It's
Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday
Yesterday I received a Facebook message from someone who was both a grade school and high school friend. (Yes, once again Facebook has been a good thing for me, so I guess I better quit stating that I don't like Facebook!) It wasn't "just a message," but it contained some very profound words. The kind of words we writers live for.
Her name is Debbie and we'd kept slightly in touch through Facebook, mostly through our "Group Leader" who is so good about keeping classmates up to date on things, and arranging reunions, both large and small. A couple of weeks ago, Debbie sent me a check for a signed copy of my memoir. The following are her words, taken directly from our Facebook messages. (And yes, she gave me permission to use them.)
DEBBIE
"Totally enjoyed your
book. Will definitely be interested in your sequel. It did make me laugh, make
me sad, made me want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with the author like Judith
Hendricks said. And it also did make me remember a lot more from my past and
brought my life into a sharper focus like Susan Bono said. It definitely left
me wanting more so bring on that sequel girlfriend - I am definitely ready. Thanks
again, Becky."
"Oh by the way - Was Gary XXX the boy in grade school? Thought I
recognized the description. If it was, it was the first boy I kissed in 8th
grade. LOL...
Maybe not the first
for sure but the first I can remember. CRS"
Becky
"OMG! You are one fast reader, Debbie!" [I think she read it in one day.] "Thank you SO MUCH for your
compliments!! Those words mean the world to me! And yes, that was Gary XXX!
I asked his permission first, to use his name, and after I wrote the chapter,
let him read it and give his okey dokey! He's a really nice guy. Did you
remember that the house your family was renting on 87th Street, was the one my
family moved into and rented after your home was ready?? Thanks to YOU! I think
you had me over for dinner one night, or something, and I found out then about
you guys renting it. You saved us!! True!"
DEBBIE
"ZZZZ did tell me
about that although I had a stroke in 1975 and I lost a lot of memories - so I
did not recall it. I am not very computer savvy on sharing anything correctly
but I did put a new message on facebook about your book. I think you brought
back memories for me that I thought I had lost forever and I am not sure how
but somehow through the listing of songs and just different little things -
something started coming back. Amazing. You are sure welcome to use anything I
have written to you as a quote or recommendation. Also, you are an inspiration
also to all of us that kept things inside and our insecurities. Still trying to
figure out what I want to be when I grow up. LOL but not really funny. I use
laughter as a defense.
PS I am not usually a
fast reader however I just wanted to keep reading - couldn't put it down."
Becky
"You are so sweet! And
I'm sorry I didn't know about your stroke. How wonderful that you have
recovered from it as much as you have! YOU are inspirational, Debbie. And I agree
with you....I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up!
Thank you again!! My STA and St. Philips friends/aquaintances have been my best
cheerleaders! It feels so wonderful. Bless you...and xoxo "
~~~
This Is Why I Write. This is what I hope for when I write; for readers to feel something...happiness, sadness, memories of their own, hopefully to make a difference in their lives. And when Debbie shared her above feelings with me, I was on top of the world.
“If the book is true, it will find an audience that is meant to read it.”
—Wally Lamb
