DEAR FRIENDS:
If there is anything I’ve learned through the years, it’s that life has a way of interrupting my carefully laid plans. When I came up with the idea for the novel that would eventually become Heart of Gold, I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to get it written. Not because the story would be hard to write (well, no more so than any of my previous books), but because I was in for a series of trials—shattering three bones in my ankle, an injury that would remain non-weight-bearing for several months; the death of my beloved mother at the age of ninety-six; and finally a cancer diagnosis followed by surgery and treatment. All of which laid waste to my writing schedule. To say that I learned over the course of those months to lean into God and to trust Him in a whole new way is a gross understatement.
I have long been a person who knows how to worry like a dog over a bone. I can chew and stew and fret and fuss with the best of them. But something happened to me in the aforementioned life storms—I was at peace.
Oh, it wasn’t fun to go through the broken ankle, and I certainly had moments when I wondered how I was going to pay the mounting medical bills. But even when my brain asked, “How will I manage?” my heart answered, “Trust God.” I wasn’t afraid. I pressed in and pressed on (which, not surprisingly, were the words God had given to me at the start of 2010). I pressed into Jesus and pressed on in faith.
Of course I deeply grieved the passing of my mom. She was always there for me, every moment, every step, every day of my life. She was the best example of what it means to be a woman of faith. She was also my greatest fan and cheerleader. Even in those last months of her life when she was so frail and her mind was no longer sharp, she always introduced me to others like this: “This is my daughter Robin. She’s an author. She writes wonderful books.” Yes, I will always miss my mom. And yet I had peace with her passing, for I knew without a doubt that she was and is with her Savior, free of pain and the restrictions of a physical body grown old and tired.
But the complete and utter peace that blanketed me from that first moment I heard the doctor say, “It’s cancer”—and the peace that stayed with me every moment after that—was unmistakably an act of a merciful God. So much so that there was no room left for worry and doubt to push their way in. The Comforter had come, and I could be at rest.
Well, finally and at last—and with the help and guidance of my wonderful and very patient editors—Heart of Gold did get written. I don’t know if it is different than the book it might have been had I not passed through those life storms in 2010 and 2011. However, I imagine it must be somewhat different since I am somewhat different. I hope it’s a story that you’ve enjoyed reading.
I have a couple of historical notes to share with you:
First, I took creative license in regard to the telegraph being present in the Boise Basin in 1864. Although telegraphy may have existed between towns in the territory (the Civil War was the first war where the commanders in chief received quick updates on battles, thanks to the telegraph), I was unable to rule it in or out. However, research tells me the first telegraph wires from outside the territory didn’t arrive into Idaho until 1866.
Second, I also took creative license with Confederate Captain Rufus Henry Ingram, the Red Fox. There is no historical data that I found saying he was ever in Idaho Territory. The “gentlemanly robber” did escape capture in California in the late spring of 1864 and he did reportedly make it back to Missouri. I saw no reason for him not to continue his efforts to steal treasure that was being shipped out of the gold camps in Idaho before going back to the South.
In closing, I would like to tell you how much the e-mails and Facebook messages and comments on my blog meant to me during the above-mentioned life storms. I will forever be grateful for the prayers of so many readers, especially those who make up my prayer team. You have shared wisdom and comfort and laughter with me over and over and over again. You’re still sharing all of that with me today, and I am filled with thanksgiving to God for each one of you. How very amazing that the Lord has given me an abundance of friends, most of whom I shall not meet this side of heaven.
At the end of my cancer treatments, I told some family and friends that I was looking forward to life returning to normal and that I wouldn’t even mind a period of boring. My brother told me I shouldn’t ask for boring because that would mean I wasn’t living. He’s right. Better to embrace it all as an adventure, especially since I know that God has plans for my life, plans for my future, plans that give me hope. He has wonderful and unique plans for you as well.
So now it’s time to get back to work on my next book. I must see what sort of mischief I can stir up for a particular hero and heroine. Because, after all, they need to embrace the adventure right along with you and me.
In the grip of His grace,
Robin
www.robinleehatcher.com