I’ve always had this habit of tucking away little slips of paper into books, folders, magazines. I don’t know if I’m doing this consciously. Maybe half-consciously. But when I slide a news clipping or note between two random pages of a book I’ll return to its shelf and not likely seek out for a long, it’s something I hope to find again at some random time. The surprise is wonderful. It’s like I’m my own Easter Beagle.

Today’s find was a handwritten rejection note written by Lois Rosenthal, editor of the long defunct Story magazine, regarding a short story I had submitted in 1995. A personal, handwritten rejection note! I remember pulling this note from the envelope and being thrilled that this literary visionary who published and knew some of the best writers of the day had taken the time to say that “the writing was smart”, but I’m sorry to have to disappoint you on this one.” And yeah, I was disappointed, but not bitterly as I’d been when lesser publications had sent a form letter with a stamped signature.

At that time in my life I carried so much hope and ambition for my writing. I had bales of pluck. How odd that I’ve reconnected with point of history with only eleven days until the next big chapter of it begins. Or maybe, it’s synchronicity reigniting a fire.