W

 So it's time for the A to Z challenge.. which ended last night.. but I am 2 letters away from finishing.. so I know I can do it...



So some how.. as usual... I did X before w...so... I wanted to tell you a little bit about the book A Watershed Year by Susan Schoenberger.

I just finished reading this book.....I chose it because Watershed starts with W.
you can read more about her at her website HERE

The reason why this book is special to me... is... Susan Schoenberger's parents live in my neighborhood... and Susan's brother... is my son's Godfather.....

but enough bragging.... Susan is a writer and editor who lives in West Hartford, Connecticut, with her husband, three children and a very fun dog.. named Jackson. A Watershed Year, which won the gold medal
in the William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition, it is her first novel. Susan has worked for the Baltimore Sun, the Hartford Courant, and many other publications.

She has 11 questions in the back of the book that I find interesting for discussion....
I always like when an author does that..

She also writes about what inspired her to write the story... Some topics include death, cancer and adoption..



A review from Theresa S.Barger from CT
From the first page, "A Watershed Year" sucks you in and holds onto you. As the protagonist copes with an excruciating loss, her friends and family help her through. This quiet book reminds me of Anna Quindlen's "One True Thing" in its study of family and relationships and their power and importance, flaws and all. Susan Schoenberger writes with such grace, wit and authenticity that the characters and their struggles feel real. The author's insights into relationships are profound. While it's hard to put down, it's also hard to forget.

The story follows Lucy, a college professor, as she grieves a deep loss, through her decision to adopt a child. As she faces her grief, the story is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. You will need a box of tissues, but you'll cheer for Lucy's strength, courage and the sustaining love from her friends and family. Any parent or grandparent will recognize the bond that ties them to their child.

This beautifully written tale will seep into your heart and stay in your mind.
If you have a book club.. maybe you should choose it for next months.. book club read... For my local followers... she will be having a book signing in the Newburgh, Barnes and Noble.. this month. May 22, 2011
2pm.
Another interesting link is....www.shereads.org
where you can watch a video... of the author... being interviewed...

I have been fascinated with adoptions.. and Russian adoptions.. as over the years as a pre-k teacher a number of the children... that I taught and had a great rapport with were adopted from Russia.
I read a great book last year about Russian adoption called The Russian word for Snow by Janis Cooke Newman. It is also an excellent book.

Day 12

Well, it's only a few more days and the 14 day journaling and letter writing "tutorial" will be over.
I am reading a book entitled Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah it's about two teens in the seventies and eighties, and the friendship between 2 women. I find it interesting for many levels, one because of the eighties aspect and 2 because I have many friends who come to my parties, and speak to me on facebook or in person but not any long term life friends. I had a friend from college that was in my wedding that I had known for 13 plus years, we had a falling out and I choose not to include her in my life, sometimes I feel like that may not have been the right decision, and yes, I could pick up the phone and call her or better yet get out some nice stationary and write her a letter but I think about it... and decide no. I do envy some who have long life best friends that don't judge them or give them unsolicited advice. I found a part of the book with a letter in it that I wanted to share here. The reason why I am sharing it is not only because it is a letter but because I have a grandmother who has played a huge role in my life and means so much to me, I lived with her more than my own mother and I was touched by this letter...
"There were things she was supposed to do now, she knew that. She and Gran had talked about this, done this to prepare. Tully knew though, that no words could have really prepared her for this.
  She went over to Gran's nightstand, where a pretty rosewood box sat beneath the photo of Granpa and alongside the battalion of medications. She lifted the lid, feeling vaguely like a thief, but Gran expected this of her. When I go home , Gran always said,"I'll leave you something int he box grandpa bought me.
Inside, laying atop the cluster of inexpensive jewelry that Tully could rarely remember her Grandmother wearing, was a folded piece of pink paper with Tully's name written on it.
Slowly, she reached out, took the letter, and opened it.
My dearest Tully~
I am so sorry. I know how afraid you are of being alone, of being left behind, but God has his plan for all of us. I would have stayed with you longer if I could have. Your grandfather and I will always be watching out for you from Heaven. You will never be alone if you believe in that.
You were the greatest joy of my life. Love, Gran
Were.
Gran was gone."
So I encourage you to hide a note some where for your spouse, child , friend or parents today.

Day 9

well many of you won't want to do today's journal and post so if not you can skip it. It is something I always need to do, and find it theraputic.
  My father died suddenly March 10th 2003. He had retired at 53 and had purchased land and build a house with my step-mother in Myrtle Beach. I don't really like to remember his death date, although, I remember the call vividly~ and the shock and sadness that followed. His birthday was in April and I like to remember that. My sister and stepmother are on facebook and they always post pictures of him in March and that is there way of thinking of him and missing him, so it reminded me the day was coming up. So I have decided to tell you all that writing to someone who has passed can be very helpful. I wrote my father a sorry letter and put it in his casket when he died. (did I think he would sit up in the dark and read it, no but the afterlife if still so unknown- for those of you who even believe in that)
so the challenge of the day is to write a letter to someone who has passed and tell them all the things you forgot or couldn't and I will post one of the letters I have written to my dad since he has passed.