A Clean Slate
‘If you want something badly enough and if you NEED something badly enough, you can always get it.’--Roald Dahl, GOING SOLO Alan and I didn’t do much for New Year’s Eve. No party...just a couple of movies: OSCAR AND LUCINDA, AMISTAD will probably stick with me for a while. OSCAR AND LUCINDA are the main characters that follow their romance in a dramatic way. It’s based on a 1988 book. Something tells me the book would provide so much more detail. It starred one of my favorite actresses, Cate Blanchett. AMISTAD was a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg (who is one master filmmaker). The story following the true events of 1839 aboard the Spanish slave ship known as La Amistad. It was abducted for the slave trade and the case was ultimately resolved by the US Supreme Court in 1841.
I don’t ask myself what to give up. I ask myself how I may provide new self-care and love in my life. I have decided I need to read more books. There’s nothing more rewarding than self-study or learning from a unique story with magical words.
On the 3rd of January I received a sweet note from Cousin Marie-Antoinette in Pueblo, CO:
Dear Michael:
As always, I pray this New Year is treating you great. Sorry I haven’t written but the flu took hold for a few days, and I had to let it run its course.
My Christmas present was just beautiful. Thanks so much. You’re so thoughtful!
I, too, felt so lucky meeting you this past year. You were the highlight of my year! I was very young when my cousins moved away, so you can imagine the joy out of meeting you after all those years.
I was really looking forward to California and seeing you again for the holidays, but it just didn’t come to be. Maybe sometime soon.
God Bless you, Michael, and all the family. I promise to write soon and elaborate a little more.
Love Always,
Marie-Antoinette
Dorothy Rua was amidst snow flurries just before Christmas 1997 when she sent this note. I just received it. I loved the card. It delights me to see love inside a cafe:
Michael, I headed to Taho (where I am at this moment to think about my situation. I’ll let you know what I decide. In the meantime, I decided to spend this day by myself while the rest of the family is skiing on the slopes. Wonderful, fresh, white snow everywhere and lots of sunshine. It’s so beautiful up here and it confirms there must be a God.
I want you to know how much you surprised me with the Christmas package you sent—with not on, but two gifts! I was tempted to pent them but decided to wait until Christmas, you know what they say about anticipation. How wonderful of you to think of me and do something so special. I did open the car and loved it. It’s so me, so you.
Michael, you’re the BEST and I’m also so glad you’re in my life. Someday I’ll have to share with you why I often refer to you as my angel.
I have not purchased one Christmas gift yet, haven’t had the time to even think about it. Obviously, I’ll be going nuts trying to find the time this week. Love, Dorothy
“A day spent reading is not a great day. But a life spent reading is a wonderful life.” --Ayad Akhtar, HOMELAND ELEGIES, a novel
