book inscription

I finished reading "The Postmistress" by Sarah Blake last night and I was looking at the books in my bookcase and pulled out "the Riddle of the Wren." I carried the book over to my night stand lamp for a better look, flipped the cover open to the title page, and discovered my own handwriting in bright red ink, "Dec. 2002 Merry Christmas Alyssa XXXOOOO love, Mom and Dad. She would have just turned 13. There must have been a reason I selected this particular book as a Christmas gift, I always pick out her presents with her in mind and try to make them special for unwrapping and being happily surprised. Did I read about this book online at NPR books, or see a review in a Barnes and Noble Christmas Catalog? The front cover says "Winner of the World Fantasy Award." I went to Amazon.com moments ago and read this was Charles De Lint's first novel and has been out of print for years. The book has a courageous heroine, Minda Sealy, who has terrible nightmares. The story combines mystery, fantasy and a quest. The reviews are mostly 5 stars and I have discovered that Charles De Lint is a prolific and much loved writer, check out his personal entry at wikipedia. I must have made this choice for a reason, I wish I could remember. The back spine of the paperback is seamless, she hasn't folded the pages open and read this one yet. It is here with me, waiting for her.

By the way Michelle, I underlined this quote from "The Postmistress" (one of several I marked actually) thinking of us:

"Late afternoon had climbed up the rod of the sky and hung there, the air clear and sharp, the blues of the water and the sky playing against each other, reflecting and resisting like sisters."