My newest book, A Calculated Risk, opens in a very unusual setting – a funeral. Certainly not the typical scene to hook the readers and make them want to keep turning the page. But it is at this funeral the male lead’s small and unexpected act of kindness causes the heroine to begin to realize there may be much more to his character than she’d initially thought.
I was in Pensacola, Florida a few days ago to attend my uncle’s funeral. No, I didn’t meet my prince charming this week. But I did witness hundreds of people making small and unexpected acts of kindness out of respect for the deceased and those of us mourning our loss. And our whole family was so appreciative. From the moment we left the parking lot of the funeral home, through every stop sign and street light as we wove our way through town, and until we pulled into the cemetery overlooking the bay, every single car in traffic stopped. Even though some streets were several lanes across with a median dividing directional traffic, the other drivers waited until the entire procession had passed. No one seemed irate that they might be a few minutes late getting to their destination. No one sped away as soon as the hearse passed by. It was truly impressive.
So I would like to say thank you. First to the deputies with the Sherriff’s department, who moved in tandem with such precision as they cleared a path and got us safely to the grave site. And next I want to thank the citizens and general public of the city of Pensacola. It was a small thing. But by pausing patiently in traffic, you showed respect and compassion.
It didn’t go unnoticed.
