A Rose Is Not Just A Rose!

I have a magnificent Rose. Actually my Rose is a person and she is a very special person indeed. I first heard of Rose Gauss from West Mifflin, PA a couple years ago when she won a 48 Days contest for her innovative idea for business. Dan and Kevin both agreed that not only was Rose extremely gifted but she was also a very sweet lady! Time went by and when I was mulling over the idea of turning what started out as a poem into a children's book I began looking for illustrators who would "see" the book the way I envisioned. Dan put out the word to his readers that I was looking for an illustrator and I got a TON of responses from many very gifted people. During that time Kevin suggested I check out Rose's website....... www.rosegauss.com..........and eventually I did. I was impressed.......but at that time I was pretty overwhelmed with all the beautiful art work I had seen coming my way. I talked to Deby, Theresa, Jill and Vicki who constituted my Creative Connection group and they kept urging me to forge on and get this book printed. So I emailed Rose to see if she was interested. I felt very out of my element and was so warmed and encouraged by her sweet nature. But what really sealed the deal with me was when, after reading my poem, Rose told me she envisioned the illustrations to be along the lines of a children's book I had picked up a few weeks prior and told Dan, "This is what I see my book looking like..........." And, amazingly Rose had the same book in mind. Now I do believe God speaks to people in very different ways and this is a great example of how God speaks in the form of confirmation. When I realilzed Rose had picked the same book...........the same illustrator I had been excited about.......I knew God had sent her to me. And Rose Gauss has done a wonderful job with my first published book. This is not just MY book. It is OUR book and I am so proud to have her input. Indeed, my Rose is not just an ordinary Rose........she is amazing and I owe her a lot of thanks. She has been a blessing and I am already looking forward to working with her on OUR next book in this series. Bless you, Rose Gauss! You are a great example of how we at 48 Days can and DO help each other become successful!