It’s the middle of March and up pops a bud on our traditional family favorite milk-and-wine lily that blooms off and on all summer! Admittedly, we have had a few warm days, but on the day I discover the bud, the high is 49° with a freeze warning for the night.
That got me to thinking about anticipation. My mother and I had a difference of opinion on whether to anticipate happy things. She feared disappointment and didn’t want to think of joyful things ahead of time since something might go wrong. I, on the other hand, wanted to relish the thoughts of good things coming even though I remained aware that I might be disappointed.
The lily and I are on the same track right now anticipating good things coming, many long awaited. April 1 (no joke) will be my first official book signing for Becoming Ezra Jack Keats at The Author Shoppe in Hattiesburg. Following soon (April 12-14) will be the Kaigler Book Festival, in person for the first time since before the pandemic. I’m having a hard time deciding which part I’m looking forward to the most – renewing friendships with other book people, meeting the new winners of Ezra Jack Keats awards, hearing remarkable storytelling and presentations, or signing my books in the breaks. Stretching out ahead in the summer will be two planned signings. The first will be at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Southern Mississippi where I have been a participant for the two decades we have lived in Hattiesburg. The second will be in Atlanta where I will meet my sisters for events planned by the sister who was my nemesis growing up but, in a remarkable transformation, turned into a BFF as an adult.
I’ve anticipated the book signings for the twelve years I have been working intensely on research and writing for the book. Except for the pandemic years, the book festival has been an annual highlight and encouragement.
Ultimately, the lily got the freeze and looked puny the next day but appears to be rebounding. It may even produce a bit of a flower from its damaged bud. I, too, am aware that all my anticipation may wind up with less than stellar outcomes. I read recently that Stephen King once had a signing with only one little boy attending, and he was just looking for scotch tape. Still, I stay with my side of the difference with my mother. I recommend enjoying the anticipation!
