Yours Faithfully, Amanda

22 November 2019 Connecticut Dear Jane, As the youths of today say, "It's been a minute." What I am really trying to say, though, is that I am terribly sorry for not writing since August! I can't imagine that you are surpised by the delay, however, as you have been subjected to over six years of inconstant letters from "Yours Faithfully." I suppose "yours faithfully" is a rather ironic sentiment when I am anything but faithful in my letter writing. Perhaps I should sign my letters with "Yours Sometimes...when I feel like writing, Amanda." That would be rather horrible, though, so I shall keep to the classic, "Yours Faithfully, Amanda" and silently acknowledge that it is merely a facade. Now, Jane, as often happens in the journey of life, much has changed since August when last I wrote. My eldest sister welcomed a daughter named Aurelia at the end of the summer and she is just the sweetest little darling. Her big b...

*My heart is broken for the victims of the recent mass shootings in El Paso, TX & Dayton, OH. Please take a moment of silence for them and their loved ones today.* Thursday 1 August 2019- 6 Tuesday August 2019 The Internet, Connecticut Dear Jane, I must confess that I am quite frustrated with myself. I am just going to write everything else that happened in Cartagena no matter how long it takes or how long this letter is as a result, so please excuse the self-indulgence that is this letter. In truth, much has happened since we returned from Colombia that I have completely ignored (and now nearly forgotten). For one thing, my family and I saw American Ballet Theater's adaptation of Jane Eyre  at the Metropolitan Opera House in June starring none other than the incomparable MISTY COPELAND as Jane Eyre, herself!  It was an absolutely breathtaking performance and I am so glad we had the opportunity to see it. Additionally, my darling nephew turned two years old a...

June 21, 2019 Dear Jane, Once again it has been much too long since last I wrote. In truth, I did not have the inspiration or drive to write these past couple of months so I allowed myself the freedom to take a step back from letter writing. Now however, I have journeyed there and back again ("there" being South America) with my sister, Rachael, and so the time has come once again to pick up the pen. And by "pick up the pen," I do mean, "type on the keyboard." Writing of one's adventures is vitally important so I must continue my mission of chronicling them. I often think of a line you once wrote in a letter to your sister, Cassandra, when I have trouble getting started with letters: "I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am." Inspirational as always, Jane. Watching the sunrise! Now then, our journey to Cartagena, Colombia began on Sunday, the nineteenth of May in the Year-of-Our-Lord two-thousand and ...

December 21, 2018 Dear Jane, You may be wondering why I chose the above quotation, as it was written in a letter by the inconstant and rather unbeloved, Frank Churchill, but as this is my eighth (and final!) letter about the hackneyed English holiday I took five months ago, I daresay no one can call me humble. I do not wish to brag or drag on about my trip, but I just feel so, well, prosperous for having had such a wonderful experience with my sister that I want to ensure I remember every detail! I do so appreciate your willingness to indulge me in this one last letter on the subject, dear friend. St. Pancras. The lobby. So lovely. As we arrived back at King's Cross Station in London, on the eighth day of August in the Year of Our Lord, two-thousand and eighteen, Rachael and I were both tired from our journey and still feeling the pangs of disappointment at leaving York. We also knew that our holiday was nearly at an end so our pain was exceedingly acute, Jane. Luc...