Hanford High ’59 Bookclub
About one month ago I was contacted by a lovely lady named Carol who lives in my hometown. She had seen the article about me in the Hanford Sentinel last August and decided to read Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One simply because she was intrigued by the story of my journey and that I was a local author. She loved the novel, even though she isn’t a major Jane Austen fan. In fact, she loved it so much that when February rolled around and it was then her turn to choose the novel for the book club she is a part of, she made all of the ladies read it! She then contacted me and invited me to join their discussion luncheon! Naturally I was thrilled… but also a bit nervous. After all, Carol loved it, but the rest could hate it and blast me to the wall! Fortunately that was NOT the case.
L->R: Karen, Wilma, Bettye, Norma, Reon, Janet, Helen, Me, Carol, and Linda
Furthermore, I had an absolutely amazing time with this incredible group of gals. Let me tell you about these women because they are fantastic. They all attended Hanford High School and were friends. In 1959 they graduated together (excepting 2 ladies who graduated later) and have maintained contact and friendship down through these past 50 years! That is utterly incredible and a beautiful testimony to the power of faithfulness and caring. I was touched by their camaraderie and devotion. On top of that, they were spunky, humorous, and fun, fun, fun! I truly had one of the best afternoons spent with a group of women in ages.
Aren’t they a gorgeous group of ladies? My daughter joined us and we met at a Mexican restaurant for a delicious lunch. The comments were universally positive with everyone enjoying my novel. They were so gracious, asking me numerous questions about the story and my journey to getting published. But most of the time we just chatted and laughed! I could not believe how active and vital they all were! Carol joked that I was expecting a bunch of old women shuffling in with walkers, and to be frank I kind of was! LOL! I hope I am half as zippy when their age.
After lunch we retired to Janet’s house for yummy Better Than Sex cake – eminently apropos! I signed a bunch of books and talked more about the series. But mostly we talked about Hanford and life. I had a blast looking through yearbooks from the late 50s with the ladies and their handsome boyfriends (some who became husbands) posing on the lawns and steps of the same high school my son attends in their classy dresses and bobby socks. Everyone looked so clean cut with perfectly styled hair. It was fabulous! I was sad to leave and really hope I can keep in touch with these women who inspired me and touched my heart.
[…] March I attended a luncheon with the ladies of the Hanford High ’59 Bookclub, who had read my debut novel as their February selection. It was so fun to chat about my […]
They are truly awesome ladies. Carol called me yesterday wanting 2 sets of books for other lady friends. So I took them over and we ended up chatting for a good 2 hours and I met her Mr. Darcy! Married over 50 years and still in love. Ah, the testimonies of true romance and a strong marriage. 🙂
Dear Sharon!
What a great story! I think it is amazing to stay in touch for such a long time.
Lately I spoke with friends about some people we haven´t seen for years although we were rather close back then. It is so hard to stay together through changing jobs, friends,…
I am very grateful for friends, who share my life for many years now.
These ladies are fantastic!
Susanne
What an awesome bunch of ladies!!! They have great taste in books too!!!
Glad you all had a ball and that they all loved your novels. (How could they not?)
It must have been such a thrill for them having your wonderful company at the book club meeting!
It is such a wonderful story how they all stay in touch through this book club and for 50years!
Sharon thank you for sharing this amazing adventure with us.
TSBO devotee
Vee
Oh Sharon, what a wonderful story and picture. I am so glad your books are still being discovered by so many different people and that they love the books as much as the rest of us.
It sounds as though you had a wonderful afternoon and get together. How marvelous. Hopefully you will all be able to reconnect again soon.
Isn’t it amazing how they all have kept in contact for all these years? And they are all local. How very fortunate for them. Most of my friends from high school are scattered in the winds. Some I do keep in touch with via the internet though..
Thank you for sharing with us.
Take care and God Bless.
Esther