Okay, so I've promised to give some snapshots, some scenes, from the Amazing Family Reunion. One of the best echoes in my mind from that event is the moment my two adult sons, David and Michael, got their first look at each other after two years apart. In that two years, lots of things have happened. Both became husbands and dads in that two year span, and I had the great joy of holding both one year-old Cecilia, and (then) one month-old Anika Faith.
But one of the most startling moments for me came afterwards, looking at the pictures, seeing things I had not seen before. In one amazing picture (take a look!) I am holding Ceci, and my two sons are looking across us at each other, sharing a brotherly memory.
They are mirror images in this picture, and remind me so much of their dear Dad.
But, being a writer, I couldn't help but think what a powerful set-up this is for story, how mirror images in our stories can tell so much. I'm thinking of this today, as I've just done the final (yes, really it is) rewrite of my last chapter for FINDING NONNA.
I am delighting in the wonderful mirror scene I see reflecting the first chapter. I tell my students often that a well-written first chapter is like an arrow pointing to a mirror chapter at the end. It's fun to see it working here in my latest book--Ellie, rescuing the injured snow goose in the first chapter, and at the end, after a hard journey of spirit, rescuing in a totally different way. Ellie is changed, but the elements of chapter one are present in this final chapter, creating for me (and hopefully for the reader) a real Aha! moment.
Like the Aha! I experienced looking at this picture of my two sons, seeing reflected in them my husband, and their love for each other, and the blessing they each have in their new families.
Mirror images of joy.
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Blog: A Sound from My Heart (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: story endings, Aha moments, family reunions, Magic of Writing for Children, story beginnings, snow goose, mirror images, Add a tag
My daughter has discovered my literary hero, without a peep from me. She just knocked off Cat's Cradle, and wants more. Yay!
Add a CommentFrom Marilyn Dahl of Shelf Awareness, a wonderful site listing pronunciations of famous folk!
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Word soon spread around the Street that The Caboose was the hangout for the best and the brightest. You had to have flair to hold your own at the bar rail. The majority of Dennis’ clients were floor brokers, upstairs partners, secretaries, bankers and insurance executives. Last but not least were several lawyers who spent more time in The Caboose than in court. These attorneys, who would bill a client for asking the time of day, gave information free of charge to regulars of The Caboose. The brotherhood of boozers.
The Pope of Pine Street tended his flock with loving care. As busy as the place always was, Dennis knew most everyone and if you came often enough, you enjoyed the privilege of his full range of services: father confessor, judge and jury, psychologist, mediator, job consultant, patient listener, and, most of all, friend, especially to the regulars.
The pinnacle was having a nickname bestowed upon you by Dennis. There was: Fast Freddy, Banker Ben, Lucky Louie, Mr. Money, Bennie Bucks, Stiff Sam, Henpecked Hank, Lovely Louise, Rusty Nails Rita, and. Tiny Tina. There was: Oil Henry (one of the Pope’s proudest nicknames, as he didn’t think many of the regulars got this literary entendre), The Boss (there were a few of those, and Dennis had to be nimble if two came in together), and Mr. Bow Tie (ditto). Also: Slugger, Too Tall, Too Wide, Button Down, Red, Dutch, Shoe Shine, and Tassles.
Regulars ruled the roost, but newcomers were welcome with open arms, especially if they had a good story to tell. Many a conversation at The Caboose began with “Hey, did you hear what happened to…” or “You won’t believe what I saw….” Stories swirled in this collision of booze and bravado, fellowship and oneups-menship.
This was what The Caboose meant to hundreds of men and women: Refuge, release, and a place to swap stories about good or bad luck, good or bad love, sports, money, heroes and villains, and often just too outrageous not to be true. More tomorrow.
Blog: OUPblog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Yesterday we posted Part One of an email dialogue between Miranda Hassett and Philip Jenkins, authors respectively of Anglican Communion in Crisis (Princeton University Press) and God’s Continent: Christianity, Islam, and Europe’s Religious Crisis. Today they continue the conversation.
Email 3 and 4
Philip Jenkins with answers by Miranda Hassett.
Philip Jenkins: On your point about how I am read, I have remarked a few times in the past few years that I am a professor not a prophet! But, conservatives were dead right to take two things from my work, namely the demographic shift, and the tilt towards orthodoxy among many global South churches. If they found that message from me and credited me with that knowledge, well and good, and equally if they found hope and comfort. However, I would say again that the demographic shift is critical news (and definitely good news) for all shades of Christians, not just traditionalists. (more…)
Peggy,
Very good picture and a great post. Fmily ties bring in so many ideas with them.