Children’s author follows her dreams

LIME SPRINGS - Maria Klingsheim can be the poster child of following your heart and dreams. 

Being a classically-trained musician, she assumed she’d end up in a big city looking for ways to use her talents and skills — singing and performing in front of large crowds, directing theater productions and choirs and teaching.

What she did was listen to God and followed her husband, Aaron, to a small dairy farm north of Lime Springs, where he grew up. 

There, they are raising their three children, Israel (age 7), Ryan (6) and Anna (3).

She still enjoys sharing her music, but she also followed a new dream of being a published author.

Her thought-provoking children’s book “U and I are Friends” is even touching the hearts and lives of parents and grandparents.

Years and years ago, the letters of the alphabet were split into two groups by law — straight and curvy. They were ordered to never cross the dividing line. U and I courageously became friends and reunited the entire alphabet.

Klingsheim explains, “In this life we all are better when we choose to work together.”

The story started out as a poem. “About five years ago, I simply got to thinking about the alphabet, because it’s what a mom of young children is constantly doing! The poem took shape fairly quickly, but then I worked on it for months, trying to get just the right words and cadence.”

She shared the poem with others, who loved the plot and story it told. Only then did she even consider publishing it. “There’s just something special about this piece. It’s truly beyond me. I realized it was meant to live in a book and be shared with the world.”

Klingsheim went through a full-service, self-publishing agency, which helped her with illustrations and navigating a world she knew very little about.

“Going with Christian Faith Publishing was, in itself, a leap of faith — but it was important to me that I own all the rights to the entire work. They walked with me through the process, and at each step, I felt my confidence grow,” she said. 

It took about 18 months from when she submitted her manuscript until is was in her hands. She joked it could have been sooner, but she took her time in making decisions.

Since then, she has been going gangbusters with book-signings and using her other God-given talents of singing, public speaking and enjoying watching her children flourish. 

Besides growing up on the farm, the kids have grown up with “U and I.” The boys can read the book themselves, but Anna also knows it by heart as Klingsheim set the words to music. 

“U and I” is her first book, but she has written songs throughout her life. “I would write when I needed to for work or for shows I directed . . . or an occasional sermon.”

She currently has many irons in the fire. After having one book under her belt, Klingsheim has other story ideas brewing, but nothing solid.

“During the pandemic, I took courses to become a life coach. After being a teacher and in church ministry for years, this wasn’t a huge leap. Many of the skills I learned and utilized in those fields, as well as my work in leadership, cross over into coaching. 

“My aim is to help people live in peace with God, themselves and others . . . one decision at a time. This is something I have implemented in my own life over the past few years. I committed to small changes, and they have yielded good results.

“I believe everyone is able to do a little bit each day toward a goal, and sometimes, having a coach offers just the nudge needed to get going.”

Klingsheim has proven that goals and dreams can change, pointing a person in a different direction. “When you learn to tune in to God and begin to play and sing the notes He’s written for you, your life will undoubtedly have harmony.”

The energetic mom has been busy this spring with book-signings at malls, libraries and during her concerts.

Some upcoming events include a reading and music at Harmony Library on June 9 at 9:30 a.m.; Lime Springs Library on June 15 at 10 a.m.; Lanesboro Library on June 15 at 3 p.m.; and Spring Valley Library on July 20 at 1:30 p.m.

“U and I are Friends” can be purchased at Unique Boutique in Cresco and Lime Springs Public Library. It is also available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.