I Still Matter is a new book that encourages gratefulness. It was compiled by Harlan Rector, movie trailer voice-over artist, and Edward Mickolus, 33 years in the CIA and a prolific author. I’m pleased to have a story of my own, The One, in I Still Matter.

Sometimes we as authors have a story itching to be told. It’s a marvelous thing when, simultaneously, someone compiling a book asks if we happen to have a story to contribute.

Harlan Rector and Edward Mickolus both have remarkable, yet widely different, histories. What they have in common is a love for good stories, leading them to co-create the I Matter three-book series, of which the most recent is: I Still Matter: Finding Meaning in Your Life at Any Age, published last month.

Harlan Rector and Edward Mickolus

When I first met Harlan at church, I was most impressed with his kind manner and the tenderness and care he shows his wife, who he’s been married to for 65 years. He is the epitome of gratefulness.

I had no idea at the time I’d met a famous voice-over artist. You can hear his recognizable voice in trailers for movies including Maleficent and Night at the Museum, and in a video game trailer for Harry Potter, PlayStation 2, Harry Potter. Harlan was the signature voice of The History Channel between 1995 and 1999.

He’s also been a caricature artist, and producer of a radio series and a musical. In movies, he’s the voice of The System in the short sci-fi film, EVT (Winner Best Film, St. Louis 48 Hour Film Project 2014) and narrator for the 1990 TV Movie and documentary, What’s Up, Doc? A Salute to Bugs Bunny (1990). You can hear more voice-overs at his website, HarlanRector.com. I instantly recognized his voice in commercials advertising Quaker Oats, Chevy, etc. His voice-over for Folgers coffee reminds me of “the best part of waking up”. It’s a strange sensation to know someone’s voice before ever meeting them!

Edward worked in the Central Intelligence Agency for 33 years (in analytical, operational, management positions), receiving CIA Career Intelligence and the Clandestine Service Medals. He’s the author of 40 non-fiction books and 100+ articles and reviews, including titles on topics related to international terrorism. Fellow writers will appreciate his title Spycraft for Thriller Writers: How to Write Spy Novels, TV Shows and Movies Accurately and Not Be Laughed at by Real-Life Spies. But he has a funny side too, contributing humor to 14 publications.

I Still Matter (and you do too!)

Their latest book, I Still Matter, is an anthology of stories from 35 authors about how people influence us for good, and how we can make a difference in others’ lives and inspire them.

My own story in it, “The One”, is about a miracle that connected me with a reader of my own parenting books on the other side of the world, in the Philippines. We have mutually encouraged each other for eighteen years since. I’ve had the chance to see–through Facebook–her children grow from preschoolers to college graduates. That story was a good fit for this I Matter book, showing how people can impact our lives in unusual ways. I feel not only gratefulness for the miracle that inspired that story, but also for my opportunity to connect with Harlan and Edward. They enrich my own life as I hear their unusual life stories.

Who has impacted you and how? Tell them, if you can. They may need to hear that today. You can also leave a comment below about someone who has affected you mightily.

Most likely there are many people grateful for you, too.

Laurie