My sister, Jay, passed away on Saturday afternoon with her son, Dale Allen Lane, at her side. She suffered a stroke on Monday night and was gone six days later. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra, she did it her way. She had left behind a living will and detailed directions, including no hospital visitors and no flowers.
In other words, during that difficult time, Dale didn’t have to make any decisions on his own. All he had to do was carry out the decisions his mother had already made, and he did that to a T. Good for him—good for both of them.
Dale has recently retired after years of working as the Head Flyman at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle after a career in theater production, and he was already doing that back in the eighties when I was working on Beaumont #4, Taking the Fifth.
The word ‘fifth’ in the title has nothing to do with amendments to the United States Constitution and everything to do with Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theater. Since a good deal of the plot in my book has to do with the inner workings of the theater, I asked Dale if he could give me a personally guided backstage tour which he did.
That’s why, on the dedication page of Taking the Fifth, you find the following words: “For DAL: If all the world’s a stage, then God must be the head carpenter”. That turned out to be prophetic since he eventually spent several years as the Fifth Avenue’s Head Carpenter.
Several weeks ago I wrote about my struggles with the current Ali book, Smoke and Mirrors. For some reason, the characters and I weren’t on speaking terms. They just wouldn’t DO anything! One of the characters was named David, but he remained as bullheadedly silent as everybody else.
Then, one night, sitting here in my writing chair, I gave my David character a middle name—Leon—and suddenly, in a goosebump moment, I realized he had just come to life for me. You see, David Leon Lane was the name of Jay’s younger son who passed away from cancer at age 44 in 2001.
After changing the character’s name from David Holbrook to David Leon Holbrook in the Smoke and Mirrors name file, I went straight to the dedication page and wrote: In memory of David Leon Lane. Then I sent Jay an email letting her know what had just occurred. She was thrilled to hear it and passed the news on to both David’s widow, Mary, and his brother.
At the time I thought it was silly of me to be telling her about the dedication so early in the game. Generally, that information remains on the QT until the book is actually published. It turns out, however, that that uncharacteristic hastiness on my part must have been a moment of divine inspiration. Telling Jay about the dedication the very day it came to me was an early but also just-in-time blessing for both of us.
It was the last and best gift I could ever have given her.
As for my fictional David Leon Holbrook? He’s turning out to be a fine young man despite having been raised by his somewhat prickly grandmother because his mother was in prison for most of his childhood. Will he turn out to be as good a cook as David Leon Lane? That I don’t know. It’s still too early to tell, but legend has it that the real David Leon first attracted the attention of the woman he would eventually marry by bringing Evie Busk’s green chili casserole to a work-related potluck supper.
Was that another bit of divine inspiration? You tell me.
Eternity and grace combine in moments like these.
Love your inspirations! Just wanted to say “Thank you” for introducing me to The Bernie and Chet Mysteries. You bring the pages to life. So enjoy that about your writing. Sorry for your loss.
Beautiful story. Reminds me of when my mom died. She had dementia but, we had a couple bry nice visits before she left us
Sometimes God gives us a “nudge,” I believe, which, if we pay attention to and obey, can lead to all sorts of exciting and wonderful results. Your idea–divine inspiration, as you term it–to dedicate the book to David Leon, and TELL Jay about it early, sounds like one of those nudges, because God knew in advance that you didn’t have much time in which to give Jay that thrilling and affirming gift. How wonderful that you didn’t second-guess yourself, and wait until publication, but went with the “moment of divine inspiration.”
After having read all you books I would have to agree that there is some divine intervention involved in all of them.
Sorry about your sister. Even though expected. I am glad she had defined all her intentions. Something I’ve been neglecting and should do soon.
I’m looking forward to the next Ali book.
So sorry for the loss of your sister. Fly with angels Jay. Don’t you just love divine inspirations!
Blessings to you and Bill
Divine inspiration comes in many forms and often at the most unexpected time.
So sorry to hear of the passing of your sister. I do lost a sister and I take comfort in knowing that she is with family members who have passed befor her. R.I.P Jay
I am sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry to hear your sad news Judy. My thoughts are with you and your family.
I love your stories. I look forward to this blog every week. I’m happy you were able to give your sister this last gift.
I’m so sorry for your loss of your sister, Jay. I appreciated how the best and last gift to her was given before she passed so she knew your writing shared your love in one of your books. How truly blessed she must have felt. May you draw comfort knowing that love never dies.
So sorry about Jay but a blessing it was for her to know about the book dedication! God works in mysterious ways…
Perfect!
I’m so sorry for your loss. Yes thongs do happen for reason and I believe that is why you told your sister about the dedication when you did. Godspeed Jay.
Your sister Jay, did indeed do it her way and by doing so she helped her son by saying exactly what she wanted. Something we should all do to help those left behind when we die.
Sending you love. As hard as it is to lose someone we love, I can’t even imagine losing someone without having our heavenly Father to hold us.
Request:
Would you share your mom’s Green Chili Casserole recipe in next weeks blog?
Here’s a link to the recipe. If you want to cheat, skip the oil and tortillas and use tortilla chips. https://www.jajance.com/jajance.com/sugarloaf-cafe.html
I offer my sincere condolences on the passing of your sister.
God does work in mysterious ways.
So sorry for the loss of your sister!! Hugs
Praying for comfort and peace for you and your family. So very sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart is with you. Sisters, even though you had more than my one and only big sister, are wonderful to go through life with, and you have one less.
Very sorry for your loss
So sad and sorry to hear about your sister, JA. You are a marvel. <3