The dedication of my new book reads, “To Mary, Kate, and all my Redbud sisters. Maybe it doesn’t always take a village—but it did this time.” As evidence of that, last night, about 90 friends braved the cold and chose to miss the Patriots’ playoff game to celebrate the launch of my new book, Making Marriage Beautiful. Writing is a solitary venture. I spend most of my days sitting at my desk, trying to craft thoughtful articles. (Some days are better than others.) The writing of this book took me approximately 18 months and would not have happened apart from the support and love from my family and friends.
You have loaned me your cottage for writing retreats, walked my dog, brought us dinner, agreed to be interviewed for the book, extended me grace when I was not available, helped us pay our bills, allowed Matt to hang out at your house when I could not attend his games. I could go on.
As I mentioned last night, those of us who make our living (so to speak) through the arts, don’t receive the kind of compensation and affirmation that the average wage earner does. There’s no weekly paycheck, no year end review, and definitely no Christmas bonus. So when you all choose to show up and spend your hard earned income on our creations, it really means the world to us.
Thanks to all of you who came last night and to those of you who weren’t there, here’s a snippet of what you missed. Do watch Christopher and the crew performing One of the Best Ones, by Bruce Cockburn. It was the heart of the night.
You can flip thru the images by clicking the gallery below, or scroll them individually as posted.
LCA Headmaster Tim Russell opened the night.
Deidre and Danny Tao sharing their experience of being in a cross-cultural marriage, an issue I address in chapter 2.
LCA’s Mary Bulger and Christopher performing It Takes Two from Into the Woods
Book Giveaways!
Christopher, Andy Young, Cliff Chuang, and Skip Doucette performing Bruce Cockburn’s song.
Our dear friends Nick and Sheila Rowe closing out the evening.
Gluten free, dairy free, and total YUM cake. Thanks to Steven and Mary Vono.
Some of my rocking friends who came to celebrate: Mardi Fuller, Pascha Griffiths, Chaline Thande, and Lisa Calderone
Rebecca Bell who drove up for NY for the event!
Tracy Alexander, whose husband works at LCA with Christopher
With Joy Wilmouth
Manny Nichols and his lovely wife Muriel.
Long-time friend Margaret Spellman Merrill
One of my first Boston friends, Ellen Bass.
Making Marriage Beautiful is available via Amazon, CBD, Barnes and Noble, and some select book stores. I’d be most grateful if you would buy a copy (or 2), review it (post it on all three of those sites), and then spread the word. And please keep those reviews and shares coming.
My heart is full. Thank you all so much for walking alongside us on this journey.
Most of these photos are by Feda Eid.
Dorothy, this is just beautiful! Rejoicing with you. Thankful for your marriage and how you’ve shared your hard-won wisdom with all of us. May God fling your book and its message far and wide.
Love, Suzanne
Thank you for your support Suzanne. I am grateful for you!