My mother tells me all the time how lucky I am.

She’s right, of course. But what she doesn’t factor is how darn much work luck takes.

Last night, I had the privilege to see Bonnie Raitt in concert. I grew up with Bonnie’s music and was thrilled when I scored some incredible tickets to see her. Fifth row, on the aisle. She was so close… I could tell we’d been born in the same decade, more or less. The crowd around was was gray-haired. Time has trickled away…but, for a moment, Bonnie took us back and we were young again.

But what really stuck with me when the concert was over was Bonnie herself. She told us that she had a wonderful room in the hotel where her concert was held. And, out her window, she could see the huge marquee on the street with her name in four-foot letters.

She told us she took a picture of her name in lights.

After 42 years at pretty much the top of the heap in the music business, selling-out concerts all over the world, she still couldn’t believe she’s living her dream.

And, do you know what ‘living her dream’ takes?

Ten months on the road, a different city almost every night, very few days off, and no family time. Forty-one years worth. And she still is amazed she gets to do this for a living.

I know how she feels… sorta.

When I hold a book in my hands, one that I wrote, with my name on the cover…I’m amazed. I still can’t believe it.

Thankfully, my ‘dream’ doesn’t require ten months on the road. But, to be honest, if it did, I would pack my bags. Don’t get me wrong, writing for a living has its price: long hours in front of the computer, nights and weekends, too. Then there’s the time spent promoting, interacting with readers. Dreams filled with characters and ideas that often prod me from sleep and push me back to the computer.

A very small price to pay for a dream.

I really am so very lucky.

And when the burden seems to be too much, I’ll think of Bonnie on the road somewhere. Then I’ll quit whining, grab an appropriate beverage, park my butt in the chair, and power-up the Mac.

When the going gets tough, who inspires you?

For fun, here’s a link to a bit of Bonnie Raitt’s inspiration…a duet with her father, the great John Raitt.  BONNIE AND HER DAD