Ruth Alice Lequear in 1946 – Joanie Holzer Schirm’s Mom

Each New Year for me is a little bittersweet.  I always yearn for great optimism and hope for the coming year, but a piece of that feeling fell away when seventeen years ago I lost my mother – Ruth Alice Lequear, known affectionately by many as “Chick” or to her grandchildren as “Chickie.” It was on this day, January 1, at the turn of the millennia, she slipped away to the other side following a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease.  I miss her each day while she’s over there and I’m over here.  I’ve yet to meet someone who in my eyes can match her sweet, gentle spirit and magnanimity that came from her beautiful soul.

I feel her nearness every day and believe her soaring soul from that other world still makes her a mother in spirit. For that, I’m forever appreciative— and hopeful —just as my Mom encouraged me to greet every New Year.  Happy New Year to all.

As I think over the past year, I realize how blessed I have been to have had this extraordinary journey to become a published author. I thank you for helping me make this amazing dream come true. The spring bloom ushered in worldwide distribution in print and electronic version in English of my debut book, Adventurers Against Their Will.  This was followed in the fall by an award for Best Biography in the 2013 Global Ebook Awards.  Round this off with continuous supportive family, friends, and professional colleagues to which I’m forever in debt and 2013 was indeed magical.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to share these true stories of life from the lost Czech world of my father that he protected by secretly storing away his treasure trove of World War II letters. The lessons they impart are clear. Knowledge and understanding of one another is the enemy of prejudice. Together we have a responsibility to humanity to build a more harmonious world.

One gift I fully understand now is how deeply my parents worked towards this goal during their lifetime. With a continuing sense of mission towards their legacy of love for the people of our world, I remain hard at work to soon deliver my father’s, Dr. Oswald “Valdik” Holzer’s remarkable story in My Dear Boy: The Discovery of a Lifetime.

As we enter the New Year with renewed hope, please watch this short video to be reminded why our work for unity must continue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akjaidEL-1U

Best wishes to you for an incredible 2014.