Beautifully written, Ruvy. As usual.

I wish I had realized when I wrote the preceding comment that it was already after sundown on Friday in Israel. But I guess you'll get this comment at the same time as that, so: Shabbat Shalom.

What a wonderful story Ruvy. I love to hear how people began to do what they do, the tales of that initial spark of inspiration.

I hope you are still writing your stories.

Shavua Tov,

Thank you Mike and Chantal for the kind words. I still write, though time has made a mockery of some of my previous ideas and threatens to do the same with some of what I'm working on now.

I learned more than just writing in Emily's sunroom. Gentility, civility, politeness, traits we badly need, were always present in her sunroom. It is hard to encourage a writer without them.

Impressive piece of work, Ruvy. I hope you never forget the gifts Ms Emily bestowed upon you.

Thank you for the kind words, Chris.

I try not to forget. Sometimes it gets hard...

Thanks for the kind words about my mom.

My dear Mr. Crofford,

Your mother earned every syllable of what I wrote. She taught me that writing is a craft, and a hard craft, and that the good writer is a good craftsman, like a carpenter who knows precisely how to plane a piece of lumber to get it to the proper smoothness. She taught that a good craftsman takes pride in his work, and insists, like Abel did in the Bible, on bringing only his best fruits to the sacrifice.

She taught something else as well, something that is harder to remember for a person who does not suffer fools easily. Your mother taught civility and kindness. She taught that every writer, in presenting his work to the public, is presenting a part of himself, and deserves to be treated with respect for having made the effort, even if that work is not particularly good.

I try to remember this in my criticisms - I admit I do not always succeed.

I'm sure you read your mom's stories to your kids, and to other kids as well, so I needn't mention that to you. But think on what I've written above. This is your mother's true legacy, the one that goes beyond the stories she wrote; the legacy of a woman who taught a craft, a hard craft, and who taught others to respect the work of a craftsman, and seek for the best when inspecting that work. These concepts apply, not merely to writing or carpentry - they apply all across the board.

Teach this to your children, and to your children's children, and the children of your children's children, if G-d gives you to see them, and your mother will smile with delight upon you from the heavens.

Have a blessed Sunday,
Reuven - who used to be known as Ron