Sometimes, I think my weeks are themed. Like sometimes the theme is ‘clumsy’ and other times the theme is ‘karma’. This week, it’s clearly all about a dream.
Not just mine–though, there is that too.
Yesterday a box arrived and as soon as I saw it there was a catch in my breath–an urgency to tear open the box and make it a real life moment instead of just another wistful what if. And yes, when that moment came to pass it was everything I imagined it would be.
I think back over the publishing process–the high highs and the low lows. Long before there was an agent and contracts and publishers there was just this quiet question: what’s my story? And though the words on those pages are printed in a language foreign to me, still they come together and tell the story of a girl’s life. Not a real girl, of course, but a girl who is pieces of me. She’ll come to life for Italian readers and just maybe she’ll pierce their hearts and stick with them.
It’s the best I can hope for.
Torri has dreams, too, and this week counts towards them.
Tomorrow I will board a plane with her. The only trouble is that my ticket is round-trip and hers is one-way. I know because I’ve been one that all the moms of little-ers read that and mourn the thought of a child moving so far from home. I know because I’m one now that the moms of young adults read that and smile a sad, knowing smile. We teach them to dream big dreams and then to chase those big dreams down, no holds barred. The hard part is watching them go about the business of it.
I’m avoiding the reality of what will happen when Tuesday comes and I go back to the airport alone. Those thoughts are too far away right now and I like it that way.
But there is this: Back when my big life was starting I flew from California to Tennessee with a preschooler by my side and an infant in my arms. The plane lifted into clouds that were gray and heavy with rain. Except for I don’t really know if it was a dreary day or if I only remember it that way because it was so impossible a thing for me to do. To take my babies and leave home.
No babies in her arms–just eyes open wide and a big, big world of maybes. Dreams, I think, are made of wistful what ifs. Walt Disney said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
He’s right. The proof came delivered in a box just yesterday.
Yay! Know it makes it feel “more real” holding that book in your hand. Congrats! Congrats to Torri too – hope she gets my card before yall leave tomorrow.
So awesome! I guess we won’t be talking until next week, hopefully! Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Sad, but exciting! I’m happy for the fulfillment of both of your dreams this week.
Proud of you for pursuing your dream! Wish I could read a copy of your book!
Couldn’t be more proud to be friends with the amazing woman you are!! I am so excited about your book and can’t wait for a personally signed copy just for me to read!! I can only imagine how good it’s going to be! I love love your blog!! Please remember you have a friend semi close for Tori! If she needs anything!! XoXo
I’m an Italian girl and I love reading. I always keep updated about the new Garzanti books coming out and as soon as I saw “The Song of Sweet Magnolias” I knew it would be a wonderful story and I bought it. Looking at the picture of your family (at the end of the book) makes me feel serene, because you all seem so happy and sweet. Then I found your blog, that is gorgeous too.
Congrats for everithing: your book, your family, your blog… And thank you so much for writing this amazing story. I’m happy that it’s available in Italian too!
Hi, Laura! Thank you so much for both buying the book and commenting here on my blog. It is so exciting for me to hear from an Italian reader! I hope you enjoy Rebecca’s story as much as I enjoyed telling it. Best to you and yours.
Congratulations to both of you!
I love this book! I bought it because it was about Down syndrome, but I’ve got so much more. There is so much life in the pages, you’ve dug into the souls of your characters so that I feel like I know them, I loved them, I got angry with them, I cried with them, I was excited with them!
It is a book about choices, how much it cost to make them, how much you lose, how much you earn. It is not the choice, it is the inertia that paralyzes and numbs life.
A book that teaches me to read behind the prejudices and try to look at things from multiple points of view. The life and the nuances of life!
You took from the book exactly what I had hoped readers would take. I’m humbled by your comment, Martina. Thank you for taking the time to share this with me.
The first thing I thought when I finished it was that I really would like to read it in ora original language… I hope I will be able to do it soon.