5/2/16 “Happy May Day!”
Hi Everyone,
I hope you’re doing well, and enjoying spring somewhere. It snowed briefly in Paris last week, and has been freezing!!! So much for April in Paris. Now on to May, which is off to a sweet start, and very busy!!!
First, before anything else, so many of you have very kindly asked about my niece, who was severely injured in the attacks and explosion in Brussels exactly a month ago. She is doing well and hanging on bravely, undergoing many (daily) surgeries. Unfortunately, she lost both legs from the damage, which is very hard at 17. But little by little she is healing from her many injuries (hand, spine, burns, shrapnel throughout her body, much of which can’t be removed). My hope for her is that in time, she will recover and be able to lead a good and full life again. I am VERY, VERY grateful and touched by your good thoughts and prayers. I didn’t want to write the blog without thanking you, and letting you know how she’s doing, since you’ve been kind enough to ask.
Yesterday, May 1st was May Day, which is a big national holiday in France. It is Labor Day, but May Day has always been an important holiday in France. There were flower stands set up on every street, to sell little sprigs of lily of the valley, which people give each other for good luck. Everyone exchanges them, lovers, friends, relatives, employees and employers. Every street is filled with the delicate fragrance of lily of the valley, and the tradition of giving it to everyone is wonderful. The day also has special meaning for me, because May 1st was my late son Nick’s birthday, so the day is tied to sweet memories of him and his May Day birthday. The day is always somewhat bittersweet for me because of him, so I spent the day quietly alone, getting calls and emails from my children and close friends. And then in the evening, I had dinner in a group with 9 friends, at a restaurant I like (and gave them each a tiny vase of lily of the valley, and a box with a chocolate lily of the valley in it). I had a really nice time with them, and it made the day easier for me. We enjoyed the conversations, and just being together, until midnight. People stay a long time after dinner to talk in France. No one is in a rush to go home. It was a really lovely, long congenial evening!!
I was writing all last week, so didn’t go out too much, and I saw family for dinner on Saturday, my friends on Sunday night, and next week, I have some lunches and dinners planned with friends.
And major publishing news this week, On Tuesday May 3rd, my new novel “The Apartment” comes out, and I’m really looking forward to it. And my new children’s book “Pretty Minnie in Hollywood” comes out on the same day. I hope you get them both and LOVE them!!! The Apartment will make a great Mother’s Day gift, and the children’s book is perfect for any little girl who likes pretty clothes!!
Preorder THE APARTMENT: http://bit.ly/1XqGf0x
Preorder PRETTY MINNIE IN HOLLYWOOD: http://bit.ly/1Sc1fdm
Take good care of yourself and have a GREAT week, filled with joy and blessings. And I hope your Mother’s Day on Sunday will be fabulous!!!
love,
Danielle
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I surely can see how May Day is bittersweet for you-memories of your dear son and celebrations with family and friends. Glad to hear of your niece’s solid road to recovery. I will pray for strength, peace, future joys, and happiness for her. God Bless.
your niece having been in a rough roua but im sure she’ll be stronger than ever when totally recovers.
telling a little about my weekend: it was my dad’s 67yo b’day and we had a surprise party for him. he has a tumour on his brain and it can’t be operated anymore ( he already had some cirurgies)…anyaways. we were there and everyone told him we were working at someone else’s party and well he was really happy with everything.
Im becoming a translator were I work. Im a proofreader now and Im really glad and scared with this new challenge.
🙂
cant wait to read “The Apartment”..Im giving my little niece “Pretty Minnie…” soon. sure she’ll like it, everyone in the family reads your books and she is learning to read.
have a great week.
Love always.
Keyla
Danielle,
Thank you for the update on your niece.
Perhaps she will help others some day going through something similar some day.
My thoughts and prayers are there for you and your late son Nick too. I know I have said this before but you will always be connected to him through love.
JK Rowling said when somebody dies the love isn’t turned off like a faucet. It still there.
I have read a lot about you, Gloria Vanderbilt and Judy Collins who all lost children to suicide. I see the profound love you all had for your sons.
I would give my right arm to have any of you as my mom and that love.
Life is strange that way.
Enjoy reading your blog and hearing how you are enjoying life besides working hard.
God Bless you and shine on!
Truth, Wisdom, Love and sincerity, to ALL Mankind.
TWLS,
Rob
p.s. Here are the clips. As a crisis intervention and suicide prevention counselor it gave me insight into what the survivors of suicide go through.
Perhaps it could bring value to the subject of suicide prevention here by never giving up or losing Hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpgeN7uGDyE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNittvHI-SY
Grace is the word to describe Judy’s performance. Moved me to the core.
TWLS,
Rob
Happy Mother’s Day.
Thank you for all your wonderful books.
Thank you for the update on your niece. I’m sorry to hear she has lost both her legs but am glad she is on the road to recovery. Please do keep us updated on your niece’s progress. She is in my prayers.