Well... they all certainly had their secrets now, didn't they?
Pandora opened her box and BOOM-BOOM-BOOM out came this little secret, that little dirty lie, the other musky tidbit.
Cecilia opened her letter and BAM-BAM-BAM her world turned upside down. Good old John Paul wasn't quite the saint he was named after now was he?
Tess listened to Will and Felicity's admission of love and POW-POW-POW her job and entire life with husband and cousin were cast in a totally different light.
Rachel sitting in the hospital heard Cecilia whisper that "John Paul did it." KA-BOOM! What went through her mind? We don't think forgiveness. We think acceptance? Reconciliation? Understanding of her own mistake, compassion for John Paul's? Closure? And that closure leads to openness to life moving forward?
Could you forgive your daughter's murderer?
Could you forgive your husband's violent act, his fit of rage?
Could you forgive yourself a moment's vengeful act?
Liane Moriarity, you wrote a good story. You developed some good characters. We love Cecilia. We don't get Will. We ache for Rachel.
Liane Moriarity, well done. Not excellent. But well done. We will watch you develop over the years.
And who exactly are "we"? Our holly, jolly 2013 Christmas photo... We missed you Jane and Betty R.
Knowing this was going to be a festive occasion as set out by the invite, our hostesses (Mary, Cathi, Rita and Betty V) opened up the fun with red and green Tomato-Basil Soup. (Get it, red and green?) Sliding into zesty Veal Picata, risotto and pancetta peas. Sipping some bubbly while relaxing over Sabayon with Forest Berries. Sparkling balls and reindeer. A photo of last Christmas to greet us.
Ladies, you pulled out all the stops. And we thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
So, you are wondering, next month? Wonder no more. In fact we have chosen for January AND February.
January 10th we will step outside our comfort zones and read a book of short stories. By 2013 Nobel Prize winner
Alice Munro. Dear Life. Alice
is thought as the best English language short story writer alive. At
84, she has said this is her last book. Let's dig in. Betty R and Jane are hosting us.
Moving right along. Since the whole table gets starry-eyed when someone mentions the name 'Donna Tartt', we have to read her latest book. Just have to. It took her 10 years to write this latest book. 784 pages. Yes, get up off the floor, it's a long one Edith. So we are announcing now,
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is our book for February.
Ladies, enjoy the Christmas season.
Friends,
families,
memories,
adventures.
Smiles, hugs, laughter.
Much love, sara
