Ken Burns WWII Stories

Posted on August 24, 2007 by moonbridgebooks

Have you heard yet? A new documentary by famous historian Ken Burns is coming to PBS starting Sept 23. Called “The War,” this seven-part series is mostly about the experiences of the men and women who were in the middle of World War II. Burns says that “our WWII veterans are dying and younger generations don’t know enough about the war,” hence he was inspired to make this film to capture some very personal and historical experiences to teach and remind us of what war is really like—not the stuff you see briefly on the news or read about in textbooks. This is the real thing and how it affected real people…not something to ever forget.

Local PBS affiliate stations are looking for stories from WWII veterans as well as the thoughts and experiences of those remaining on the homefront. Go online to your affiliate’s website to read stories or submit your own. Very interesting reading. Hope you can catch the documentary on TV this September.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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Letters to My Children, Part II

Posted on August 17, 2007 by moonbridgebooks
I don’t exactly have “dying letters” to my girls, however I do have what I’d call “pocket journals” for each child. They are 4-inch square hardcover books filled with blank pages. When I became pregnant with each child, I started their journal. I did not write everyday, but only on certain milestones (or whenever I remembered!) which grew farther apart as the child got older…I’m talking years here. I wrote about their developmental progress, who their friends were, their personalities at the time, little anecdotes, and always ended with how much I loved them. There are even a couple poems I wrote to them.

I was looking at these pocket journals recently, wondering what made me think of starting them. I haven’t a clue, but I am so glad I thought of it. The girls don’t know I have them yet and I don’t know when I will show them their books, but I see how they are wonderful snapshots of their lives at the moment and how precious they were (and are) to me. Someday they will undoubtedly enjoy reading about themselves, and most important of all they will know how much they are loved…it’s all there in black and white.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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Letters to My Children

Posted on August 10, 2007 by moonbridgebooks

Elizabeth Edwards wears a brave face. Campaigning for her husband, John, she has somehow managed to brush aside the dread and fears of her incurable cancer to lead a normal life—well, normal for a presidential candidate’s wife. Her busy days of travel and speeches would wear anyone down, but combine that with her illness and chemotherapy and the many people whose good wishes and advice can’t help but remind her constantly of her mortality, and you have a wonder-woman in my books. How does she do it?

Elizabeth sometimes wonders if she is doing the right thing; while looking death in the eye should she even bother campaigning but instead be spending quality time with her children and husband? She says, “I worry if this is right, but I don’t have any good choices…I have a lot of ways I could be spending my time. I believe this is not a waste of time.” She is doing what she wants to do, what she feels is important and worthwhile to do and it seems to give her energy and purpose.

Elizabeth Edwards is working on what she calls a “dying letter,” or a “guide to life” for her children. She is filling each letter with practical advice to her three children on how to lead a good life, including important things to think about to help ensure their happiness and fulfillment. What a wonderful way to impart her mother’s wisdom to children she may not see grow up.

This is something to think about, this “dying letter.” Whether we mothers are young or old, I think our children would appreciate having a special letter written by our mother. Whether it consists of worldly advice or sentiments about what being a mother means to us, is that not a priceless gift we could leave to our beloveds? A “dying letter” to us might be a “letter of life” to our children. Best wishes, Elizabeth.

Information taken from the Wall Street Journal, Weekend Edition, July 21-22, 2007 “The Nights and Days of Elizabeth Edwards”

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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