Years ago, when we were first married and I was lacking in confidence much of the time, my husband Paul told me the shortest poem in the English language was, "Why try?"  He suggested I insert one word--not--and make the sentence "Why not try?" 

That has been my motivation for submitting manuscripts for publication, for attending art classes, and doing many different crafts:  knitting, crocheting, embroidery, scrapbook making, greeting cards, and many other crafts that don't immediately come to mind.  I may have been the person doing the "trying" on these different projects, but Paul gets full credit for encouragement. 

While I have been doing my thing(s), Paul has shown a good example with his wood working.  He is especially talented with scroll saw work, but there are no limits to his artwork.   I think because of the little talk we had years ago, we have also encouraged our children in their arts and crafts. 

Tom is involved in building race cars.  Chris is very talented in music and has made some cd's of his own music.  Anita loves card making and has done a little work painting candle holders.  Annette does excellent cross stitch work and is searching for new projects to do.  Jason (Taz) is a very talented artist, and has sold a lot of his work.  The world is open to my children--mostly because of that little "Why not  try?" conversation back in 1964. 

I believe if we try something and it turns out badly, we have at least probably learned something.  We might try again, and it will look a little better--and maybe eventually it'll look pretty good.  It might even become a sale-able product.  If we never try, we will always wonder, and maybe miss out on a lot of good things in life.