The Hardest Lesson I Learned From My First Book

A Blended Family and a Burden for Legacy

In 1994, I married Michael, a widower with two young boys, ages six and eight. I had two children of my own, ages eleven and thirteen. Together, we became a beautifully blended family, and I took his boys as my own.

Their mother had been a preacher and the leader of a gospel singing group that even sang at Oral Roberts University. Tragically, she and their daughter were killed in a head-on collision.

She left behind a spiritual legacy, but her written legacy was scattered—a wooden box filled with notebooks, sermon notes, and scraps of scripture. Valuable, yes. But not something her children could hold onto and treasure.

That realization stirred something in me.

The Christmas That Changed Everything

As Christmas approached, I knew what I wanted to give them: something lasting. Something they could pass down through generations.

So I got to work.

In just one month, I handwrote 100 devotions on life, faith, marriage, money, integrity, honesty, and practical Christian living. My goal was simple:

👉 That they would always know they were loved, who Jesus is, how to be saved, and how to live by God’s Word.

The collection became my very first book: Wisdom from My Heart.

I designed the 5.5x8.5 cover myself, illustrated the devotionals, and published it at Office Max. It was intimidating, but I knew what I wanted.

And when I held that first printed copy in my hands? I felt empowered. I had done it. I was a self-published author.

The Hardest Lesson I Learned

On Christmas morning, I proudly gave the book to all four children.

Their reactions weren’t what I expected. One read it. One thumbed through it. One read a chapter or two. One never opened it.

Even years later, when I asked, “Did you ever read the book I wrote for you?” their answers stayed the same.

It stung. That book was my legacy, my labor of love. I wanted them to treasure it the way I did.

But here’s what I learned that day:

No one will ever get as excited about your creation, your design, or your words as you do yourself. And that has to be enough.

Seeds of Authorship

Looking back, I know the book fulfilled its purpose. The scriptures, the wisdom, the love—they’re still there. Even if the children don’t read it until I’m gone, I know I left them something meaningful.

And that book planted the seed for everything that came next.

Since Wisdom from My Heart, I’ve written 18 more books (two of them children’s books). Each one reminds me of that first project—created with passion and purpose.

Publishing at Office Max may not sound glamorous, but for me, it was empowering. Giving that book to the children remains one of the highlights of my life. It was more than a book—it was my heart in print.

A Word of Wisdom

The most famous authors, artists, and musicians weren’t always appreciated in their time. But they created anyway.

So here’s my encouragement for you:

Find your passion.

Pursue it wholeheartedly.

And let it be enough.

Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Don’t wait for universal approval. Create anyway. The reward is in the passion, the purpose, and the legacy you leave behind.

About Cindy L. Hyde

Cindy L. Hyde is the founder of Hyde Virtual Agency and Hyde House Publishing, where she helps writers publish professionally, build powerful author platforms, and market their books with confidence. She is the author of 18 books, including The Indie Author’s Guide to FREE Book Marketing: Discover 101 Ways to Sell Your Book Without Spending a Penny, and has helped countless indie authors go from stuck to self-published success.

🔗 Learn more at CindyLHyde.com

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