January 9, 2011
Carson City, Nevada
Sunday Afternoon
MA’s Study
MA: You were doing so well. I love reading your work. Is it the subject matter?
J: Oh sure, I just don’t feel comfortable writing this next part. I don’t know if it is because I am afraid you are right or because I am afraid you are wrong.
MA: James, why in the world would you worry about something like that. Old women are entitled to eccentric views - it is part of our nature. If I am wrong so what?
You are not postulating any of my theories, you are simply writing a story. Right or wrong, it is no refection on you personally.
J: I know that intellectually, but it worries me all the same. Why don’t you write this last part?
With that MA held out her hands. And I almost cried. When you care for someone you just see their soul and the physical presentation is not that noteworthy. But this was different.
Her hands were even worse than I remember. Very “gnarled” I suppose is right word. I was horribly embarrassed.
J: You can’t type can you?
MA: No, James I can not. For a long time I could use the Web TV remote control. It has a feature where you can choose a letter at a time with your thumb - but that is out of the question now.
J: I am so sorry MA. I just wasn’t paying attention.
MA: Don’t worry child it is a curse that many families endure. My grandfather and my mother all had terrible arthritis. But it has been a very long time since I could type.
That is why it has been such a joy to read all your writings. You are so accurate and you do it in such a fashion that it is easy reading.
J: Thank you.
MA: While it may be hard to complete this task, God has given it to you. You have shown that you are dedicated, loyal and giving. There is a saying “who will do the hard things?” and the answer is “those who can”. And you can.
So don’t be troubled child. No one is going to think more or less of you for what you transcribe. The essence is the messege and not the messenger.
I am at the end of my little role in this veil of tears, and only you understand what it is I believe.
If it were not important then I would not bother you. But since the day that you drove up the mountain to visit me at the cabin - this has been your destiny.
Were you to quit now, you would never be happy. Your writing is your soul -and I know you want to finish this work. So tell the story.
I saw a commercial once that said courage was facing your fears and doing your job in spite of them. Lot of truth to that.
What say you?
J: Well, it is hard.
MA: Yes.
J: Will you help me if I get stuck on this next part?
MA: Of course.
J: I have just been unable to formulate exactly how I write the ending. All kind of thoughts, but none of them seem right.
MA: Remember what I told you setting out by the lake one summer when you were having the exact feelings about some other segment?
J: Sort of, you said just start writing and God would help me - or something like that.
MA: Exactly. Just start James. You have never had a blueprint yet. Trust your ability and just let it flow. It will be fine.
J: I suppose so.
January 24th, 2011
Carson City Nevada
MA’s Study
J: It is so good to see you MA - thank you for letting me come over.
MA: You are always welcome James
J: I have solved my structural problems with writing the final chapter and I just wanted your opinion before I proceed.
MA: Of course.
J: I have decided to not move forward in the interview format but rather to write the ending as a real-time story with all the elements you feel so strongly about entwined in the story line.
I was worried about moving from some very serious factual reporting to writing something that is, in essence, science fiction.
That is not to denigrate your opinions and theories, but when you write about the future it is kind of hard not to acknowledge the possibility that one’s vision might be incorrect.
MA: That sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
J: Thank you, in the last few days it has all blossomed as a wonderful and complex storyline (in my head). I am so ready to write now. It all came to me sitting in a hot tub up in the mountains.
But it is very different from what I have written up to now. Would you care to review it with me and give your input
MA: No thank you James, this is your show now. You have earned the respect of so many readers and our only request is the same one often posted on your Internet threads “Please hurry up with more”. LOL God bless you child for your talent and tenacity. I can hardly wait.
J: It is time now and I feel very relieved about the theme. If you are right then it will be the work of my lifetime, and if you are not then it will be one hell of a fine story.
MA: I am certain that it will.