Last week, we said goodbye to someone incredibly special. Bill, the inspiration behind my children’s book, Goodbye with a Smile, passed away. Bill and his wife, Lisianna, have been dear friends of ours for over a decade. He was there when I nervously took my first steps as an author, always offering support and encouragement.

A few years into my writing journey, Bill called me up with an idea. While recovering from a double-lung transplant, he had dreamed up the story of Sneaky the Pudge Weasel and her friends. He had the whole backstory imagined and asked me to help bring it to life. I worked on the story for eight years, and last June, Goodbye with a Smile was published. Bill got to see his vision in print, and I’m so thankful for that.

But Bill’s story is about so much more than a book. He taught me perseverance, resilience, and the beauty of embracing life’s moments. After his transplant, he was given 16 more years, and he made the most of them. He loved his family fiercely, welcomed others with open arms, and never took a single day for granted.

Losing Bill leaves a heavy ache in my heart. But I know he would want us to keep smiling and moving forward. His spirit reminds me to enjoy the journey, no matter how long it may be.

Today, I invite you to share a smile, offer a hug, and cherish the people in your life. You never know when someone like Bill might walk into your world and change it forever.

Goodbye, Bill. Thank you for your friendship, your laughter, and your belief in me. You will be deeply missed, but your spirit will live on in every page of your story.