i love this commercial. (yeah, words i didn’t think i’d ever utter.) i don’t think it’s the fact it’s about the olympics, but rather about the rough and tumble beginnings we all make (made) as kids (adults) at the start of our dreams.
what i take away from this is that it’s important to keep in mind that whenever we start something new, whether it’s a book, a building project, a painting, running or whatever you’re interested in, we are all beginners. no matter how old you are.
and that’s okay.
this card arrived in the mail the other day.
my birthday is in january.
baby mac’s name was on the return address, so i figured she must have something to do with this, not to mention the “call me for an explanation” note sister J wrote on the back of the envelope…
i called.
me: sooooo, i got an interesting letter today.
sister J: oh my gosh. that was all baby mac. we were cleaning up some of the last remaining boxes [from the move] and she found a stack of hallmark cards. she saw that one and said, ‘send to abby?'”
me: *wonders why fuzzy golf cards and belated birthdays make baby mac think of me*
sister J: and then she wanted to get out the dot markers to decorate it. i let her do her thing and tried to stay out of it. i was very surprised when she refused to use her favorite purple marker. i asked her why and she said “abby no like purple.”
me: i have nothing against purple.
sister J: well, she knows sister E likes purple and i suppose only one person at a time can like a color, so in her head, you hate purple.
me: fair enough.
(side note: a few days after i got this card, sister J and baby mac were talking about colors again. when asked what my favorite color was, baby mac thought and thought and then said, “swedish fish!” well played, baby mac, well played. or should i say, well trained, aunt abby, well trained.)
sister J: did i even write anything in the card?
me: yes, you wrote her name and i love you. it’s super sweet.
sister J: and the best part was that she was SO EXCITED to take the letter to the mailbox. checking the mailbox and carrying in the mail is one of her favorite parts of the day, so she couldn’t wait to put something in it for a change.
her love of the mailbox was certainly infused in that card, as it made my checking of my mailbox the most exciting part of that day. i only wish i could be there to see her face when she finds the bright blue card i mailed to her.
in the meantime, i’m going to cherish this tangible element of the randomness of a kid’s brain.
UPDATED TO ADD:
the blue letter arrived!
i first “met” linda on twitter. i quickly became enamored with her humor, but it was her generosity that impressed me the most. she consistently makes the blog rounds and comments on my (little) blog, even though she’s got bigger things to do and more important blogs to read. she knows how to make a girl feel special. and that’s all without ever having met me offline!
so when the call went out for participants for an ARC (advanced reader copy) tour, i jumped up and down and waved my arms and flailed in what i hope was a flattering manner because, man, did i want to be a part of that. not only did i want to do whatever i could to support linda’s debut book, but selfishly, i really really really want to read that story.
she picked me! and when the book came my way, i took a deep breath and dove right on in.
you guys. you’re going to adore this book. it’s everything i hoped it’d be. it’s full of fascinating people, crazy situations, and even more hilarious solutions to get out of those situations. but the best part of all is that despite her unusual abilities, ciel is completely relatable.
she’s just a girl who’s trying to get the job done while looking cute, remaining independent, and nursing a crush on an unattainable guy. she may not always look like herself, but her personality shines through and draws the guys (and the readers) in like any good magnet would.
don’t even try to resist.
the story is fast paced, complete, and yet leaves the door (and the readers’ hearts) open for more.
the only tragedy here? that we have to wait so long to see what awaits ciel next!
thanks for letting me be a part of the tour and thanks for acknowledging my status as a winner with the debutante ball’s own ARC contest.
oh, sheesh, i almost forgot the BEST PART OF THIS POST. you can buy linda’s book at the bookstore nearest you! TODAY. yup. it’s available right this very minute. what are you waiting for? go. Go. GO BUY IT. you won’t regret it.
my mumblings 