One of the things I struggled with as I prepared to finish my manuscript is the dedication page. Since I am a beginning writer, there aren’t the agents and publishers and other writer-friends to use as fuel for this sort of thing. I am left, therefore, with the struggle of finding someone to fill my dedication page. Personally, I have looked very closely to my life and found those who have made such a significant difference in my life.
For my first book, I kept is simple and dedicated it to my lovely wife. She encourages me and supports me in so many ways when it comes to my writing. I could not have a better partner in this life. Thus, my dedication reads: For Dana, without whom there would be no purpose. When I finished my second book, I struggled a little. I had already dedicated a book to my most precious benefactor. I know I could do it again but it just didn’t feel right to me.
The whole thought process stretched me a bit. I began thinking of friends and former friends, parents, siblings, and the like. There was only one person who has impacted my life as much as my lovely wife — my son Sean. He came to my life in an unusual way. There was nothing that physically connected us. He was my wife’s son and our hearts just bound themselves of their own accord.
So, I knew who would own the dedication but I also wanted to speak of how it had come about. I wanted – nay I needed – to tell the world what he meant to me. Then, the muses injected me with poetry and out came a short verse that explained it all.
For my son, Sean,
It is not by blood that parenthood came to me.
The bindings of our hearts were there for all to see.
What is this thing that’s stronger than a gene?
A gift — for God doth intervene.
Sean went home to God on February 26, 2018. Though he is not physically here, his impact on my life has been tremendous. I still feel him when he hugs my heart and I get verklempt and I still am amazed at all he taught me about being his dad. Miss you, Sean!
Thank you for the privilege of your time.
Jeffrey Martineau, Author 