My father, Hiram Roush, served in the Army Corps of Engineers, and went on to become one of the best military aircraft design checkers, masterminded the hydraulic wheel lift system on the E-2, and saved the Apollo 11 black box from exploding on impact at the first landing on the moon on July 20, 1969.

Dad’s younger brother, Henry, was killed in a test flight at Miramar Air Station, taking another guy’s shift so he could be with his family.

Dad’s older brother, James Roush, was a B-52 Bombadier, noted for his accuracy and successful missions.

My mother, Beverly Roush, was a Rosie the Riveter, and met my father when working late shifts at the same plant. Several relatives are members of DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).

Living in a military base town such as San Diego, it was bound to happen that I would meet and marry a man in the Navy, an Air Traffic Controller (Top Gun), stationed on the USS Horne, and later USS Valley Forge. Not sure how “romantic” this was, but he proposed to me during an episode of M*A*S*H. I understand all too well, being a West-Pac Widow, as his ship was assigned to the USS Ranger during the Persian Gulf War. Although he was highly decorated for his merits, he came home a different man, and became an abusive alcoholic. I’ve since dated a Submarine Senior Chief, and a Marine (not that I’m dating my way through the ranks!).

As a professional trainer, many of my clients are from the military world, not only the individuals and their families, but also their service providers, their hospitals, their housing coordinators, and their transition teams.

I have a certain affinity and a special place in my heart for our military, so I’m proud to produce this book of stories from—and tributes to—each and every one: the service member and their loving, dedicated families.

“A spark is a little thing, yet it may rekindle the world.”
-Mary Farquar Tupper

Browse though sections of cherished classic, personal favorites and recent original writings — quotations and quips, poems and proverbs by Maya Angelou, Eleanor Roosevelt, Oprah Winfrey, and hundreds more…..

Over 120 categories from A-Z, including: Achievement, Aging, Angels, Attitude, A Woman’s Wisdom, Balance, Beliefs, Careers, Cats & Dogs, Children, Chocolate, Daughters, Estrogen, Faith, Gratitude, Humor, Intuition, Joy, Kindness, Love, Miracles, Mothers, Nature, Overcoming Adversity, Parenting, Passion, Purpose, Prayer, Self-Esteem, Stay at Home Moms, Stress, Success, Talents, Unconditional Love, Vision, Worrying (how not to), Zen, and much more!

200+ Pages, 6×9” format, Retail $14.95

Sheryl Roush is a 13-time published author and an internationally recognized for high-content “how-to” keynotes and seminars on boosting attitude, communication skills, and creating positive work environments. Sheryl is available to speak at conferences, associations, meeting and special events. Visit www.SherylRoush.com for topics, titles and availability, or call Sparkle Presentations, Inc. Toll Free 1-800-932-0973 to schedule Sheryl Roush to speak!

Native San Diegan, international speaker Sheryl Roush will be signing copies of her Heart Book Series at Earthblend Tea & Coffee, 6020 Santo Road, next to the Tierrasanta Post Office, San Diego, CA 92124, on Saturday, May 9, from 11:00am-2:00pm. Open to the public, there is no charge for this event.

Sparkle Press, a division of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., announced today the forthcoming title in the popular and quickly growing Heart Book Series, created only three years ago.

Heart of a Military Woman will be released before Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2009 and join the series of inspirational gift books by Sheryl Roush: Heart of a Woman,  Heart of a Mother,  Heart of the Holidays,  Heart of a Woman in Business, and  Corazon de Mujer (Heart of a Woman in Spanish).

Eldonna Lewis-Fernandez is co-author of Heart of a Military Woman. Passionate about touching the lives of female veterans and being a retired veteran with 23 years of honorable service in the United States Air Force, Eldonna is teaching women how to take more RISK in their lives for maximum results. When she enlisted in October 1980, women made up only 8% of the military and today although more than doubled still only 20%. Professionally, Eldonna is a contract specialist in purchasing, negotiation and administration of government contracts. She is the President of Dynamic Vision International, based in Redondo Beach, California.

Personally, she’s a single mother of two, an award-winning speaker, on the board of the Women’s Peace Campaign and a certified master results coach. Even more personally, Eldonna shares her story in Heart of a Woman in Business, "I was a high school dropout who was told by my teachers and parents that I would never amount to anything. Born to two alcoholic parents, I grew up neglected and abused. The military was my saving grace and I fought hard again that ‘loser’ expectation, excelling in my military career. I became a leader, manager, and networking expert. I earned two associates and a bachelor’s degree while on active duty (and raising two children on her own) as well as the highest level of professional certification in my field."

Eldonna co-authors with Sheryl Roush, the author of the book series, a noted professional speaker, and is herself an ex-Navy wife, compassionate to those choosing a military lifestyle and grateful to their incredible dedication.

Submissions are welcome to this inspirational collection of original short stories, poems and quotations…. regarding ANY active or retired military.
Due August 15, submissions may be up to 1,200 words long, and are to emailed to: Eldonna@HeartBookSeries.com  
Indicate "Book Submission" in the subject line.
Email in text, or attach a Word.doc.

