When I set out to learn about my mother's bridge club, the Jewish octogenarians behind the matching outfits and accessories, I never expected to fall in love with them. This is the story of the ladies, their game, their gen, and the ragged path that led me back to my mother.Today, a client asked me why I like the Emmy’s. Get to know me. I live in a perpetual award show. Have you ever seen me in an elevator? I don’t just like award ceremonies, I am an award’s speech aficionado. I came of age during you like me you really like me era. I understand what it is to spend most of your life in therapy. To want love and greatness and appreciation and spotlight. Double-sided tape and jumbo shrimp. I want to congratulate all other nominees in the category. It is such an honor.
Who are you going to thank?
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Betsy Lerner 
I will thank all the dead people in my family who encouraged me. And you my dear, we’re not related but I thank you, you ain’t dead yet.
My mom, for teaching me to love the written story.
My dad, for teaching me to work.
My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Wilder, for reading “Harriet the Spy” to the class and lighting the fire.
My first wife, Stephanie, for believing.
My art teacher, Christy Johnson, for opening my eyes.
My writing teacher, Gordon Lish, for showing me how and why it is done.
The various editors and publishers who’ve edited and published my poems, stories, and books.
And thank you, Betsy, for keeping the doors open and the lights on here for so long.
Orville Gibson and C. Annabis Indica. And Mr. Bic for encapsulating ink.
Mike, that’s hilarious! Thanks.
Thank you, Frank.
Mom, for support and patience.
The Old Man, for being a relentless reader of many subjects.
Ed Jarvie, Golden Gloves boxer and High School Principal, for letting me back into school and promising to put the gloves on or take them off if I went for bad again.
Marvin Carlsson, Army buddy, for introducing me to Vonnegut and Wolfe.
Ho Chi Minh and Vo Nguyen Giap, for stimulating my interest in higher education.
Don Mikula, E. Duane Forderhase, and Tom Deal, for making me write endless papers, take a position, and defend it, and for bleeding red ink through those papers.
Richard Herman, fellow sailor, writer, and no-holds-barred critic.
Joshua Colvin, entrepreneur, sailor, writer, friend, and my editor.
Lola, wise and patient woman, who laughs at the sound of my whining and gnashing teeth.
Betsy, wise cynical muse, who knows, like Ionesco, that it is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.
I’m a day late, someone called Florence came knocking at our door and wouldn’t leave for the better part of five days.
So – I swear by all that is dear and holy to you or me – I was thinking of Sally Field this a.m. as I began to realize I needed something of an acceptance speech,and I can completely relate to her moment. I will actually get the opportunity to make one of these speeches when I go to Greenville SC in early November and accept the Southeastern Library Association’s (SELA) 2018 Author of the Year award in the fiction category for THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET.
I was told about a month ago, but I still pinch myself now and then.
Who would I thank? Probably some of the same people in the Acknowledgements of the book – but also, readers. Especially readers. To me, they are the ones who make/break a book. Awards aside, I’ve seen books without them do better than the ones with – but I still like having one. No denying it.
Congratulations, Donna!
Thanks, Tetman!
Great news; Congratulations, Donna!
Thanks, Mike D.!
We like you. We really like you. Congratulations!!!!!
Betsy. Jeez I’m anonymous on my own damn blog.
Ha – and yet, I knew that was you before you said so.
Exactly right – those were the words in my head. I get it though. I almost wanted to call someone up and say, “You sure you meant me?”
And thank you!
Natalie Merchant for Kind and Generous.