“What are you doing, Robyn?”

“I’m—”

“You are freaking out, that’s what you’re doing.”

“What? I’m not—”

“Stop freaking out! You think there are so many things to do, but that is not true. Right now, there is just one thing you need to do. You need to write that book!”

A few weeks ago I got that call from my friend and judo mom, Connie. My second round of revisions for WONDER LIGHT was due the day after my judo team was to compete in the Jr. Nationals. Our team was to supply two mat areas for the tournament, which was taking place five hours away. We were in the middle of running our biggest fundraiser for our non-profit team, a fireworks stand, which had to be manned 24 hours a day. We were leaving for Jr. Nationals on July 5, as soon as the fireworks inventory was taken care of, and somebody was going to have to pick up a rental truck, load it with all our mats, and drive it to Spokane. To complicate matters, my husband, our Head Coach, had just made a major career change and was working long hours.

There was no use arguing with Connie, the Great Persuader, or with the truth. Under the surface of calm, of course I was freaking out!

But Connie insisted that everything—in particular, my children—would be taken care of. Between my parents and team members, they were, and extraordinary things got done. I finished my revision early and sent it off to my editor. The fireworks stand had record sales, and the inventory was done before the grand finale of the local professional fireworks show. The mats made it to Spokane, and our competitors broke our team’s previous record, bringing home 17 medals.

Over the last few months, my friends, teammates, and family have filled in running judo practices and taken the time to help me and my husband get passes to visit family members in the hospital on base as they battled serious health issues. One of them even put on a banana suit to help out the new business my husband is working for!

I’m so grateful to have friends and family who believe in me and who are dedicated to supporting each other’s dreams. Most of all, I feel blessed that my kids are surrounded by people who are helping them to grow up feeling strong and loved—and who are there to save them from Mom freaking out!