First, thank you, CM, for your comment - it means so much to us to know our story has helped someone heal. It is hard to understand what someone we love is feeling and thinking when we're so hurt, frustrated, bewildered and angry at them for self-destructing. Even after going through the whole ordeal with Mia, it was only in reading what she wrote as we worked on Come Back that I truly, fully understood her experience. Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to comment or email us privately, we feel so privileged and blessed that you share your stories with us.
And thank you, Janice, for cheering us on (my email bounced back, please send new one, time for a catch-up chat!)
We are still working, seven days a week, to finish the new memoir. Lots of challenges and setbacks the last few months, personally and professionally (among other things, a building employee stole a container with all of our jump drives, camera memory sticks with photos from the trip, some not yet transfered, and our tape recorder with ALL of our taped conversations from the trip, what a NIGHTMARE.) But you know how it is, the frustrating stuff is where you learn the most about yourself. Joe, see photo, reminds me that laughter will get you through most things. What a surprise to find him tucked in the trees behind the Pope's Palace in Avignon.
A big THANK YOU to all of you who have sent, and continue to send, your questionnaires - what a joy to read and how useful. You'll be tickled to know that some of the things that rattle you about your mothers or your daughters are exactly the same as mothers like Madame de Sevigny in the 17th Century! We'll be quoting some of these ladies-of-the-courts' diaries; you'll laugh in recognition! And many of the things that delight and endear you haven't changed either.
We're falling in love with Avignon all over again as we recreate her on our office walls, blowing up photos, etc. Such a feminine city, endlessly fascinating and compelling, we couldn't have picked a better place to explore the mother/daughter relationship, full of surprises and charm.

We're taking the afternoon off to bake cookies and make butter crunch toffee with a girlfriend. We're gonna bake and talk and eat and get messy and have some much-needed fun. We hope you ladies are having fun, too.
Mia and I send our best wishes and love to all of you as one year ends and another begins - a new year to love, learn and laugh.
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