…then there was today. Yesterday was day 4 of my Young Authors Workshop. The children were very excited because the next day they were doing “author readings” in the store and the local newspaper was coming. They spent the better part of the class finishing the illustrations for their books they were going to share and practicing public speaking. Day four was a huge success and I was flying high as I headed to Sudbury to find the local Koko Fit Club. I had a great workout and the day ended with a beautiful dinner with my friend Stephanie who owns the store. Getting home quite late, the big reception for this morning weighing on my mind, I went to bed without posting. I didn’t even notice until late this afternoon.
And then there was today. I woke up at about 6:15 and turned on the news to wake up slowly. So much for that idea. The first thing I heard was Alston Brighton under lockdown. My daughter lives there. I jumped up and began texting her not to go to work. She answers I know, Mom, I’ve been up since 5 am. The outer lying towns around Boston, next to Lexington where I was, were also locked down. Great. I have kids, parents and the newspaper heading to the store at 11 am for our reception. By 10 am we decided to go ahead with it. (All the while my daughter is in the back of my mind.) I felt like I was stretched between two emotions – fear for her and excitement for the kids.
The reception and readings were awesome. The kids really came through. They introduced themselves and their work. They read loud and with expression. They received awards that they had voted on amongst themselves, highlighting each one’s special talent, they talked with authority to the reporter – I couldn’t have been prouder of them. I so wish I had a picture, but I was the MC and in the state I was in, I neglected to have someone take them with my phone. (The sight of my phone only represented my daughter’s texts.)
By 1pm it was all over and I slid onto 95 south and snuck out of Boston. I arrived home on Cape Cod by 2:30 and crashed. I was still a little worried leaving my daughter up there, but she assured me she was fine and I should go home.
I finally dragged myself out of my chair at 6:30 and with the help of a little Dunkin Donuts, made my way to the store to get food for hubby who was two hours away. In the store my daughter texts me that the T is running and the lockdown was lifted. I put on the TV when I got home and see the suspect is trapped in a boat in a backyard in Watertown. I text my daughter and tell her. She replies, “It’s a good thing because I’m headed to a bar in Brookline. I plugged in my curling iron as soon as the ban was lifted!”
I guess she’s fine. I’m fine too. A little beat up, but fine. I poured a glass of red (it’s definitely not a white night) and I’m sitting here waiting for my husband, glad the suspect is contained, my daughter is safe, thankful no more people are getting hurt, and Stephanie and I pulled out a wonderful last day for our young writers.
And so, as another day goes by, (I’m glad to let this day go by) we will all be okay out here in eastern mass, and …I have finally written.
I’m proud – I have to share the bright spots of the day:
Getting ready!
Finished products!
You had a fantastic experience empowering those young authors/illustrators – something to remember always. And the terrorists, well, they won’t stop us (glad Ashley is fine).
Diane