What if the true reward of training wasn’t promotion—but presence?
In this heartfelt reflection on decades of Ki-Aikido practice, Keith Thorn shares the quiet power of simply showing up. This isn’t a story of titles earned, but of lessons lived—on the mat and beyond. With honesty and humility, he writes about falling, returning, aging, and learning to bow not just with the body, but with the spirit. Read More
Through personal stories and timeless truths, Thorn reveals how martial arts becomes less about recognition and more about relationship—with self, others, and the present moment.
Whether or not the next rank ever comes, he knows now: presence was the point all along.
Faith isn’t proven in sermons. It’s proven in scars.
In Faith Made Real, Keith Thorn doesn’t write from the pulpit. He writes from the trenches—where faith was tested, broken, and rebuilt.
This isn’t a book of easy answers. It’s the story of what happens when life falls apart, criticism cuts deep, prayers go unanswered, and miracles seem impossible. And yet—grace keeps showing up. Read More
With raw honesty and quiet hope, Keith shares:
The hardest lessons faith taught him (and why they stuck).
Why you don’t have to explain God—you only have to trust Him.
How small miracles can grow big faith.
What real grace looks like in seasons of loss, doubt, and love.
If you’ve ever stumbled, doubted, or wondered whether faith can survive the weight of real life—this book is for you.
Because faith doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful.
Port Isabel is more than just a destination—it’s a place of transformation. The waves whisper lessons of resilience, the wind carries the echoes of change, and the quiet moments offer wisdom only time and reflection can reveal.
In Waves, Wind, and Wisdom, Keith Thorn shares personal reflections, life lessons, and thought-provoking stories inspired by the rhythm of coastal life. From the shifting tides to the endless horizon, this collection explores the things we carry—memories, fears, habits, and beliefs—and the moment we finally let them go. Read More
Written from the heart of Port Isabel, this book is an invitation to pause, reflect, and embrace the journey—both on the road and within. Whether you’re searching for meaning, healing, or simply a new perspective, these reflections remind us that sometimes, the greatest wisdom comes from simply watching the waves.
After losing his mother and feeling an ever-widening distance from his children, Jack Callahan makes an impulsive decision—he leaves behind his life in Illinois and heads south to Port Isabel, Texas. With only his loyal dog, Cardi, and aloof cat, Millicent, as company, he embraces the solitude of RV life, believing it will bring him the peace he desperately seeks. Read More
But Port Isabel has other plans.
As Jack settles into this quiet coastal town, he finds himself drawn into an unlikely circle of travelers, each carrying their own burdens. Among them is Melanie, a woman with her own scars, whose presence stirs something Jack thought he had lost. With every sunset, ghosts of his past rise to the surface—an unsent letter, a long-lost friend, and a reckoning he never expected. He begins to realize that redemption isn’t about erasing the past but finding the strength to face it.
In the rhythm of the tides and the quiet moments between strangers, Jack learns that healing isn’t about running away—it’s about finding the courage to stay.
Finding Grace, Love, and Meaning in Life’s Second Act
When life changes—through loss, age, or the quiet rearranging of what matters most—we stand at a crossroads and ask: Now what?
In Making the Best of the Rest, author Keith Thorn invites you into an intimate, soul-stirring reflection on what it means to begin again when the road behind you is longer than the one ahead. From his coastal winters in Port Isabel, Texas, to memories of faith, family, and forgiveness, Keith shares stories that remind us: joy is still possible, peace is still reachable, and love—if we let it—still finds its way. Read More
With his trademark blend of honesty, humor, and hope, he writes not about perfection, but about presence; not about endings, but about choosing meaning over regret.
For anyone navigating change, grief, or the uncertain terrain of midlife and beyond, this book is a gentle companion and a heartfelt call to live intentionally—today.
Because the best of life isn’t over.
It’s just waiting for you to make the best of the rest.
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Short summary:
Making The Best of the Rest
A heartfelt journey of renewal, love, and purpose—finding peace and meaning while making the best of what remains.
Through highways, back roads, and life’s unexpected detours, The Long Road to Here is a memoir of resilience, self-discovery, and transformation. Set against the backdrop of scenic landscapes and pivotal crossroads, this deeply personal journey weaves together past travels, relationships, and the choices that shaped a new beginning in Port Isabel. Exploring themes of love and loss, family and estrangement, grief and renewal, it reveals how every road—no matter how winding—leads us to exactly where we are meant to be.
A Novel of Adventure, Reflection, and Second Chances
Emily and Jake embark on a six-month journey to Port Isabel, Texas, seeking a break from their routine lives. They quickly become part of a close-knit community of Winter Texans, spending their days on the sunlit beaches of South Padre Island and their evenings enjoying local gatherings. Read More
As they immerse themselves in this new environment, they confront unresolved personal challenges, including strained family relationships and past grief. Through meaningful interactions with local veterans and the discovery of a mysterious journal from the 1960s, Emily and Jake are prompted to reflect deeply on their future. Ultimately, they must decide whether to return to their former lives or embrace the possibility of a fresh start in this welcoming community.
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