I want
you to get to know some of the characters of my novel Claiming Peace, Book 3 in the Caney Creek Series. This is the last interview of characters in
Claiming Peace. You can leave
comments if you want. I think this might help you when you read my novel to
know how these characters feel as they move through the story. If you leave a comment on this blog that is
totally related to the interview I'll give you an extra entry in the next
Thursday book drawing.
Today
I’m talking with Callie Gray in Newton, Tennessee.
Hello, Callie. Is Arthur Gray your husband?
Yes,
he is.
Are Jennifer and Art Gray your children?
Yes.
They are blessings from God.
I’ve talked with them. They seem to be good
kids.
They
are. We’ve had a little trouble with Art but we think that’s all behind us. And
Jennifer has given us no problems at all – yet.
I understand you’re related to Jim Callaway
who owns the hosiery mill.
That’s
correct. Jim married my sister, Louisa. She died when their daughter, Lynn, was
two years old. Besides us, Jim has a lot of family and friends here. We all
helped him raise Lynn and now she’s in college at Knoxville.
I believe you have a college student at
your house as well. How’s Art doing?
Such
a turnaround he’s made. He’s doing well in college. That’s especially
significant since he admitted to hating high school. He’s studying now and even
his personality has changed for the better.
Good news like that is always welcome.
However, Arthur and the children tell me you’re dealing with some personal
health problems. They didn’t go into any details but how are you doing?
I’ll
give you a few details. Last spring a neurologist is Birmingham diagnosed me
with a rare, progressive brain disease. There is no known cause and no known cure. The
doctor tells me my disease is progressing faster than he expected.
I’m sorry you’re experiencing that.
Thank
you. I have good days and bad days, just like everyone else. The family and I
just take it day by day. My family and friends are being helpful.
Yes, I spoke with Emmajean who said she and
Caroline were spending time with you.
That’s
right. I’m grateful for their help. Everyone in our family is eager to help
when I’m having a bad day. A bad day for me is when I lose my balance so badly
that I fall. It’s really humiliating to depend on help at a time like that.
It probably is. But those around you want
to help. They expect you to call on them when you need them. I hope you will do
that.
I’ve
promised them I will. I don’t know how long it will take for the end to get
here. That’s why it’s so important for my family and me to take each day as it
comes and pray for God’s strength and comfort for what lies ahead.
Callie, you have such an upbeat attitude. I
can hear it in your voice. I hope you have many good days ahead.
Thank
you. By the way, that’s Arthur and me on the cover of the book.
The winner of last Thursday's
blog post for a copy of Crossfire by Jodie
Bailey is rubynreba. I'll
email you. Thanks all for commenting. Watch for more book giveaways.
If you have any suggestions for content of my Monday blog posts, please leave them in the comment section below.
Till next time … keep
on smiling.