Finding Joy In Helping Others

Towards the end of June 2022, while working in my front flowerbed, I had a visitor stop by on his golf cart. I had seen this gentleman before. In our community, he is known for being the guy with the cute blond on the back seat of his golf cart, (his golden retriever, Tappy). Tappy is something of a celebrity around here. That makes Frank recognizable.

So, Frank stopped by and stated that Tama in the office mentioned that I was an illustrator and I could perhaps help him with the book he was writing.

I hated to disappoint Frank, but I’m always honest so I had to tell him, “I’m not an illustrator and I don’t do people.” I added that I paint.

I went into my home and showed him one of my paintings just to make it clear about what it is that I do. However, I did not say “no.”

When my husband was ill, God let me know He wanted me to use my skills as an artist to bring his people closer to Him. Since whatever talent or skill I possess is a gift from Him, I agreed to be His artist, His tool.

My thinking was that if He brought me opportunities to help someone using my skills, then He would also provide me with the ability to help them — even if I don’t do people!

This would be an inside joke between Frank and me as time went on. I agreed to read his book after finishing other projects for other clients. I explained that everything I do, I do from a place of Love. If I fell in love with the story or the characters, I knew that I could connect with God and be able to complete the task of illustrating. I have great faith after all of my trials in this world.

To my surprise, 15 minutes after our first meeting, Frank delivered the book to my porch. It was almost 3 weeks before I was able to get to it.

After I read it, I read it again a couple of more times. I had that feeling… God wanted me to proceed and agree to illustrate Frank’s book.

I had not sketched in decades, but I met Frank at a restaurant in Mendon, Michigan for a first meeting. I was nervous because I didn’t want to let either him or God down. I knew my part would be important! I brought a rather disappointing first hastily drafted sketch. I found it embarrassing! It was so bad!

But, a small miracle happened. I didn’t know until that meeting that Frank had sought ought a best-selling author and illustrator in Mendon, Michigan. He’s really famous! But he had to tell Frank that he couldn’t do it as he was finally retired. But he was very impressed with Frank’s book and passed it on to a friend.

Frank had been seeking an illustrator for over 2 years! Well, that didn’t help matters any from my perspective. No pressure here!

But, what changed during this meeting was that I saw how excited Frank was to get his book out into the world. And he looked at me with confidence. He had faith in me. I’m always for the underdog so to speak, so there was no turning back.

After many meetings, talks on the phone, improvements to the book, and completing the illustrations, Frank published his first book on Amazon!

Of course, I recorded the event on video. We were both exhausted from our efforts but with one push of a button, he submitted his masterpiece.

Frank Kartch submitting his first book to Amazon, “The Meadowlark Always Brings Good News.” 10-16-22

This has been a challenging, fun, and growing experience for us both.

I’m looking forward to working with Frank in the future.

Until my next adventure, be well, be blessed.