David Ozab article appears in new CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: DEVOTIONAL STORIES FOR TOUGH TIMES

About the book

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: DEVOTIONAL STORIES FOR TOUGH TIMES includes a story by Eugene writer and Mid-Valley member David Ozab

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: DEVOTIONAL STORIES FOR TOUGH TIMES includes a story by Eugene writer and Mid-Valley member David Ozab.

Eugene writer and Mid-Valley member David Ozab is among 101 writers selected for the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul book, DEVOTIONAL STORIES FOR TOUGH TIMES. His article, “Truth at the Benefit Sale,” is Ozab’s first published-in-print article. The story begins:

“Cleft lip.” The words had rung in my head since the ultrasound. At twenty-two weeks, a shadow on our unborn child’s lip shattered our dreams of the perfect baby. We were facing surgeries, possible feeding problems, and other unknown complications. How were we going to handle this? We prayed every night, desperate for an answer, but the question still haunted us. After two weeks of anguish, we needed a break. That’s why Julia suggested we go to this benefit sale.

The story is drawn from Chapter Four of Ozab’s non-fiction book, A SMILE FOR ANNA. “The book tells the story of my daughter’s life from the womb to about age four,” says Ozab, “including her cleft diagnosis and surgery, her difficulties with speech and her incredible outgoing spirit through it all.” Ozab is currently working on the manuscript and is seeking representation.

The Ozab family was previously featured in local media in 2007, when they arranged a fundraising drive together with a local church and area hospitals. They raised over $2,000 to buy special bears through the ACPA Family Resources for children undergoing cleft surgery. David has also appeared on Eugene KEZI TV to discuss his book and childhood speech issues.

About the author

David Ozab is a father, writer, and one of the wonderful member volunteers who assists the Mid-Valley Chapter of Willamette Writers. He also maintains the Fatherhood Etc. blog, and is seeking additional freelance opportunities. He is a Contributing Editor at About This Particular Macintosh and a Guest Contributor at MyEugene. Ozab has also worked as a composer, a college instructor, and a web designer. He lives in Oregon with his wife Julia, his daughter Anna, and two lop rabbits named Jellybean and Oreo.

More information at his website, www.davidozab.com.

Available now

CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: DEVOTIONAL STORIES FOR TOUGH TIMES is available at: