In the Sun and in the Rain |
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This issue of In the Sun and in the Rain is a celebration of the launch of my memoir, Sophia’s Return: Uncovering My Mother’s Past. Published by She Writes Press in September 2021, it now lives on shelves, bookcases, mailers and bed stands of readers, wherever you may be. I am humbled by that thought and grateful for your willingness to share time with my story. Today my mind turns to the month of September, a month that sometimes feels like a lifetime away and then it is like yesterday—memories have a way to warp time perspectives. September is a special month for me. |
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Did you know that in the Greek Orthodox calendar, we dedicate every day of the year to Saints? Each day honors the life of Christian martyrs and those of us that carry their name celebrate. Every September 17 is Saint Sophia’s day, a fixed holiday that turned up on my calendar a few weeks ago. In Greek homes, we celebrate the day by remembering all the Sophias we know, calling and texting and even meeting them in person. This year, in faraway America, my good friends came over for a visit, and celebrated, turning the clock back to days bygone.
I remember the old ways of celebrating name days with nostalgia, but not every single one of them. In Sophia’s Return, I dedicated an entire chapter to a particular Saint Sophia’s day that remains memorable. It was a day that was meant to be joyful and turned into disaster. It was a day of revelations, family drama, a day that an unexpected guest arrived. But more on that in Chapter 28.
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There is a lot more to describe in Sophia’s Return, moments of childhood bliss and celebration and then the challenges of a family that held onto secrets, at my beloved Greek home, Thessaloniki, Greece.
My writing teacher and mentor, Brenda Peterson, author of Your Life is a Book, sums Sophia’s Return this way:
“The mystery of a mother’s loss and a daughter’s search to reclaim her, drives this engaging memoir. Family secrets, conflicting Old and New World traditions, and poignant scenes of intergenerational and cultural struggles bring to life a vivid portrait of Greece. For readers discovering their ancestral roots, this is a must read; lively, very moving and inspiring.” This is an invitation to my readers to send comments, impressions, or questions about the book. Meanwhile, I am back on my laptop, working on a novella, a fictional story based on ancient Greek myths. |
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Celebrating Featured Guests My Featured Guests this past year have added a lot to the website. This is their Year in Review, a time to visit postings about their books and celebrate their work. In the Sun and in the Rain aspires to bring you writing from many corners of the world, and introduce creative friends, who in the dark days of coronavirus, gift us with their work. Forgive the departure this time. I will be back celebrating my author friends in the next issue. Feel free to share the Newsletter with your reading and writing community and friends who can also subscribe. Live long and prosper! Best,
Sophia
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