If for Any Reason
Page 38
But as is always the case, the writing helped me through. It seems I’m unable to think or feel anything unless I’m processing it through the written word.
More than once, this book had me in tears as I contemplated the lessons and thoughts and dreams and ideas I most wanted to communicate to my own daughter. More than once I had to delete letters simply because they made no sense in Emily’s story . . . because they were written to be a part of mine.
I suppose you could say that this book has become tremendously important to me, carrying me through the most difficult season of my life thus far. It accompanied me on that journey, helped me weather that storm, gave me a much-needed distraction, and inadvertently reminded me how very precious life is—not because of what we do or what we own but because of the people who make every day so much richer.
I’m so thankful for Vanessa Reyes, a scrapbooker who, years ago, created a small album full of letters for her daughters—letters that would serve as their connection to her if for any reason she was no longer there. It stuck with me and inspired me to write my own letters and, eventually, this novel.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed Emily and Hollis’s story, and I would love to know what you thought of it. I truly love to hear from my readers, especially when I get to know you a little better! I invite you to stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter on my website, www.courtneywalshwrites.com, or by dropping me a line via e-mail: courtney@courtneywalshwrites.com.
With love and gratitude to you,
Courtney
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
TO ADAM. Always and forever. Me + You. We’ve been through the wringer, haven’t we? And yet here we are, still standing. I know I wouldn’t be if it weren’t for you. Thanks for believing in me and for telling me it was going to be okay . . . even though there were moments neither of us knew that for sure. You are my favorite.
Sophia. In awe of your strength and your vulnerability. You are truly one of a kind. Thanks for pointing out my gray hairs and keeping me on my toes.
Ethan. Your kindness inspires me as much as your hard work motivates me. I’m so glad I get to be your mom.
Sam. I’m so thankful for all the ways you make me laugh. Someday maybe you can thank me in one of your books. ;)
Natalie, Tonia, Chamara, and Tenille. The way you blessed us during such a difficult time in our lives will never be forgotten. I’m so very grateful.
My parents, Bob and Cindy Fassler. So grateful for your love and wisdom in my life.
Stephanie Broene. I was thinking just this morning about how much I love our chats. Thank you for helping me make my stories better, stronger, more realistic. And especially for believing in the words God’s put in my heart.
Danika King. You make every story better, and I am so blessed to work with you. Thank you for being such a gift.
Carrie Erikson. I’m not sure there will ever be a truer friend.
To everyone who supported us during Sophia’s diagnosis, surgery, and treatment. There are so many people who helped carry this burden, and we are indebted to all of you. I’ve never felt an outpouring of love like that, and while the circumstances were not ideal, there were many sweet and unexpected gifts along the way—this was one of them.
To Katie Ganshert, Becky Wade, and Melissa Tagg. Sweet writer friends who put up with my lamenting right around the middle of every book. What would I do without you? I’m so thankful for the hours we spend talking writing, publishing, and life. God’s given me such gifts in each of you.
To Natasha Kern, my agent. Thank you for challenging me to be better and write stronger. I am so thankful for your wisdom on this journey.
To Deb Raney. Always my mentor and always my friend. For all you’ve done to help me understand story, I am grateful.
To the entire team at Tyndale. I know how very blessed I am to work with the best of the best. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family.
To my Studio kids and families. Thank you for making my “day job” so much fun. Every single one of you is an inspiration to me—an example of bravery. Some days we need that a little more than others.
And especially to you, my readers. I hope you know how special you are. I hope you know that your kind words (either directly to me or via a review or social media) are so greatly appreciated. I hope you know that these stories are my way of sharing my heart with you, and I am so grateful to have that opportunity. You mean the world to me.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
When Emily arrives on Nantucket at the beginning of the story, she’s trying to recover from a significant professional failure. Hollis is also faced with the premature end of his baseball career. Have you ever had to deal with unexpected setbacks like Emily and Hollis do? How did you respond?
Hollis longs to connect with his daughter, Jolie, but at first he has no idea where to start. Why is it so difficult for him to relate to her? What are some things Hollis does to demonstrate his love for Jolie, and what impact does this have on their relationship?
One of Emily’s life philosophies is “You have to go through the hard stuff to get to the good stuff.” How does this play out in her story? Can you think of any “good stuff” in your life that resulted from going through challenging times?
For much of her life, Emily has unquestioningly followed the advice in her mom’s letters. In what ways does Isabelle’s advice benefit her, and how does it hold her back? How does Emily’s perspective on the letters change throughout the story?
Isabelle’s parents insist that she conform to their standards of success and decorum, but she has different ideas for how her life should go. How can parents guide and instruct their children while still allowing them to become their own people? How should older children respond when they feel unfairly constrained by their parents?
Emily must choose between taking the risk of loving others and shutting them out or running away. What does this choice look like in her relationship with Hollis? With Jolie? With her grandmother? Why does it often feel so risky to love others and let them love you?
Hollis credits his friend Jimmy with encouraging and supporting him after his injury and setting an example of faith in God. “When it came to his faith, Jimmy approached things his own way. God wasn’t something far-off in the sky that couldn’t be grasped or understood—to Jimmy, he was as real as Hollis and the other guys he called friends.” Can you think of a friend or family member in your own life who has played a role like this for you? What would it look like for you to be this sort of friend to someone else?
Jack edges his way into Emily’s life by signing on as a contractor for her home renovation. Do you think he went about this the right way, or would you have advised him to be more straightforward in connecting with her? How would you describe Jack and Emily’s relationship by the end of the story? How are they able to move toward reconciliation in spite of the mistakes of Jack’s past?
Emily discovers a passion for working with kids: her love for youth theatre grows over the course of the summer. What about this vocation is so rewarding to Emily? If you could transform one of your passions into a career, what would it be?
In Emily’s letter to her mom, she writes, “I thought [God had] abandoned me, but it seems maybe he was there all along—maybe it was time for me to deal with this pain so I could move forward.” How does Emily arrive at this place of renewed faith and determination to move forward? Looking back over your life, can you identify a painful situation where God was at work, even if you couldn’t see him there at the time?
Nantucket serves as a vacation destination for several generations of the Ackerman family. Does your family have a favorite spot to vacation, now or when you were a child? What are some of your favorite—or least favorite!—memories from that place?
At the end of the story, Hollis and Emily discuss possibilities for their future together. How do you imagine their lives unfolding beyond the final page of the book?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
COU
RTNEY WALSH is the author of Just Look Up, Just Let Go, Paper Hearts, Change of Heart, and the Sweethaven series. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller and a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. In addition, she has written two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she is also an artist, theatre director, and playwright.
Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.