Author Inspired by Inner Child

by Maren Schober

“Readers who are young and young at heart will learn Who helps them along life's journey”, shares Sandy Mattucci, Newington, about her new book “The Long Journey Home.”

“When did I first get interested in writing?” Sandy Mattucci, author, Newington, repeats my question.  “Oh, my gosh!  It was way back when I was a young child.  I always loved to play with words and I attempted to bring them to life with my sketches.”

“Back in 1990 as a Hospital Chaplain I had a ministry with children at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, WI. I loved helping little ones to discover a “God”  who is always with them.  Helping children this way inspired me to write and illustrate my first book, ‘The Long Journey Home.’”

“The Long Journey Home” is a children’s book published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. of Pittsburgh, PA.  It is a spiritual journey for the young and young at heart in which two curious hermit crabs named Harvard and Helena leave their comfortable underwater cave to find the light above the surface of the ocean’s depths.  Their journey leads them through unexpected perils and dangerous encounters they never imagined.  Despite their challenges, they do not turn back.  They meet wise old Papa Crawler along the way who teaches them truth and how to understand life’s lessons.

“I celebrate each moment that I am in the present,” Sandy continues.  “I realize that God is within my heart and is with me in each step.  I am deeply filled with wonder and gratitude for the God who inspires the words that flow from within me and moves with my hand when I hold a pencil. My hope is that through writing my readers will celebrate their own personal journey.”

Sandy shares a special experience with me.

“ A woman who read “The Long Journey Home” to her son told me that years ago her little boy brought home a pet hermit crab.  After getting the crab settled, the boy went to sleep.  When he woke up he could not find his pet crab and thought his cat devoured him.  Dressing himself to go outside, his first sneaker went on without difficulty.  What do you suppose he found in the second sneaker?  Yes!  It held the hermit crab!  His joy was turned to consternation when the crab clipped his toe.  He let out a shout!”

In addition to writing Sandy loves to spend time in the outdoors.

“Hiking down into the belly of a canyon, playing upon the water in my kayak, biking up a hill and enjoying the flight down, or swinging a golf club sending a little white ball soaring into a beautiful green carpeted fairway…these are a few of my favorite activities.  I also savor sacred time with my soul sisters and brothers who join me on my journey.”

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