Monday, April 20, 2020

The Virtual Launch of my debut spiritual book, Hope Upon Impact: A Miraculous True Story of Faith, Love & God’s Goodness, was so exciting for me last night! Thank you to everyone who took the plunge to figure out Zoom (although you lucky attendees didn’t have to appear on camera!) to show your support and demonstrate your interest in my book – which is published today – Monday, April 20, 2020. Two years ago my family woke up on a typical spring day, but would go to sleep that night forever changed. I believe God brings good from all things. We are changed in the way of a deeper faith in God’s love and power, trust in his will, and with hope alive in our hearts. Thank you for uniting with the Overlease family’s good as your goal
following Evelyn’s accident. You buoyed us with the power of prayers and generous actions. Together, we may join forces as a faith community and make a difference by serving the needs of those in crisis.

I was so nervous to go live on the webinar last night to speak, read, participate in Q/A, and share a personal video (Thanks, Vivian, for your voiceover!). A lot of time and energy went into preparing for the virtual launch. Olivia has been my talented, dependable, drop-everything-to-help-mom, technical manager on the home front. Most recently, from Paraclete Press: Rachel
McKendree, my Publicist; Jenny Lynch, Sr. Estelle Cole, and Sharon Pfeiffer in Marketing; the “talented with technology” – Katie Tingley; and Kristi Ernsting (Compass Communications) – working on KC media; have labored on my behalf to make the launch of Hope Upon Impact a success. Thank you.

Thank you for covering me in prayer leading up to and during the virtual launch. I had to smile when two dear friends from Scripture study texted me with a reminder of the grace of Divine Mercy Sunday and the phrase, “Jesus, I trust in you,” just minutes before I took my seat in front of my laptop with that painting beside me and those words in the notes for my remarks. God wink! A friend texted she was praying the Memorare for me right before 7 PM. I received that inspiring prayer on a pretty, little square of light-blue, painted wood as a birthday gift. To instill peace and remind me of friends’ love, I gave my introductory talk at the launch with it on my laptop. Friendship is a true blessing. When God is added to that relationship through common faith – the gift is elevated.

A high point yesterday was chatting with my little brother Anthony on the phone about tips for presenting alone in a room to a laptop camera. We laughed about the odd sensation of a lack of audience participation from which to feed our energy or assess if our humor is caught. He knew I was apprehensive. Later, I checked texts and unexpectedly heard the beginning chords of Green Day’s Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) on live guitar. I told the story last night, and you’ll be able to watch it on YouTube, but I spontaneously burst into tears and started bawling. I scared Evelyn to death. That song is so powerful to me. The lyrics ring true. It pierces my heart. But yesterday, what the music truly did was convey my brother’s loving support. Anthony knew it would bring me joy to listen to a recording of him playing his guitar and singing. I felt deep love and immense gratitude. I almost lost Ant to leukemia in 2000. I could have lost Evelyn, or the version of Evelyn we had come to know and love, two years ago today.

But, they both remain in my life. Today, we shall celebrate survival. The song with the lyrics “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…” just blared in my head. I may need to ask Olivia to add it to the Spotify playlist she built for me to share songs referenced in Hope Upon Impact with you as an added feature of the virtual book launch. There are some good ones. I hope you enjoy it! Have a family dance party in your kitchen. Those are the best!

When the live feed ended, my family rushed to me, flooding the room with an exuberant burst of cheers and congratulatory wishes. Joy washed over me as they heaped on the praise and wrapped me in hugs. It was a spectacular moment. Then, the doorbell rang. Outside, our neighbors the Carters were clapping and cheering and giving us air hugs from six feet away. It was amazing. I spent the rest of the evening reveling in relief and soaking up warm wishes from many of you. Thank you. I love you. I’m so excited that out of something extremely difficult, Evelyn’s Traumatic Brain Injury, came a book that could impact hearts and spread a message of hope. We could all use a healthy dose of hope right now! “Step off, coronavirus!” This time in world history will be remembered. Our personal response to challenging situations is important because that is all we may control.

Today – April 20, 2020, take extra care to love the ones you’re with. Have an attitude of gratitude for every blessing because this day is a gift. Find the joy.

Have faith. Hope on! God is good.