The Business of Miracles
My friend's book launched today
I saw a woman from a dream today.
She wore a cherry red jumpsuit and her dark hair hung straight, despite the wind on the balcony of the Soho penthouse. She held a paperback book with a pink cover.
She quieted the packed room and thanked the crowd of people, each holding their own copies of the rose-colored book. I wiped my watery eyes. She was radiant.
This wasn’t the first time I had met her.
She lived close to me, entering my daydreams every time I chatted with my dear friend Lindsay MacMillan.
Sneaking away from our desks to get coffee, we spoke of our dreams to be writers. At the time, we both were junior employees at an investment bank. This dream felt far.
I admired Lindsay for many reasons, one being that she had the fiercest work ethic of anyone I’ve ever met. She wrote for hours everyday before heading into the office for a full day of work. She did this quietly. I think I was one of a handful of people who knew she did this.
Day in and day out, she wrote. Being friends with her, I started writing more too. She introduced me to a writing teacher and a writing group. We applied for writing contests and pitch competitions. I saw her prioritizing writing and saying no to things that didn’t spark her light. I was emboldened to start doing the same.
The saying goes that an overnight success is years in the making. I feel lucky to have been there for some of Lindsay’s years in the making. Being her friend has taught me what faith looks like, how to trust in the face of rejection, and how to put the work in every single day.
One particularly hard day, I asked Lindsay to describe what her book launch party was going to be like.
“I don’t know, Sarah,” she said. “It just feels so far from here.”
“Okay, well what are you going to wear?”
She perked up.
“Well, red, of course. Probably a jumpsuit.” She paused.
“It’ll be on a rooftop, obviously. We’ll be able to see the entire city.”
Today, I saw Lindsay at her book launch. She was wearing a red jumpsuit. We were on a rooftop, and were in fact, able to see the entire city.
She held her book, the one that she had started three years ago in those early mornings before work. The woman in red was radiant and she was my friend.
As I think of how a friendship grows over the course of the prayers whispered, the promises made, and the dreams dared to share, I’m grateful to have known this hope of hers.
What’s interesting is that it can feel self-indulgent or silly to speak your dreams out loud and even scarier to share them with other people.
But from the vantage point of knowing her dream and celebrating it alongside her, it has been the exact opposite of silly or self-indulgent. Seeing her dream come true has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
It feels counterintuitive, but maybe one of the best things we can do for people who love us, is to share our dreams with them. When one day it becomes reality, that shared dream becomes a miracle.
Who doesn’t want more miracles?
All my love,
Sarah
P.S. Speaking of miracles, let’s get Lindsay on the best-seller list.
Purchase a copy of her book The Heart of the Deal. Sales matter most this week, so press order by Friday night!
Described as: Perfect for fans of Emily Giffin and Jojo Moyes, Lindsay MacMillan’s debut novel deftly captures the feeling of being adrift in your late twenties, with poignant commentary on female friendships, mental health, and what happiness really looks like.
P.P.S. I’m very curious to know your dreams. Reply to this email with 1-2 sentences about what you’re dreaming about.