I have a lot of friends who are very disappointed in the outcome of the elections on the state and national level. I am, too, though I can’t be glum because I know this truth: we are the ones who steer our ships. There’s no doubt that our government has an impact on our daily lives. However, we are the ones in control of most of our routines and choices. We vote every day with our wallets and our actions. Elections, and leaders, come and go. Most of our lives are composed of small moments that we decide to have or not have. What’s important is what we do now, and how much we support others in their pursuit of the lives they want to live.
And with that, here’s the intro to Chapter 3 of my novel which is especially appropriate in this time of elections. Emerson and Skylar make their way through the howling wind to The Crooked Willow Cafe—a bit of shelter in the storm.
Skylar, Emerson, and Friday braced against the wind. The harder the wind blew, the closer Skylar and Friday encircled Emerson.
“Who was that woman, Skylar?” asked Emerson into the wind.
“What?”
“Who was that…”
“I can’t hear you.”
The wind was howling now. Trash cans toppled and rolled into the street. Skylar steered Emerson and Friday toward the golden light in the center of the block. Skylar pulled at the door and several burly men stood up from their tables to help her open it. The wind shoved them all into the warmth of The Crooked Willow Cafe.
“I thought we were going right home,” said Emerson.
“And miss our snack?” said Skylar. Her eyes twinkled and it was easy to see how she and Jasper were related.
They settled into their favorite table in the corner by the immense stone fireplace. Friday laid down in his usual warm spot on the hearth. Emerson looked at Skylar with piercing eyes. Skylar tapped the table; The quote etched into it read, ‘I am a willow of the wilderness, Loving the wind that bent me. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson’
Christa Avampato 