Last month I introduced you to a brand new author, Robert Jones as he shared some thoughts with us.
Today, Robert shares something he treasures.....
I grew up in Las Vegas during a time the city marketed itself as a family destination. That time has now passed; some illusions are harder to pull off than others.
Most of our parents worked at night and most worked variable shifts. This meant that mothers and fathers crossed paths only briefly each day and that younger children were often cared for by older siblings. In retrospect, I'm surprised at how we persevered. While I certainly had friends regularly getting into trouble, I treasure most of the memories I have of this time. I remember taking care of my friends and I remember them taking care of me. We made our own families.
Las Vegas was and is about money. Christmas gifts were often cash, even for children. The gift I remember most fondly came from a friend who turned this money into something special. He took us shopping and bought us what we had wanted for Christmas. Afterwards, he took us to the movies. I still recall sitting next to him that day, smiling broadly, so thankful for my friend.
Oh wow, Robert definitely precious memories to treasure! Thanks for sharing.
Robert Jones, like most parents, is a developing storyteller. He reads to his daughters nightly (and whenever they ask) and draws on analogies to explain complex ideas. He has also learned to improvise silly characters in even sillier situations to wrest his children from otherwise inconsolable moods. His stories are becoming books because of the insistence of his children that his characters be brought to life. While he wishes he could spend his days engaged in such important endeavors, he supports his family by working as a general manager for an eCommerce company.
Robert's first book, Happiness: A Lesson with Lulu, is available through Healthy Life Press, amazon.com, and wholesale to booksellers at Ingramcontent.com/retailers.
Watch the Book Trailer HERE!
This sounds like a wonderful book for children and grandchildren so I hope you'll support this young father and new author by grabbing a copy and I hope you'll join me each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God Bless!
PamT
Robert, I live in New Hampshire. So we're neighbors. Sort of.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in Vegas, huh? I've met a few normal people from there. It's a whole other world. I know your heart is with picture books right now and I don't blame you, but if you ever decide to try a middle-grade novel, a kid growing up in Vegas would be a cool story.
Good luck in your writing!
Kathy Bailey
Great idea! Thank you!
DeleteWow, that's interesting. It's always odd to me that people actually 'live' in Las Vegas, LOL. Enjoyed the post...best wishes!
ReplyDeleteRobert,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book! Children's books are hard to get published and so this is a special achievement. My husband loves L.V. We've visited numerous times.
Hi Robert,
ReplyDeleteCash is nice, but I'll take time and physical gifts any day. Great interview. Your cover is fantastic!
Thank you! The illustrator and designer are also from Las Vegas!
DeleteWhat sweet memories. Congratulations on your new release!
ReplyDeleteMy dad was stationed at Nellis AFB outside Vegas many years ago. We actually lived in town for the first year because base housing wasn't available. My sister went to highschool in Vegas at a private school, and she hated it. Most of the kids were from families in the entertainment industry, some of them worked part time in shows. They had lots more "things" and were lots more "advanced" than a poor Master Sergeant's daughter!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a place about images. It probably isn't a terrible thing that your sister didn't fit in!
DeleteI've never visited Las Vegas. I think its really interesting that children were forced to be so independent so early. I like how resourceful you and your friends to look after one another.
ReplyDeleteI learned from others for sure! I still think about many of them, even though we've lost touch.
DeleteThanks for sharing your childhood with us, Robert. Isn't it absolutely amazing how resilient we were in our youth, and how that still holds true for the children of today? May you and "Lulu" bless the children it reaches. Cheers
ReplyDeleteHow very interesting, Robert. I go to Vegas just to see shows. I'm not a good gambler.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of the kind comments and suggestions. I hadn't thought about it before, but perhaps Lulu reflects my friends just a bit in her confidence and independence! Las Vegas isn't too bad. The desert is a beautiful place. That said, I do joke with my wife that growing up in Las Vegas was a bit like the reverse of the Amish rumspringa - when young adults leave the community to experience the sins of the world and choose whether or not to return. In my case, I saw enough before that age and quickly vacated to a Quaker college 2000 miles away!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I read constantly to my children, with my grand kids I took it up a notch and Made up bed time stories for them. I would ask for three items they wanted in the story--anything--random choices, for example: a unicorn an soccer ball and a thunder storm, then I would weave the items into the story and often inlcuded their names as actors. It was fun for all! Nice post and good luck.
ReplyDelete