...on the Doorsteps of Heaven

     Dear Reader,

           I am thrilled that you will soon be able to read my book,  ...on the Doorsteps of Heaven, and that being said, I am convinced that once you immerse yourself into my story, you will thankfully have a difficult time putting it down.  This is not your typical "free preview", because frankly, I would rather you understand how I put this all together, rather than give you "exerpts" of what you are about to read anyway. 

         As you read Doorsteps, you will find that there are three short stories intertwined with the main story and it is quite interesting as to how they all were woven together in a simple but serious manner.  Each chapter builds upon the other, and ultimately ends in a way that will make you...the reader...feel absoultely wonderful inside!  There are themes galore in this story...themes that any reader will be able to pull into his heart and keep as his own. 

        My intention for this book was originally meant to be a sort of "testament" to my life...something that my children could remember me by.  In that sense, it worked out perfectly...but when I talked to people that read my story, I found out that it really touched them in so many different ways.  Quite unexpectedly, writing this book  has changed me profoundly as a person. I now view my life as so much more special than I could have ever imagined, and my daily or routine encounters with other people, whether they are family, friends or even strangers, are now reasons for a warm and comforting joy that is hard to explain... but wonderful to experience. 

        The chapter Harry and Bottle by the way is my favorite, because everytime I read it, it brings my Grandparents back into my life and has showed me, that their roots beneath my feet that I always have felt (but too often ignored) gently tugging at me, are signs of their eternal love that will live on for infinity.  My poem to my wife Mary Jane was written because I have always loved her and I figured that others should know about it too.  I guess in more ways than one, I have exposed my life to you the reader...but I am comfortable with it, and it certainly is no coincidence that the author's name is the same as the main character. 

        Again, I know this doesn't seem like the typical "sneak preview", of a new book, but I am serious when I say that Doorsteps will make you smile.  This is my gift to you. 

                      Sincerely....jim

You know that saying "put your money where your mouth is"?  The story ...on the Doorsteps of Heaven says.....

"put your love where your heart is"          peace

ok, ok...........here are a few parts from the chapter Harry and Bottle

"I suppose we are often times convinced that we have plenty of time at our disposal...time to visit a friend or relative...time to forgive...time to say I'm sorry...time to show compassion and generosity or time to exhibit and express our love for someone.  We don't.  On Earth, the moments we experience and share are finite.  These miniscule events in time offer us (humanity), ever so brief windows of opportunity to act and do the right thing.  We can be stubborn, lazy or selfish by ignoring and squandering our chances or we can accept the challenges and embrace the human relationship to its fullest."

.........."The three of us talked for a bit more, but it was obvious to me, our  visit was coming to an end.  I didn't want it to end.  Harry motioned to Bottle with a gentle elbow to her ribs.  It was time for them to leave.

"Where are you going?  Can I come with you?"

I acted like a pathetic little puppy dog...my ears perked up, my nose sweaty and my tail anxiously wagging from side to side.

"We're going home, but it's not time for you...not yet anyway." Spoke Grandpa.

"Why not?  I'm dead too you know!  Please!  I'm lost...I'm lonesome."

email jim at           onthedoorsteps@yahoo.com