Titling the anthology The Mighty Ant I explained on the cover, “Just like the little ant, whose size is disproportionate to its strength, so can stories have strong impact, regardless of their length.” The title of the book came to me one day as I observed a little black ant carrying something large to its nest. Many had been or currently were caregivers themselves and could relate to the needs of caregivers and their loved ones for whom they were caring.
Many were people who simply wanted to participate and believed in the cause. Late nights and reading aloud to my wonderful husband helped narrow down the choices. They were charming, memory and conversation-provoking stories from 33 authors.Įditing was difficult because of the 55 stories that were accepted there were so many others that were submitted. The results were submissions from all over the world. The authors were more than happy to generously share their work with no thoughts of remuneration. The profits from the book sales would be given to North Carolina’s Chatham County Council on Aging. I put out a call for submissions from authors who might be interested in participating, asking for a donation of short stories with a focus on brevity and simplicity. I thought that I could combine the idea of a book of short stories for seniors with a fundraiser for the Council on Aging. It was abundantly clear that caregiving services were needed without enough funding to provide these services. Recently, I was involved in a project for the county to discuss the needs of aging communities. That spawned my idea for a book of short stories specifically dedicated to the elderly with cognitive issues and their caregivers who often search for activities that will provide quality time with their loved ones. It brought a sweet reminiscent moment that included smiles and even laughter.
“Do you remember gardening?” I asked her after reading about a gardener. I noticed that after reading something more easily comprehended, there was often something in the tale that sparked a memory and conversation. As a consequence, I began reading short stories to her. Sadly, Mom suffers from Alzheimer’s, and as the disease has progressed she no longer comprehends more intricate plots, nor can she focus on longer, more detailed stories. I am an author of over 28 books who has always shared my stories with my mother.
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