Christy Chafe

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About Christy Chafe
I am so happy to announce the release of my debut novel, I’m Here, a story which explores one woman's journey to discover answers when she's not entirely sure she wants to know the truth. After being awakened in the middle of the night by a text from her dead husband, Meg is forced to face questions about love, loss, and those things we hold tightly. Please click the links in my "Books & More" page to read a sample or to purchase a copy!
I hold a BS in Creative Writing from Miami University and an MA in English from Xavier University. As a stay-at-home mom for many years, the freedom of my writing schedule has always been a blessing, but now I have some extra time and more stories to tell. I’m the very grateful mom of three adult kids, and I’ve been married for 29 years to my college crush (#MiamiMerger #Love&Honor) who was the real inspiration for this book. The questions of “what if” are ones I’ve always wanted to explore, and I’m thankful for the opportunity.
I’m currently working on my second novel, but I also truly love the art of personal essay. My piece, “Beautiful Girls” was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Mothers and Daughters, and my article, “Inner Tubes and Daylilies” was published in "Ohio Magazine."
When I'm not writing, you will find me reading, doing Pilates, or walking Coach the Dog, our fiercely loyal Maltese. I love podcasts, documentaries, movies and reality TV (far more than I should admit.) My family adores our hometown of Hudson, OH, but has also fallen in love with our island in the sun, Daufuskie Island, SC.
Thank you for stopping by! Have a wonderful day, and please connect with me on the "Contact Me" page.
xoxo ~ christy
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Author Updates
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Blog postA while ago, I wrote about. . . wait, I should acknowledge that it’s been awhile—I’ve been distracted with some writing projects and things like summer and the Real Housewives— but anyway, I wrote once before about finding pennies and coins in my path. It happens to everyone, the “lucky penny” found heads-up on the pavement, the random coin on the floor mat of the car. At first, I picked them up, pocketing them, not taking much note. But when I would turn my head for a moment,4 years ago Read more
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Blog postI created a very special wreath a few years ago. It seems like a few years ago, but it was more--I know this, because as I look at the wreath today, I see photos of babies that are now big. I love this wreath. It's covered in ribbons and glitter, and all of the special ornaments that Jono, Abby and Sam made throughout preschool and elementary. At one point, that brief moment in time when they were actually toddlers and babies, my tree could hardly hold5 years ago Read more
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Blog postIntentions.
The good, the bad, the best of.
My daughter, Abby, wears a bracelet everyday that says "breathe." I was with her when she chose it, when she connected with it in the boutique. When I look at her, I am not at all surprised that she feels this word so deeply. Her theater training, her vocal technique, her yoga classes. Then there is the stress that can arise with a packed schedule. The word was so perfect. Breathe5 years ago Read more -
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Blog postHappy New Year. And, phew.
Feels like a whirlwind, doesn't it? Not just the holidays (which seemingly flew by me in a glorious frenzy of tissue paper, confectioners sugar and glitter, as noted by the evidence I am still finding) but the entire year. I look back on 2016 as if it were a giant revolving door instead of a calendar year; transformations, changes, comings and goings. I'm not even talking about the election--transitions to be sure--but so many ch5 years ago Read more -
Blog post*Copied-without permission-from the note I tucked in Abby's lunch this morning.
This is the last lunch note I will write you.
You were my “pack a lunch” kiddo. While the boys always liked to buy their lunches, you preferred to pack yours, almost always.
When you were younger, you would pack them yourself. But in these last few years, the job fell to me. Isn’t that weird? I think most kids would have grown INTO the job, not out6 years ago Read more -
Blog postThey tried to warn me, those naysayers and nonbelievers. It will be hard work, they said. You’ll be up all night with the crying, I heard. I’d fought it for years, but I was ready.
Now? I heard. Your kids are so big, and you’re doing this now?
Can’t explain it. I was ready.
It will tie you down, some argued. You love to travel.
Didn’t care. I was ready. I gathered my research, read the books, did the preparation,6 years ago Read more -
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Blog postBe still. (Still calling those as strikes? Really? You're missing a great game, Blue. . . )
Be still, and (and NOW it's a ball? You have GOT to be kidding.)
Be still, and know (you know what? I'm going just post these pictures of Jono batting on Facebook)
Be still, and know that I (I need another water. Does Jono need a Gatorade? Where is the Gatorade?)
Be still, and know that I am (I am on 15% battery here.7 years ago Read more -
Blog postI've never been that great at "stepping out of the proverbial box." No thank you, new boxes. I like the spaces, activities and schedule that I have created, and I like the people that are incorporated into my world. So it should have come as no surprise when my best friend, Lisa, told me recently that it also takes me a while to warm up to new people. But surprised I was.
