Jan
Labor Day
Attending a writer’s/reader’s conference is always a good time. You learn things, you meet people, you network, etc. But beyond all of that, you also get books.
Lots and lots of books. 
At the Romance Writer’s of America conference in Washington D.C. this past summer, Labor Day by Joyce Maynard was in my registration bag. And while it took me a while to get to it (six months…but who’s counting), it was definitely worth the wait. 
The book makes you think. About a lot of things. But, most importantly, it opens your eyes to the power another person can have in your life (which is the part I want to talk about today).
But before we get to our chat, here’s a portion of the book jacket copy to bring you up to speed…
With the end of summer closing in and a steamy Labor Day weekend looming in the town of Holton Mills, New Hampshire, thirteen-year-old Henry–lonely, friendless, not too good at sports–spends most of his time watching television, reading, and daydreaming about the soft skin and budding bodies of his female classmates. For company Henry has his long-divorced mother, Adele–a one-time dancer whose summer project was to teach him how to foxtrot; his hamster, Joe; and awkward Saturday-night outings to Friendly’s with his estranged father and new stepfamily. As much as he tries, Henry knows that even with his jokes and his “Husband for a Day”‘ coupon, he still can’t make his emotionally fragile mother happy. Adele has a secret that makes it hard for her to leave their house, and seems to possess an irreparably broken heart.
But all that changes on the Thursday before Labor Day, when a mysterious bleeding man named Frank approaches Henry and asks for a hand. Over the next five days, Henry will learn some of life’s most valuable lessons; how to throw a baseball, the secret to perfect piecrust, the breathless pain of jealousy, the power of betrayal, and the importance of putting others–especially those we love–above ourselves…
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve read this book or not (though, you should). The theme that screams out from this story is simple and begs the question, who has changed your life?
Before you ponder your answer, let’s remove your significant other from the mix. Instead, consider others who have entered your life whether they’re still in it or not. Is there someone who truly made you who you are…or shaped the person you became…or changed the course of your life (good, or bad)?
Who? How? And, if a particular memory sticks out to illustrate the how…we’d love to hear it.
~Elizabeth
January 12th, 2010 at 11:35 am
The older you get, the more opportunities you have to have your life changed. I could name you – for changing my ideas about what make a writer and how hard it is just to finish a book.
I could name my FHA -Home Ec teacher who taught me that I did have a voice as a woman in this world – that I could do anything I wanted. Which I promptly forgot when I found someone to marry me.
But I think I’m most thankful for the string of losers I dated after I got divorced because they taught me that I was worth more than I was selling myself for. Even if I didn’t know it at the time.
Hard questions today!!!!
Lynn
I
January 12th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I’m adding this book to TBR list.
My junior high school guidance counselor told me to ignore all the negative words I was being taunted with. He knew what I was capable of and gave me the courage and strength to do what I needed. I was the first in my family to have a college degree; I was the first in my family to hold a full-time job and I was the first to own my co-op.
My mom was a single parent with five children and I saw her put her life on hold to give us as much as she could and when I walked across the stage to receive my college degree, I knew I owed her my life.
My youngest sister because I saw what my guidance counselor saw in me and guided her to becoming the second daughter to graduate from college and I’m so proud of what she accomplished.
January 12th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
It’s tough to pin down one, or even a few.
My parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, and a couple high school and college profs–all of them have shaped who I am, how I see the world, how I see myself.
So I’ll pick one as an example: My buddy Craig.
He’s an over-the-top fan of all things fiction, and he infected me with that enthusiasm by shoving a copy of Ian Fleming’s first James Bond book in my hands. I’d never read a thriller before. From Fleming, I branched out into reading mystery.
And then I wondered what it would be like to build my own world.
If it weren’t for the people in my life, my worlds, real and imagined, would be much less than what they are today.
January 12th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Wow, these answers have gotten me misty-eyed. It really makes you stop and think, doesn’t it?
I have a few. My aunt (who, actually is no longer married to my uncle) Mary brings something to my life I’m not sure I can explain other than “unconditional love.” She doesn’t have to love me, but she does. She doesn’t even have to keep in touch now that she’s parted ways with my uncle…yet she does. Her calls, her love, her support makes up for areas where that’s lacking.
There’s my children who make me believe I’m a good mom. And love me no matter what.
And, on a more recent level, I’d have to say my MS doctor and his nurse. Their experience, their compassion, and their encouragement not only got me through a difficult time but also taught me some lessons that carry me through the tough places in my life.
And my childhood friend, Lisa…who shoved a stack of papers (along with pencils and crayons) in my direction one rainy day and suggested we write books. That moment shaped who I am in so many ways. It gave me a dream and a place to escape/heal/learn in life I may not have discovered on my own.
January 15th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
It looks like I’ll finally get to catch up tonight… haven’t had an opportunity to comment for the past several days.
Someone who has changed my life…. that would have to be my son, Daniel, who is 26 yrs old. When Daniel was 17 and a senior in high school he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and our world was turned upside down. He spent the first month of his senior year in the hospital. Now I’ll fast forward through all the heck we’ve been through to tell you how he’s changed my life. I am not the person that I used to be before his diagnosis. The person I used to be… well, let’s say I was very witchy, very defensive, and very paranoid. I lacked compassion and empathy for those who didn’t meet what I thought was “normal”. While Daniel was in the hospital my husband and I had a meeting with one of his counselors and it was during that meeting and the next Sunday’s sermon at church that my eyes were opened, and my heart was softened and MY change slowly started to occur. About a year after this event I found a wonderful class that teaches family/friends about mental illness. After one night of the class I knew I had to teach the class. Ever since then I have taught this class to many people. If it wasn’t for Daniel I would be a very unhappy person, living in the h$ll that I was living in before.
And as for someone who has supported me…. my precious grandmother who passed away in 2008 at the age of 97. Grandma Etta was always there for me. Even in my rebellious years, she always showed me unconditional love. When Daniel was diagnosed and my mother and sister were busy pointing the finger of blame at me (they said it was my poor parenting skills)… Grandma was always there, never judging me, only loving me.
So there you have it…. how I got to be where I am today.
Oh and BTW…. I checked out Labor Day to read on a road trip to FL tomorrow. AND I bought the last copy of Sew Deadly at Borders Tuesday night to send to a quilting friend….
January 15th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Brenda, these are great examples! Mental illness is a tough thing–for the person and the loved one. I bet your class helps a lot of people! And your Grandma sounds like my Aunt Mary.
I think you’ll enjoy Labor Day on your trip. It was an interesting book, one I’m glad I read. And, as for buying SEW DEADLY for a friend—THANK YOU!!!! I’ll take all the “word spreading” I can get!
Have a safe trip tomorrow~!