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November 20, 2006
Mother Daughter Book Clubs
A few weeks ago, I received an invitation to visit a mother-daughter book club discussing Hattie Big Sky. I was thrilled. . .and nervous. So I said yes, then called in the reinforcements -- my own daughter, Quinn.
On a dark and blowy Sunday, we ventured forth. The nighttime gloom was quickly dispelled the moment we were greeted by Sheila Ferry, her daughter, Grace, and their friends. We enjoyed a Hattie-inspired meal of sandwiches, beans, Perilee's War-Time Spice Cake and coffee (the girls doctored theirs up with Caramel Praline International Delights creamer).
As with any well-oiled dinner party, there were ice breakers. Each mom was to tell what farm animal her daughter was like and each daughter what farm animal her mother was like. Though I kindly described Quinn as a cuddly barn kitten, she announced that I was most like a mother hen! Cluck.
After the food was passed, the questions began to roll. Each girl shared their favorite part of the story -- no two alike. Tori -- dressed in a bonnet Hattie might have worn -- showed tremendous insight in describing Traft Martin as a "drifter," because he drifted from being kind to Hattie to being mean to her. I delighted in the articulate insights of these terrific ten year olds; their moms did okay, too.
The night was not nearly as dreary as Quinn and I headed home, warmed by the friendship and conversation with this mother-daughter book club. I must confess that I felt bad that I'd never done anything like this with Quinn when she was ten. It not only looked like lots of fun, it looked like a great way to build lasting mother-daughter bonds. She reassured me by saying that this was one more thing I'd given her to tell her therapist.
At least I'm good for something.
Posted by kirby at November 20, 2006 08:37 PM
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