This can't be true. I thought I LIKED meeting people.
"You do like m7 years ago Read more -
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Blog postI am a user of social media. Twitter is my first source for breaking news and weather alerts, Facebook keeps me connected to family and friends, and Instagram (when I remember) shows me fun and often beautiful moments from my daughter's life. I am intrigued by the way the world is becoming connected and instantly updated; more than that-- I am amazed.
At first, I resisted. "Facebook? No thanks." However, once my children became members of the digital8 years ago Read more -
Blog postI wish everything was served on a toothpick. I'm the best guest at an appetizer party--hot, cold, passed, served. If it's small and bite sized, I'll give it a whirl. And I'm increasingly amazed at what people can stab onto a small stick and serve at a party. I remain duly impressed.
When my children were small, I wasn't very good at fighting the food wars, and chose instead to pretend that my kitchen was Sam's Club, and that I was the sample lady. "8 years ago Read more -
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Blog postI read today about a woman in Quebec who faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for causing two deaths. She stopped her car in traffic on the highway in order to rescue a small bunch of ducklings. A motorcyclist and his daughter, traveling behind her, were killed when they ran into the back of her van, unexpectedly stopped in the fast lane.
She was trying to herd the ducklings out of traffic and into her car. She has said8 years ago Read more -
Blog post
I am in a constant state of recovery from injuries sustained during falls. I fall down stairs, I slip on icy driveways, I fall out of bed, and I trip over uneven sidewalks. I also fall UP the stairs, I trip over nothing at all, and I slip on perfectly sunny days. I walk into walls, I bump my head, I bang my shins, and I stub my toes. While this is not exactly falling, I often fall because of the bumping, banging,8 years ago Read more -
Blog postDear Friends,
I hope you are staying safe and warm during these winter days :) As I was keeping myself connected with my friends from the comfort of my family room (thank you Facebook and Twitter!) I decided to look back to the very beginning of my blogging journey.
Since "Notes from the Journey. . ." took it's first steps on a different site, I've provided that link for you below. Some of the most r8 years ago Read more -
Blog postIt is cold outside and the vegetable soup that I ate for lunch was warm, but uninspired. That's a bit how I feel today. Warm, but uninspired to complete the list of tasks and goals that I wrote last night. I am a list maker, and now I have spawned three additional three list makers, but that's another story for another time. (Note to self: blog post about lists.)
Also, there is a Secret deodorant on the kitchen counter, which begs all kinds of questions8 years ago Read more -
Blog postMagical, I tell you, magical. It was the feeling I had one day last week when I decided to surprise my daughter Abby by cleaning out her closet. She had been having too many of "those" mornings lately. . . mornings I can clearly remember from my own teenage years. Those frustrating days of “I have nothing to wear!” and “I have to leave in 7 minutes and I can’t find my jeans!”
To be clear, she has something to wear. Lots. But while she9 years ago Read more -
Blog post(I figured out how to post on the new blog site! Thanks to Cindy T. whose emails and patience made me a #happyblogger! )
How do you find your happiness? I don’t mean when you are truly, truly sad, and need to really just feel sadness. Because sometimes sad is just where it’s at, and thank God for friends and family and home and church and those who can love you through it, right? Right. Seriously, right?
I mean on those days whe9 years ago Read more -
Blog postOriginally posted by CC-Mom at 5/6/2013 9:28 AM
Old House, New House, Tried House, True House. . . and, my Baby Boy is Going to College.
It’s one of those things that’s creeping up on me, even after I’ve been anticipating its arrival for so long. We are about to move into a new house, just a mile away, down the same main road in town, past the same trees and streets and houses that I’ve known for nearly seventeen years. Our new home is nearly ready to welcome us.&nbs9 years ago Read more -
Blog postOriginally posted by CC-Mom at 2/21/2013 12:04 PM
It's the battle cry of every mom, every woman, every church volunteer. Another meeting? I have a meeting! Let's have a committee meeting! Shall we meet at Panera? But every now and again, and perhaps more often than we realize, something other than the meeting is occurring.
Yesterday, a church council meeting was on my evening calendar. During the day, I was cleaning the basement for our upcoming move9 years ago Read more -
Blog postOriginally posted by CC-Mom at 12/24/2012 11:27 AM
This morning (Christmas Eve, my favorite day of the year!) I found myself thinking of two very different readings. This blog post is taken from Luke 2: 1-20 and "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.. . . While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in9 years ago Read more