Congratulations. These projects are so rewarding. I have also uncovered family stories and am so grateful for the insight the process has given me. Such a gift.
Alice, I can't wait to read it too! Especially because one of my three substacks is what I call my "crazy dysfunctional family memoir-in-progress" - also with secrets as a central theme. But of course!
We people of a considerable age all had parents - and grandparents - for whom keeping secrets was a given, a past time, the only honorable thing that one can do.
Like you, I've been on a mission . . . my parents left me oh so many breadcrumb trails to follow. Especially my Dad. He held on to a ton of paper - stories, a novel, a partially written memoir, scholarly essays - for a long time.
And by 2004 or 2005 he had a dementia diagnosis but was completely cognizant of what it meant. And yet, he didn't get rid of anything of those saved papers that very much point to . . . things!
Agree with Jan Peppler's remark below. I thought I'd figured my Mom out by the time I was 45, when she died.
Nope.
I'm 58 now and "getting there," if by that I mean (I hope) truly understanding just a smidgeon of what she went through and what it was like for her.
Both parents suffered a great deal, due to circumstances and the need to keep it all oh so secret.
Can we ever truly appreciate our parents when we are younger? I think we need to live, and to reach their ages when they raised us to begin to even glimpse who they were- outside of our child’s eyes. This book is a tremendous gift to them, even after they have transitioned from this life - and to you and to all who come after you. These ate the stories we all need to hear 🧡
I look forward to reading it! I know you continued to dot 'i's and cross 't's after you first shared Motherland. Reading the final version will be another treat.
Your talent and perseverance (even in your 60s+) are paying off! I am so happy for you!
Just ordered the book. Congratulations Alice! Can't wait to read it.
How wonderful! Congratulations to you.
Congratulations, Alice! I can’t wait for the launch party!
Congratulations. These projects are so rewarding. I have also uncovered family stories and am so grateful for the insight the process has given me. Such a gift.
So exciting, deserved and anticipated! Congrats, Alice. Will pre-order now!
Congratulations Alice! I am really looking forward to reading it. What a profound hommage to the beautiful people your parents were. Love you!
Alice, I can't wait to read it too! Especially because one of my three substacks is what I call my "crazy dysfunctional family memoir-in-progress" - also with secrets as a central theme. But of course!
We people of a considerable age all had parents - and grandparents - for whom keeping secrets was a given, a past time, the only honorable thing that one can do.
Like you, I've been on a mission . . . my parents left me oh so many breadcrumb trails to follow. Especially my Dad. He held on to a ton of paper - stories, a novel, a partially written memoir, scholarly essays - for a long time.
And by 2004 or 2005 he had a dementia diagnosis but was completely cognizant of what it meant. And yet, he didn't get rid of anything of those saved papers that very much point to . . . things!
Agree with Jan Peppler's remark below. I thought I'd figured my Mom out by the time I was 45, when she died.
Nope.
I'm 58 now and "getting there," if by that I mean (I hope) truly understanding just a smidgeon of what she went through and what it was like for her.
Both parents suffered a great deal, due to circumstances and the need to keep it all oh so secret.
Oy!
How thrilling! I cannot wait to read it.
Wonderful!
Can we ever truly appreciate our parents when we are younger? I think we need to live, and to reach their ages when they raised us to begin to even glimpse who they were- outside of our child’s eyes. This book is a tremendous gift to them, even after they have transitioned from this life - and to you and to all who come after you. These ate the stories we all need to hear 🧡
Congratulations!
Great, I will certainly read it.
this is wonderful! congratulations ...
Congratulations!!!
Preordered! Can’t wait to read it
I look forward to reading it! I know you continued to dot 'i's and cross 't's after you first shared Motherland. Reading the final version will be another treat.
Your talent and perseverance (even in your 60s+) are paying off! I am so happy for you!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful news, Alice! I look forward to reading your story.