May 9, 2017 DAUGHTERS

 The queen--AKA--my daughter is returning from her world tour this week. The nickname is mostly a joke--but there are times I have to remind her--she's just the daughter of  peasants. She was lucky enough to spend a semester abroad--Florence, Italy. WOW. What an opportunity! It has been a life altering experience for her.  Four months-- navigating a foreign city--absorbing another culture-- appreciating all that it has to offer.  One day she was playing with her polly pockets  and the next thing I knew-- she was heading off to college. TIME REALLY FLIES--and you can't appreciate that statement--until it happens to you. As much as I dislike technology--I have to admit that Face Time saved me. It made her extended absence easier for me.  Don't get me wrong, I really wanted her to go abroad but it was still hard.  We are all excited to see her on Friday--getting the red carpet ready. She's forwarded her grocery list--Target necessities --and request for a welcome home banner with balloons--which will be waiting when the Queen arrives on her horse drawn carriage. HA! The mother/daughter relationship can be complicated and this is especially evident in Elizabeth Strout's highly anticipated book My Name is Lucy Barton. 

Lucy Barton endured a difficult childhood in Amgash, Illinois. Her father was abusive and her mother too passive and afraid to stand up for her children. In order to escape her reality, Lucy lost herself in reading. It was through reading that Lucy realized she wanted to be a writer.  Fast forward many years. Lucy is a married woman with two daughters of her own. After a simple operation that leads to an infection, and a nine week hospital stay, Lucy wakes up one morning to find her mother by her side. This is odd because Lucy and her mother haven't spoken in several years. Over the course of the next 5 days, Lucy's mother tries to mend fences in the only way she can. She tells stories of Lucy's childhood, old neighbors and family members. When Lucy mentions abuse--her mother dismisses her recollections and shuts down which frustrates Lucy as she needs her pain validated. This is a story about human relationships--that are often difficult. They involve accepting people--even your mother--even if she has let you down. Although Lucy's mother loves her, her capacity to love is  limited and conditional. She is not able to meet Lucy on an even playing field. Will Lucy come to terms with this and accept her mother as she is?? Find out when you read this little gem of 208 pages--or a 4 mile run--that will have you thinking and reflecting on your own relationships too. Enjoy!