Guardian

FF Chapter 7 — Celebrating Collaboration

The sacrifice that
Precedes triumph, too often
The story untold
~Harper Thorpe

Dear Harper,

Who to ask?
There wasn’t an obvious choice.
A story — about a storytelling plant who raises a butterfly — left me with a feeling of unease. Flourishing Fictions is a book for adults, not children.

What will people think?

I ran the tale by my editor and she felt the story was a keeper. Perhaps a bit out there, but a growth opportunity — for me and the readers. As I associated 26 stories with friends and family and asked them to contribute, Guardian’s index card stood alone—without a collaborator.

Until… your name crossed my awareness.

A few clock hand spins and calendar page turns marked time since we last shared words over on Medium and yet, I immediately felt that as a poet, grandfather, and humorist, you were the perfect match for my story about milkweed and a Monarch butterfly named Faith. When I reached out with my request, your reply was swift, generous, and enthusiastic.

I was delighted!
Thank you for being a part of Flourishing Fictions: Possibilities from A to Z.

As I write this letter, I keep remembering what it was that drew me to you… your vulnerability and willingness to share Leslie’s warrior journey. So powerful. I hope in some way it brings you joy to hear that Leslie lives on inside of me… I haven’t forgotten her life and your sharing of her light.

You make me want to be a better person.

Gratitude and Love,

Gail