I’m sure we’ve all got stories about drastic change in our lives, serious and trivial worries (like should I just let the grey grow in?)
My husband Martin and I arranged to rent an apartment in Denver last month. Our medically challenged grandson turns one next week. He requires 24-hour care. We completed our training at the hospital in January, he came home in February and my husband and I came out at the beginning of March for a two-week stint—our plan was 2-3 weeks in Denver every 2 months or so. But with Covid 19, plans to continue my book tour and continue our lives in New England have been put on indefinite hold. We have become a small piece of the skeleton team caring for our grandson.
Our days have a certain rhythm. An 11-month-old forces you to live in the moment in the best of circumstances. His medical situation makes this even more true. He has a sparkling personality and takes regular naps, which makes it all easier. I’ll be doing some remote teaching for Harvard Medical School this month. I am carving out time to write again, but it’s been stop and go.
All book promotion has been cancelled in the near future. We still have a few events n November, including the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. But no one wants to commit now.
I’m working on getting an audiobook going. It’s a bit tricky with all the photos and documents, but we’re working on a script and linking it to an online portfolio. Updates to come.
And on Holocaust Remembrance Day April 21 6 PM EST we’re inviting you to recreate the presentation that would have rolled out at the Boston Public Library. My wonderful book designer, Ingrid Mach, is creating a program for a reading and response from the prose poem toward the end of the book. I’m going to gather with friends on ZOOM. You can gather with yours. I will read Mia’s portion and friends will join together to read the interwoven prayer, using the link Ingrid will provide on my website. Please join us if you would like to have a way to honor and remember the victims of the Shoah.
Art is a good way to find meaning. Write a few things down. Draw some pictures. Share books and poetry. Stay healthy and connected during these difficult times. Stay safe.
Sending love and hope.