Mail submissions to:
Sparkle Press
Attn: Heart of a Military Woman Book
P.O. Box 2373
La Mesa, CA 91943-2373 USA

1. Say Thank-You with your eyes
Make more eye contact with people. Really connect with the gratitude for being alive by connecting with another human through their eyes.

2. Write a Thank-You note
Write a note that thanks someone for being in your life without them having done anything or given you anything recently.

3. Tell people what they mean to you
Do not let an opportunity go by to tell someone what they mean to you personally and/or professionally. Let people know how they make a difference in your life.

4. Perform a Random-Act-of-Kindness
Anonymously, do something outrageously kind or generous for someone else. Never tell.

5. Create a daily ritual that expresses gratitude
List five things a day you are grateful for, light a candle, say a prayer, tell someone you love them, send out a daily email to your closest buds. Come up with something that will daily put you in contact with gratitude.

6. Volunteer
Hold a hand or lend a hand. Just help someone who needs help more than you do. It will give you amazing perspective on your life.

7. Pick up a treasure
When you see something that reminds you of someone you care about, pick it up for them and give it to them ‘just because’.

8. Make a Donation (even if you think you can’t afford to)
Sharing your money, expecting nothing in return, is a powerful way to show you are grateful for what you have.

9. Write or create something and donate the proceeds
Create something that can be sold to support a cause.

10. Give of yourself
The gift of your time and attention makes a great statement about how much someone means to you

11. Make a kid’s day
Giving a child a special day that will forever be a happy memory will be a win-win you won’t soon forget

12. Write a letter to the editor
If someone in your town (a teacher, a neighbor, a service provider) did something really great, write to the editor of your town newspaper to give that person a little extra acknowledgement. Tell people how this person went out of their way to help. You’ll warm some hearts and maybe cause of positive ripple effect for the person you thanked publicly.

13. Bring a friend along for the ride
If you get an opportunity of a lifetime or get ushered up your career ladder by a helping hand, bring someone you know with you. Do what you can to bring them along. Be that helping hand to the next person.

14. Share a meal
‘Breaking bread’ with somebody or a group a people is a great way to express your thanks for them. Serve them as if they were kings.

15. Park yourself in an awesome spot in nature
A majestic view helps to humble your ego and help you appreciate the richness of your world.

16. Finger paint
Get dirty finger-painting and feel the energy going through your fingers as you press through the paint on to the paper. Feel the privilege of having a body that works.

17. Plant a tree or some flowers (depending on region!)
There is a sanctity to putting living things in the earth to encourage their growth. You don’t have to be a ‘tree hugger’ to appreciate what the earth has given you by giving something back to it.

18. Dedicate something to someone significant to you
Say thank you by honoring someone with a dedication. Whether it’s something you have written or a performance or a book, or maybe even a project, dedicate it as an acknowledgment.

19. List the people that make your life easier
Write down a list of people that are in your life that do things with you or for you that make your life a little easier. Imagine if they were not there and how much would be on your plate.

20. Give away all you no longer need
Taking stock of your stuff and seeing it go on to people that can use it, gives you an appreciation for all you have.

21. Make someone something
Engage your creativity, suspend judgment and express your thanks for someone by making them a gift. Whether you have a particular craft or talent is not necessary. Share your creation and tell the receiver what you did to create it.

22. Help someone feel important
Sing Happy Birthday at your own birthday party to someone whose birthday closely follows yours. Acknowledge someone else publicly while you hold the floor. Include someone at the ‘head table’ of an event who would not expect to be  there. Do something for someone else’s self-esteem.

23. Document someone else’s life
Dust off your camcorder and record an oral history by a family member, friend or interesting acquaintance. You  can even forget the camera and just get someone to talk about the stories of their life. Just when you think you’ve been through it all or you’ve hear it all, you’ll fill with the appreciation for the journey we are all on.

24. Kidnap a friend or loved one for a day devoted to them
Show up unexpectedly and steal someone away for a day of activities handpicked for your friend’s enjoyment. Take  them to eat their favorite kind of food, take them to a movie they would love to see, take them to their favorite sporting event or shopping place. Plan a day that has nothing to do with you. Devote it to them.

25. Say Thank You and Mean It
‘Thank you’ can sometimes take on the same worn familiarity as your most comfy slippers and lose it’s true value. Pay  more attention as you say it and really mean it.

Contributors have been notified of their official acceptance of being published in the soon-to-be-released Heart of a Woman in Business book by Sheryl Roush.

The publication is a MASTERPIECE!
The editing team of four professionals had a tough job, as DOUBLE the amount of submissions were received than could fit within the scheduled 240 pages.

There was a record of 105 Contributors, with a record of 201 submissions, for a total Word Count of 164,576.

Of those submitting their original workplace stories, poems and business insights, eighty contributors were placed into the 280-page elegantly designed self-help inspiration, which is 48 pages longer than originally planned.

The publication is also THREE FULL WEEKS ahead of schedule, and initial book releases will occur at speaking engagements where Sheryl Roush is presenting inspirational messages. The first release will be on September 9 in Fresno at the sold out 3,500-women Central California Womens’ Conference, where Sheryl is speaking on the program with financial expert Suze Orman.

The official book release date is October 1st, and will be featured at the international Book Expo in Frankfurt, Germany October 15-19.

Pre-orders for the book are welcome at www.SparklePresentations.com