Thanks to my blogger friend Shirley, and her fabulous blog: 100 memoirs, I was alerted to a new memoir by Hope Edelman, The Possibility of Everything.
Hope Edelman and I have three things in common:
- We both live in southern California.
- We both placed our hopes on Belize to resolve a problem we had with our kid(s).
- We both want to give back to Belize as a result of a positive experience.
There are also many differences between Hope and myself: she is a bestselling author and has the title of Mommy Guru after writing: Motherless Daughters, Motherless Mothers, Mother of My Mother, Letters From Motherless Daughters and now her memoir, The Possibility of Everything.
As soon as I read the Los Angeles Times article, I had to meet her. “In 2000, when her daughter Maya was 3, Edelman became convinced that Maya was inhabited by an evil spirit. She and her husband, Uzi, took Maya to a bush doctor and then a well-known shaman in Belize to have the spirit evicted from their daughter’s body.” It worked.
Although Hope’s story is very different from mine, Belize was our common bond and we had to connect. I e-mailed her with a subject hook, “How Belize Rescued My Son,” hoping this would spark a return e-mail. Within two hours, I received a reply.
Hope offered me an invitation to attend one of her book salons, where she would be speaking. From the address on the invitation, I knew this was not an evening to be dressed in jeans. I drove up to the front gate in my blue Kia Rio, and turned the handle as fast as I could so the window appeared automatic. A male model stepped out of the well-lit guard house, and asked me for my name. While waiting for clearance, a little more thorough than last weeks’s White House one, I had a private conversation with my Kia Rio. “Don’t be shy,” I said. “I’m sure you’re not the only non-Mercedes, BMW or Lexus, here tonight.”
I pulled up to the estate and rang the doorbell. There, in front of the over-sized entrance, the hostess welcomed me into her home. Within seconds, a waitress handed me a glass of Perrier-Jouet champagne, and I felt in another world. It had only been a week since I volunteered in a Mayan Village in Belize, where no one dared use the toilet.
I knew Hope Edelman had arrived when all the women flocked to her side to greet her. A little more petite than I had expected, she sat in front of the fire-place and brought us into her world of caring about others.
After her presentation, I had a chance to speak to her and she wrote a message in my book: “For Sonia, With the hope of an ongoing communication, here and in Belize.”
Have you had a similar experience meeting an author you felt “connected” to?
If you haven’t already, please remember to enter the $15 Amazon gift certificate contest, by offering me a system to file my writing papers. Please see post HERE. Winner will be announced on Monday December 7th.
What – isn't the chocolate method working for you?
Hope you and Hope keep on connecting and collaborating about Belize!
Cocholate worked while I was eating it, and then it suddenly stopped working. I wonder why?
It's always nice to meet another author that you have common ground with. In your case, it's quite a srikingly similarity.
Having met Patricia Stoltey through your blog, I am hoping to have a face to face meeting with her this coming Sunday when she will be at Broadway Book Mall in Denver. I have read her books and we have e-mailed a bit and I am looking forward to meeting her.
So glad you have met Hope Edelman. Congrats on living up to your name–gutsy. One reason I wanted you to know about this author is that I, too, have written to authors and have gotten kind responses in return. My first was from May Sarton, the journal writer. The second was from Max DePree, who wrote a book on Leading without Power. He agreed to come speak to my class, first of all, and then he agreed to be my mentor after we had gotten to know each other. If I had time, I would write to more authors!
@Shirley
How wonderful to have an author become your mentor. Also I'm grateful that you brought Hope's book to my attention. Thanks again.
@Jeanie
I just read Patricia's recent blog post and all about her upcoming events. I'm so glad you made a connection with her too.
@Crimey
Thanks Crimey. I agree.
Lucky you!
I can see your smile, you're happy meeting Hope and you get more hope to get what your goal is… 🙂
What a lovely story! I also find it fascinating that she thought her daughter was possessed and then cured in Belize. I will look out for the book. I hope you two keep up your coorespondence.
Hi Gutsy Writer,
This is my first visit to your blog. What a wonderful experience!Your personal history is inspiring, and your book sounds like a winner.
I'll definitely be back to see what's going on in your part of the world.
Donna V.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com
@BLOGitse
yes, you're right. I am happy.
@Lauri
Yes, her Nicaraguan made opened Hope's eyes to different forms of treatment.
@Irishoma
Thanks Donna. I shall revisit you too.
I have met many wonderful authors via my blog. In the real world I have met a few but none of them are as near and dear to me as my bloggy friends!
Sounds like you had quite an evening. Hope Edelman sounds like an amazing woman.
Thanks for linking to that article, very interesting. Eventually I am sure I will read the book
I was fortunate to meet Catherine Coulter at an author interview a few years ago, given at our local mystery bookstore in San Mateo, Ca.
She gave me a lot of hopeful and inspiring advice, the biggest tip being one she wrote in my copy of The Edge: Write back to me, Nancy, when you have written your book.
Get off your butt and write everyday!