Just when I was getting some good news about my huge uterine mass likely not being cancer and could exhale a peaceful breath, our world erupts in fire. Yesterday over 500 strikes hit Iran, and now they have retaliated unlike anything I have ever seen. Strikes have hit or been intercepted from Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, to Dubai, and Oman.
All of those children. Mothers. Fathers. Families. With no clear plan. No congressional approval. Why?
I just want to get ready for my upcoming surgery. Take care of my home. My dogs. Love my children. Write. It’s only two weeks away.
My tumor may weigh seven pounds, but right now it feels astronomically heavier.
Now that they have vowed vengeance I fear for our world.
And wonder. What will happen now?
About Laurie: “Fantastically original concept,” reviewers say. “An art-born world full of prophecies, enchanted creatures, and wishes that come true.”
Laurie Woodward is a multi-award-winning writer whose Artania screenplay was optioned in 2025. Her published works include Time Murmurations, Finding Joy, The Artania Chronicles series, and Forest Secrets. Each project champions hope, resilience, and empowerment—encouraging children to stay authentic, whether facing bullies in real life or dark forces in fantasy.
Her honors include recognition from the Writers of the Future Contest and publication in A Hudson View Poetry Digest, and many anti-bullying grants. She also co-wrote the memoir Dean and JoJo: The Dolphin Legacy, featured in the IMAX film Dolphins, Robin Williams’ In the Wild, and Animal Planet.
A former bilingual teacher and peace consultant, Laurie’s lifelong mission is to nurture creativity, believing that artistic expression can spark extraordinary change.
More about her work can be found at https://lauriewoodward.com/
Laurie Woodward 