pm

My students and I love Walking With Miss Millie! Can’t wait to read this one!

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Laura L. Smith link
1/7/2020 09:39:42 am

Sarah,
I love Walking With Miss Millie, too! You're going to love Pixie Pushes On! It's wonderful!!!

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/8/2020 05:38:39 am

Thank you, Laura Smith -for helping my writing (and me) be better!

Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/8/2020 05:36:57 am

Thank you for the kind words, Sarah! And thank you for all you do!

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Donna Marie Robinault
1/8/2020 04:32:59 am

This is a lovely story. I wish my parents were still here, so many thngs I'd like to know about their lives. I really appreciate the blog.

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/8/2020 05:42:06 am

I understand, Donna. I still reach for my phone to ask my dad something. May you find comfort in the memories you do have.

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Lisa Freson
1/8/2020 04:46:42 am

Can’t wait to read it!

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/8/2020 05:42:30 am

Hope you love it, Lisa!

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Laura L. smith link
1/8/2020 07:02:38 am

It's a wonderful read, Lisa!

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Holly Wilford
1/8/2020 05:28:17 am

Great and timely reminders about intentionality with others! Thank you!

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/8/2020 05:43:56 am

Thank you, Holly. It's a lesson I need to relearn on a daily basis.

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Laura L. Smith link
1/8/2020 07:03:30 am

Holly, whose story would you most want to hear?

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Sara H
1/8/2020 06:36:45 am

Oxford is so small and yet I'm learning about another author in our midst, thank you. I can't wait to read this with my grandchildren as their dad grew up/worked on Grandpa's farm. Good discussions to come.

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Laura L. Smith link
1/8/2020 07:04:28 am

Sara, yes! This is a great book to read aloud to kiddos!

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/8/2020 07:14:40 am

Oh, I love that Sara! Bringing families together to read and then share their own precious stories is one reason I write.

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Ingrid
1/8/2020 07:26:35 am

I love reading about your experience with your parents in the hospital room, Tamara. Your account of those moments brought tears to my eyes. I look forward to reading your book (s) to my granddaughters! God bless you!

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/8/2020 08:23:06 am

Thank you, Ingrid! And may God bless you with many precious hours of reading (and just being with!) your granddaughters.I'm thrilled to say that God is blessing me this spring with my first grandchild.

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Brandi Gallaway
1/8/2020 11:54:42 am

What age group is the book for?
It sounds amazing either way. I love the reminder to stop, listen, and treasure those around us. I can tell that your style of writing will capture and keep my attention. I am happy that you got to have that moment with your parents.

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Laura L. Smith link
1/8/2020 12:06:16 pm

Brandi, this is middle grade fiction.

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/8/2020 12:42:09 pm

Thank you, Brandi, for your kind words. Like Laura said, it is middle grade. My last middle grade novel was read in grades third-sixth --and I even had a few adult book clubs who read it and loved it. Hope you love it, too.

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Joan McNutt
1/8/2020 11:55:47 am

I just read this blog and my heart actually skipped a beat. Yes, I am Tammy's mother (and also Buster's mother!) The story is so precious to me and this blog just was icing on the cake. Laura, I have never met you but feel like I know you. Someday we will meet. Tammy is a great writer and daughter and I love her very much. Thanks for writing this book Tammy and I will treasure it and the way it came into being.

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Laura L. Smith link
1/8/2020 12:05:18 pm

Joan, I feel like I know you, too! Tammy is such a blessing in my life! Sending hugs your way!

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/8/2020 12:43:47 pm

Mom, you are my #1 fan --and I would have it no other way. Thank you for sharing Buster with me --and all of us. Love you!

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Cindy Howell
1/8/2020 12:38:56 pm

Tammy,
I am so glad to know you and your family. I have good memories of those days of our boys and baseball. We really enjoyed your visit to our school this past spring. Can’t wait to get this book for the kids to read. (And me!)
Love you,
Cindy Howell

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/8/2020 01:13:45 pm

Thank you, Cindy --for your kind words and your support. I can't wait for you to read Pixie's story, too. And yes --where did those sweet little baseball players go? Hope you are feeling better!

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Sue
1/8/2020 11:29:46 pm

Would love to win an autographed copy

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/12/2020 11:31:29 am

Thanks, Sue --good luck!

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David Smith
1/12/2020 11:27:04 am

I have been (somewhat patiently) waiting for this book since it was announced months ago! I absolutely loved Walking with Miss Millie and am anxious to see the follow-up. Plus, I love the cover!

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/12/2020 11:32:24 am

Aw, thanks, David. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one.

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Laura L. Smioth link
1/13/2020 07:55:31 am

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. The winner is Cindy Howell! For those of you who didn't win, Pixie Pushes On is available this week at all book retailers!

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/13/2020 08:05:49 am

Congrats, Cindy! I will get your book to you!

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Cindy Howell
1/14/2020 11:58:03 am

Thanks for the special delivery!!📚

Cindy Howell
1/14/2020 11:56:22 am

THANKS. I am so excited to win a copy! I have ordered one for our school library.

I was excited to see you Tammy today!! Thanks for delivering in person.

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Tamara Lyn Bundy link
1/14/2020 12:14:29 pm

You and the kids made me feel like I was Steve Harvey delivering a Publisher's Clearing House check! It did my heart good. Thanks for all you do for reading!




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