Blogging from A to Z Challenge: Celebrating the Miracle & Muddle of the Ordinary

This is my third year in the April A to Z Blogging Challenge. In 2013 I revisited the places I've traveled outside the U.S. (Oh the Places You'll Go!), and in 2014 I wrote about my own beloved city in Portlandia from A to Z. 

Earlier this year as I wondered what to tackle this year, I got the delicious opportunity to hear author Brian Doyle at the Search for Meaning Festival in Seattle. He entertained the packed audience at Seattle University by sharing his colorful writing, telling jokes and laugh-out-loud anecdotes, choking back tears, and entreating us to sing and cry along with him with his sometimes gut-wrenching words. 

Listening to him read from his work kindled my desire to write more. As much as I enjoy writing press releases like this one (my day job!), it's not the same as writing words that inspire, provoke, and move people. 

He read short pieces from A Book of Uncommon Prayer: 100 Celebrations of the Miracle & Muddle of the Ordinary, and I had to buy the book because so many touched me. I wrote to Brian and asked his permission to share his writing, and he consented! 

If you'd like to learn more about Brian Doyle, check out this video of his appearance at Boston University a few years ago (where he addresses 9/11), and you'll get a flavor of why I liked him so much. The Daily Beast calls him "a writer to be ignored at your own peril."

I hope you enjoy the celebrations of the miracle and muddle of the ordinary! If you'd like to read the remaining 70 prayers and select your own favorites, you can buy the book at Brian's favorite local bookstore, Broadway Books, at Powell's Books, or on Amazon. 

Brian's work is used with permission of Ave Maria Press.

Author Brian Doyle