July 2026 Newsletter
Hello, Everyone!
A lot has been happening in my life since I last wrote.
First and foremost, I'm thrilled to announce that the audiobook edition of my memoir, It Wasn't Supposed to Last, was released on June 29. I couldn't be happier! If you find it difficult to carve out time to sit down and read, I hope you'll consider listening to my story instead. I had the privilege of narrating it myself, and Pat's letters are beautifully brought to life by Joe James, adding a very special touch.
In June, I took my thirteen-year-old grandson on a week-long trip to New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. One of our highlights was visiting the gravesites of my grandparents—his great-great-grandparents. Like his grandmother, he has developed a deep interest in our family's ancestry.
The pièce de résistance of the trip was meeting his grandfather's, Pat, sister. It is the closest he will ever come on this earth to spending time with his Grandpa Pat. The bond between them was immediate, and it touched my heart. I like to think it was Pat embracing his grandson through his sister. Although they had never really known each other, you could see the love between them. Pat's sister told me she suddenly felt goosebumps all over and knew her brother was there. I didn't experience goosebumps myself, but I didn't need to. I know Pat is always near me.
Beginning July 1st, I've been busy writing short scripts about my story and recording them to share on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. I made a promise to Pat that as many people as possible would come to know him through me.
I've also added these videos to the Reels section of my website. They are almost like short chapters in a book:
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The audiobook is finally here.
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Why I chose to narrate my own audiobook.
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Pat's letters from prison.
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How my memoir got its name.
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Honoring Pat, a proud American veteran.
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Pat's unforgettable green eyes.
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Why there's a bridge on the cover of my book.
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The letter I finally understood.
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Why it took me twelve years to write my memoir.
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The day I thought I was dying.
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The night I felt Pat's presence.
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Your turn.
I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch them.
Now I'd love to hear from you.
Is there something you'd like me to talk about? Do you have a question about my book, Pat, our relationship, the writing process, or anything else you're curious about?
Feel free to email me at ldawnmason@gmail.com with your questions or suggestions. If I can answer them, I'd be happy to create a future video about them.
One thought has stayed with me throughout this journey:
As long as there are two people left on this earth, no one is ever truly forgotten—one to tell their story, and another to listen.
That's why I continue writing, recording these videos, and sharing Pat's story. Every time someone reads my book, listens to the audiobook, or watches one of my videos, his life continues to touch another heart.
For the remainder of July, Bruce and I will be taking a road trip to Kentucky to visit the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum, along with several other stops along the way.
I'll be sharing photos from our journey on my Facebook page, Lorraine Dawn Mason, and I'd love for you to follow along.
Until next month... God bless you and keep you safe.
L. Dawn Mason
June 2026 Newsletter
Hello All,
This is my first newsletter, and I want to begin by thanking you for signing up. I hope I'll make it interesting enough that you'll continue to follow along on this journey with me.
As I write this, I'm on my way home from visiting my second daughter, her husband, and my four-year-old grandchild in North Carolina. While, I was standing in line at the airport waiting to board my flight. I noticed I was standing between a man and a woman.
I turned to the woman and asked, "Are you with him?"
She nodded.
I quickly excused myself, saying that I didn't want to split anybody up.
The husband immediately replied, "Nobody can split us up."
To him, the words were simple and casual, spoken almost protectively. But to me, they pierced my heart. Those were the kind of words I believe Pat ❤️ would have said if he had been standing there. Five little words that reflected something deep I once had—and still miss.
"Nobody can split us up" wasn't just about standing together in a boarding line. It spoke of unity, certainty, belonging, and permanence. Hearing a husband defend his place beside his wife reminded me of the kind of bond Pat and I shared.
What I felt wasn't really jealousy. I was happy for them. What I felt was longing. I envied the connection they still had because I knew exactly what it felt like to belong so completely to someone that even strangers could see it.
Standing there in that boarding line, I felt the familiar ache of missing what I once had. For just a moment, I yearned for that togetherness again—that quiet certainty of knowing someone was always beside me.
Love leaves footprints on our hearts. Even after loss, those footprints remain. Sometimes they appear when we least expect them—in an airport boarding line, in a stranger's words, or in a fleeting moment that takes us back to a love we will always carry with us.
Book News
The audiobook version of It Wasn't Supposed to Last is in its final stages of production. I narrated the book myself, and I'm especially excited that Pat's letters are being voiced by narrator Joe James. Hearing those letters come to life has been a moving experience for me, and I can't wait to share it with my listeners. I hope to have more news on the release very soon.
Take care,
L. Dawn Mason
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