Beautiful Girlhood Weekend

When a niece of mine turns 12, sometime between her birthday and Christmas she gets a package from me with an invitation to read the enclosed book, "Beautiful Girlhood." As a reward I take her out for a weekend. Since I live so far away I don't get to see them often enough so this is a way for me to let them know a few things. 1)Auntie Ferree thinks they're special. 2) Being a girl is great, so enjoy it and don't be in such a hurry to be all grown up. 3) If they ever need help, a friend in the family, or someone to pray for them, just call me.

This weekend was Emily's turn, and above is a picture of her at the John Hancock Tower Observation deck in Chicago. Isn't she a bright spot against a cloud? Yes, we were encased in snow clouds part of the time up there. Lake Michigan looked eerie and gave us the chills; it was also strange to see the Sears Tower rising up into a layer of cloud. But then a patch of blue sky would open and the sun would break through. Snow flakes would either stop completely or make you feel like you were in a glittering snow globe. So inspite of slippery, almost blizzard-like conditions downtown, the ever-changing weatherscape was fascinating. Emmy loved it. She also had fun next door to the Hancock Center at Water Tower Place shopping mall, and the night before at Oakbrook--who ever goes to both of the ritzy-est Chicago-land malls in less than 24 hours?

But sweet, helpful girl that she is, here she insisted on washing some windows on the John Hancock.

And here's me, klutz that I am, taking the fastest way to the ground floor. You're lucky you can't hear me screaming!

WRITING UPDATE: Thursday I will either continue with chapter 20 which is something like, "The Blessing from Struggling Women," or I'll delve into chapter 21, "The Illusion of Control."

I'll know what to do on Thursday. After that is only chapter 22, "Good Things Still Happen," and the epilogue. And then lots of rewrites. But it's coming.

I'm also working on a blogging workshop for a writers group, and doing the groundwork to set up a blog for widows.

Thanks for checking in on me!