I lied.
It wasn’t on purpose. I suppose it was just a slip of my middle-aged mind. A year ago, I entered my first RWA chapter contest. When the coordinator called to tell me I finaled, I was the happiest camper you could ever have known. Finaling in the first contest I tried! Unfortunately, there was an error. It wasn’t caught until they posted the finalists. Seeing my name wasn’t on the list, I emailed the coordinator. The mistake was found, and I wasn’t a finalist after all. 
To make up for the problem, the coordinator offered me a free entry this year. I have no recollection of actually sending it. Again, I blame middle age. But I evidently sent Faith of the Heart to them. She called last night to tell me it is a finalist. (Two for two with that story!!)
She was so nice. She started the conversation with, “I doubt you’ll believe me but…” We had a nice chat. It sure made a nice consolation prize for missing out on the Golden Heart hysteria. And I figured this was a great way to end my contesting career. You remember — the one I already thought I’d ended.
So, when all is said and done… I’m right back where I started. 