This has been a tough year, no two ways around it. In the last eight months, I have lost a sister, an aunt, and now, my niece. Since last I wrote, my sister’s 37-year-old daughter–who was also my mother’s caregiver–died suddenly of a non-COVID infection.
We have been scrambling. I know I am not alone in this. Maybe you have lost someone, too.
As 2020 ticks down to its end, I heartily reiterate everything I said in my August post, Why We Need Emilie Loring Right Now. “A moment’s rest, a shot of humor, and an infusion of encouragement can work wonders.”
So here’s a bit of good news in 2020: The list of Emilie Loring e-books now includes thirteen of her original thirty titles. Each of these has a corresponding entry on our Bookshelf page, here.
If you find The Dragon Slayer, it’s not a new story. That’s the title used in Britain for Here Comes the Sun!
The list of partially ghostwritten titles has also grown. Only Look to the Stars, Behind the Cloud, and Love With Honor are missing from that group.
Isn’t it wonderful to live awhile in a lovely place where exciting things are happening? That’s what Emilie Loring’s books do for me.
As the pandemic continues, and we live ever more within the walls of our homes, I’m reminded of Emilie Loring when gasoline was rationed during World War II. All pleasure driving was prohibited, so she sat right down and wrote stories set in the places she wished she could visit.
Resilience 101, by Emilie Loring!
The trick is to nurture change. We get dull when we are still, when our environments are static. That’s the time to move things around, move ourselves around, try something new, take our thoughts to someplace new.
A vision of one of those evenings, with sound effects, flashed on the screen of Prue’s mind. Snow piled high, wind shrieking around the corners of the house, a shutter flapping, flitting batlike shadows on the ceiling, and she absorbed in a seed catalog. Entertaining! She valiantly transmuted a groan into a laugh.
Hilltops Clear
My nearly eight-month-old granddaughter is here, and she changes nearly moment-to-moment. My ninety-four-year-old mother is also here, and she craves experience. We’re cooking and painting and beginning projects for Christmas.
Trusting that the universe will be on my side, I resume the helm of Emilie’s biography and our communications here. Tonight, I Hear Adventure Calling.
Happy Landings, everyone!
The Emilie Loring Collection 
Patti, you seem to epitomize resilience! I am very sorry for the losses brought to you this year, and so admire your courage. We’re surely lucky to be able to take temporary respite and encouragement when stepping into her stories, before returning to our own real world challenges!
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Thank you, Beverly. What you describe is just what she hoped—that her books would send us back to our real worlds feeling refreshed and ready. I’ve sometimes thought Emilie’s books were like the I Ching; whatever my situation, I nearly always find a bit that speaks especially to me in the moment. Happy landings!
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I’m sorry for your losses this year Patti. Please accept my condolences. It has been a tough year. My parents are in their 80s, in their own home and well, thank goodness. But we don’t see them much in person. I touch base regularly to make sure they have what they need.
We do need Emilie in times like these. [see what I did there 🙂 ] I enjoyed seeing all the book covers, the new ones especially. I see the new covers are focusing on jewels. I have been a bit busy for reading. I confess too that I see that “The Crown” season 4 was released last night…I might delay a good Emilie for a bit here!
Enjoy your granddaughter and your mother together. It is so beautiful to see the many generations of a family together enjoying life and love of one another.
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Over the last few weeks, I’ve indulged in a few Emilie’s and then, I had to start my book club book. I love her books.
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We are aligned! Enjoy the start of this holiday season.
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Please accept my condolences for your losses. There are no words for passages in life like this. I enjoyed your words about the need for resilience in this life. Blessings to you and your family for a peaceful holiday season and the opportunity for renewal and renewed hope in the new year.
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Thank you, Jane. This year’s challenges have hit hard, especially the loss of my sister, who was my “person.” But they have also given me a nice assurance: I really am, at my heart, a hopeful, happy, optimistic person, and I rise after each fall. It’s good to have that confidence, and I thank Emilie for her part in framing that for me. Have a heart-warming holiday season.
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So sorry about your bad year. I do hope 2021 is better for you.
I am an old EL reader and have about 35 of the paperbacks. I just reread Love With Honor, a favorite of mine. I like best the stories that take place in small New England villages. In this story, I particularly like the clothing – the yellow negligee, the white velvet (yum!) robe. I like the happy outcome for the sister. When I first read this, Jonas seemed so old – fifty! No wonder he was so ill! Now I realize he’s almost a generation below me. Keep up the good work.
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Thank you, Mary. It’s good to hear from you. My goodness, I hadn’t looked back at his age—fifty, indeed! I remember thinking of him as fairly decrepit!
Do you have a favorite among the original (1922-50) books? Which haven’t you read yet?
Your comments about the negligee and robe prompted a thought of what an Emilie Loring paper doll’s wardrobe would be like. Fun to imagine.
Take care, and be in touch.
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