A Time to Remember
One of my fond childhood memories is of our vacations in Rhode Island, where we visited my parents’ families. A family reunion with my father’s very large extended family highlighted most of those vacations.
As the youngest of six siblings, I looked forward to a yearly family reunion with my ever-increasing extended family. Although some of us live close enough to see each other more often, my family is now spread around the country, and the pandemic stopped our yearly reunions. My mother loved having her family with her, and I believe my mother missed our family get-togethers more than any of us.
We recently gathered to celebrate Mom and Dad and share memories of them. My dad passed away in 1982, my mother in 2021, but their ashes are buried together. After the graveside service, family members shared a meal and reconnected, at least as many as could come.
Two More Characters
In my experience, a wedding is a time to celebrate love and family. In A Heart’s Journey, the Abbott and White families and their friends gather as Aubrey and Jeremy exchange wedding vows and begin their life as husband and wife. And with the joining of two families comes in-laws.
Today’s featured characters from A Heart’s Journey are Haleigh’s and Willie’s sisters-in-law. Carmella is the wife of Haleigh’s brother Jason, and Maddison married Willie’s brother Mike. They love to make Haleigh blush.
As Mike escorted his own mother to her place, Carmella turned her head. “You know, I believe the White men are nearly as handsome as the Abbott men.”
“Ahem. The White men may be a tad bit handsomer.” Maddison twisted toward Haleigh. “What do you think, Haleigh?”
“What?” Oh, no, had they seen her staring at Willie? These two were trouble. “I, uh, I think they all look great.” She buried her nose in her bouquet to hide her hot face.
Then Haleigh becomes the victim of her two sisters-in-law matchmaking:
“I don’t think I’ve told you how much I appreciated your work on our wedding flowers. Everything was beautiful.” Aubrey gave her a quick hug. “Willie said he couldn’t have had a better assistant.”
“Willie’s a good teacher and loves his work. I’m not sure I want to do it forever, but I enjoy working at Floral Creations for now.”
“Are you going to stay in Greenlawn?” Carmella asked.
“Well…” Greenlawn had welcomed her back. She had friends,sh e had a house, and she had a job. She wanted to stay but couldn’t commit yet. “At least for the summer. The Sousas said I can use their house until next May when they return from their sabbatical.”
Aubrey smirked. “I know there’s a certain person who wants you to stay.”
The corners of Carmella’s lips turned up.
She’d been set up! Haleigh opened the refrigerator door to cool her face. “How about some French toast for breakfast?” She’d been right not to let Willie come.
A Time to Celebrate
Release day is an author’s time to celebrate, and I hope you’ll celebrate with me on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. You can read the first 3 chapters of A Heart’s Journey here:
https://scrivenings.link/aheartsjourneypreview
Please join my book birthday party on Facebook on Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30-9:00 PM:
https://www.facebook.com/bethewestcott
I will be holding an in-person book signing on Saturday, July 16 at the River Street Baptist Church Fellowship Hall located at 133 River Street, Oneonta, NY, from 2-4 PM. Please come, if you are in the area.
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/beth-e-westcott
https://www.facebook.com/bethewestcott
Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
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