Chapter 39
Memories. Broken dreams. "The garden was a chaotic tangle of weeds. . . ." Chapter 15
Chapter 39 Joe David Bellamy’s site lists all the books of ficton, nonfiction and poetry that he’s written over the years. It also lists all his accomplishments. In writing circles, he’s done very well. I was proud to have been one of his students. Check his site at http://joedavidbellamy.com/ I sent Joe an e-mail introducing myself and saying I was sure he didn’t remember me after 35 years and hundreds of students. I didn’t expect a reply. Why would he remember a skinny long-haired kid who didn’t quite fit anywhere, questioned authority, was prematurely cynical (the news business does that) and was obsessed with writing? A week went by and my anticipation turned to mild but not unexpected disappointment. Then one night I had mail from an address I didn’t recognize and nearly deleted it. Something told me to open it. It was a note from Joe saying “I remember you very well. . . . you were one of my best students and memorable, in and of yourself. . . .” He went on to say he included my name in a list of students to whom he dedicated his book, Literary Luxuries: American Writing at the End of the Millennium. The letter, of course, made my whole week. I learned a long time ago two things: 1. Treat everyone well because you may very well meet them again in other times and other circumstances. 2. Don’t say goodbye because you probably will meet or have contact with the person again. It’s happened to me a lot. I sent Joe a copy of The Perfect Song. I really hope he likes it. Next week: Failing in the contests. . . .
(Commercial: If you haven't bought The Perfect Song yet, I do have PayPal. Go to the store and check it out. All profits from the book will be used to create a scholarship for future writers).
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