“It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before.”
March 8, 2018
Dear Jane,
First of all, Happy International Women's Day! Oh, how you would have loved to celebrate such a momentous day whilst you were living. I must say that you are a very important figure in Women's History, Jane, and will always be remembered as such. I must now acknowledge that I forgot to wear purple today and humbly ask the women of the world to forgive me.
Secondly, it has once again been too long since last I wrote, but I wish you to take solace in the fact that I often have the intention and wish to write even if I do not often follow through. I must say that I am all astonishment that we are already in the midst of March! Why, my father has already celebrated his sixty-fourth birthday, or as he likes to call it, his "Beatles birthday," and my sweet nephew, Octavian, celebrated his eight month birthday (both on the fifth day of this month).
Now, this is difficult for me to confess, but yesterday I began the first day of the last year of my "twenties." Yes, Jane, I am now the ripe old age of twenty-nine...the same age as Elizabeth Elliot (Anne's horrid but beautiful sister in Persuasion). However, I find that I am able to take comfort in this momentous birthday because of what you once wrote of said horrid but beautiful sister: "It sometimes happens, that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before." Though I am not sure if the same can be said for me, as my head abounds with gray hair, I heartily enjoy the relevancy of the quotation none the less!
Now, much has happened since I wrote you at the end of last year. Sadly, my beloved grandfather passed away at the end of February at the age of ninety-five. He was the most kind and wonderful man one ever had the pleasure of meeting and his gentle soul and radiant smile were equal to none. Needless to say, we all miss him very much but take comfort in the fact that he lived a long, happy and full life. In truth, he left behind an incredible legacy of eight children, sixteen grandchildren and thirteen (soon-to-be fourteen) great-grandchildren; he will certainly never be forgotten!
In other news, Connecticut saw the snowy wrath of Mother Nature yesterday (yes, the twenty-ninth anniversary of my birth...just in case you had forgotten) and I was granted a day off from work as a result! I know, my good fortune knows no bounds. I spent the day reading, drinking tea, viewing various programs on Netflix, photographing various books against our snowy backdrop, eating and watching movies with my beloved parents. No shame, Jane, no shame. It was a most diverting day, and for a home-loving, introvert such as myself, it was the perfect way to spend a birthday.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that in the middle of January I journeyed to the magical land of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida with three of my dearest and oldest friends: Stephanie, Leah & Daniela. It was a whirlwind weekend of magic, friendship, fun and butterbeer! I had not been to the Wizarding World since December of the Year-Of-Our-Lord two-thousand and ten and it has grown and expanded beyond belief! I often wish I was back in that delightful place. *Sigh* I am quite forlorn when I think about the fact that I am not a real wizard, Jane. (We wizards have to say such things, of course, so that the Muggles do not become suspicious.)
A few weeks after my weekend in Florida, I traveled by aeroplaune to our Nation's Capital, Washington D.C., to visit my dear sister, Rachael. We had a wonderful time, as we always do, and spent a morning in the main reading room of the Library of Congress. The reading room is a spectacular place in which entrants are required to have an official reader's card (which I now have...but do not be deceived by my humble brag, it is very easy to obtain a reading card. You can do so HERE.). I would spend every day there if I could. We also visited my dear friend, Carolyn, who last year gave birth to a beautiful baby girl!
Additionally, I find myself in the midst of another theatrical production, not unlike the one that Edmund Bertram's brother tried to put on in Mansfield Park. Come to think of it, I suppose ours is rather different from Bertram's attempt as it is shaping up to be a truly wonderful and successful show! Should any gentle readers wish for more information, they may visit this LINK.
I do believe that the above is a sufficient summary of my year thus far, Jane. I realize that as I continue to age, it is of the utmost important that I record such important moments and memories in my life. Thank you as always, for reading my letters, and I will hopefully write again in the very near future!
Yours Faithfully,
Amanda
Dear Jane,
First of all, Happy International Women's Day! Oh, how you would have loved to celebrate such a momentous day whilst you were living. I must say that you are a very important figure in Women's History, Jane, and will always be remembered as such. I must now acknowledge that I forgot to wear purple today and humbly ask the women of the world to forgive me.
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| The Gentlemen! |
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| Laugh.Out.Loud. 28+1...equals 29. |
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| The wonderful, Mr. Howard W. Forker. |
Now, much has happened since I wrote you at the end of last year. Sadly, my beloved grandfather passed away at the end of February at the age of ninety-five. He was the most kind and wonderful man one ever had the pleasure of meeting and his gentle soul and radiant smile were equal to none. Needless to say, we all miss him very much but take comfort in the fact that he lived a long, happy and full life. In truth, he left behind an incredible legacy of eight children, sixteen grandchildren and thirteen (soon-to-be fourteen) great-grandchildren; he will certainly never be forgotten!
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| Just Jane Austen enjoying the snow day! |
I would be remiss if I did not mention that in the middle of January I journeyed to the magical land of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida with three of my dearest and oldest friends: Stephanie, Leah & Daniela. It was a whirlwind weekend of magic, friendship, fun and butterbeer! I had not been to the Wizarding World since December of the Year-Of-Our-Lord two-thousand and ten and it has grown and expanded beyond belief! I often wish I was back in that delightful place. *Sigh* I am quite forlorn when I think about the fact that I am not a real wizard, Jane. (We wizards have to say such things, of course, so that the Muggles do not become suspicious.)
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| DELICIOUS BUTTERBEER! |
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| The girls and I in Diagon Alley! |
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| My beautiful sister, Rachael, reading! |
I do believe that the above is a sufficient summary of my year thus far, Jane. I realize that as I continue to age, it is of the utmost important that I record such important moments and memories in my life. Thank you as always, for reading my letters, and I will hopefully write again in the very near future!
Yours Faithfully,
Amanda
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