My Heart Found It's Path

I spent years searching for a career that didn’t suffocate me, unaware that this discomfort was my soul saying, "This isn’t our path!" Despite my efforts to fit into society’s expectations, my heart kept asserting itself.

I couldn’t ignore it when I became obsessed with Australian Shepherd dogs and eventually became the proud owner of Phebe, my first Aussie. Phebe brought me wonderful friends and comfort during some of the hardest times of my life. She also reignited my passion for drawing and inspired me to write funny stories. After her death, I tried creating a t-shirt company to share her antics, but I couldn’t say all that I wanted on a t-shirt. That’s when the idea of a children’s book began to take shape. It wasn’t easy, but eventually, I self-published How to Make a Sandwich.

This book came straight from my heart, and because of that, it’s taken on a life of its own. The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. Most notably, Kirkus Reviews gave it a starred review, an honor akin to a restaurant earning three Michelin stars, and included as one of June’s Indie Books of the Month. It’s now in their top 100 Indie Books of the Year.

But the best part hasn’t been the praise. It’s been the reactions from children and parents. Hearing stories of kids wanting it read every night, or a toddler walking around saying, “Oh, Phebe!” fills me with joy. When I hear about children responding so positively, I’m in awe of what the universe can do. I was simply the conduit—my love for Phebe was the writer.

I realize now that my heart couldn’t be silenced. It needed Phebe, and it needed to write this book. The heart is patient, and while the journey may not always be straightforward, it always finds its beautiful path.

Lorena Proia, Australian Shepherd mom and Author