Tuesday 20 February 2024

Thinkabout for St Johns Pevensey Road, the 1st Sunday in Lent, February 18th 2024

2 comments:

Tim Drake said...

Dear Ms. Wilcock,
I don't know how else to reach you, but I wanted to write to share with you the power of your writing, and ask a request. I hope you'll appreciate the story.

I first heard of your book "The Hawk and the Dove" probably 15 years ago. I was attending a homeschool conference, and a presenter shared his list of great read-aloud books for families. Your book was mentioned.

I got the book from the library, and brought it with me on an international trip for work. I was working as a journalist at the time.

Well, the story grabbed me immediately and you might imagine my embarrassment at being moved to tears numerous times on the plane as I read the story. I found it so well written, and moving, and enjoyable.

I don't know what happened afterwards - probably life and children (we have five adult children) and work, but I never made it back to your books, but always had a sense that there were more.

Fast forward to just a few weeks ago. I love reading aloud to my wife while she does her handwork, sewing, quilting, etc. It's a "date" for us. I re-discovered your books and ordered all of them. We're just finishing "The Wounds of God." It's such a perfect book for Lent, the Triduum, and Good Friday (today).

I simply want to thank you for sharing these stories. They are so, so well written. We have endured suffering. Your books demonstrate such a beautiful understanding of the faith and suffering and love and mercy.

I operate a silent hermitage retreat center in Minnesota and want to obtain a full set of your books for our library, because I think they would be so helpful for those who come and desire to read.

I was wondering, might it be possible to purchase a signed copy of one of your books as a gift for my wife, Mary? I realize you may not be able to respond to such requests, but thought I would ask. It doesn't matter which book... perhaps you could surprise us.

I look forward to hearing from you. I can share my contact information once I hear back from you.

Tim

Pen Wilcock said...

Hi Tim — Waving from England!
Of course. I'm so glad you are finding the stories helpful and strengthening. That makes me happy.
If you would like to write to me again with your contact details, I can get hold of a copy and sign it and sent it to you. I will not publish that comment, because you don't want your details splashed around on the World Wide Web — your comment will come to me for moderation, and I will delete it after making a note of your details. If you let me know your email address as well as your street address, then I can send you an email to let you know I've got the info safe and will be in touch.
I don't keep copies of my books except for one set for reference purposes, because I live in a tiny room in a shared house, so my space is at a premium. I just buy copies on Amazon same as everyone else if I want one.
If, when you comment again, you let me know how far on with the series you are, I can get a copy of the next book and send you that.
There is one alternative. We here are just now in process of getting back the rights to my work from the publisher who presently has them, and we will be bringing out our own edition of the whole series in the next few weeks, under our own publishing imprint, Humilis Hastings. If you don't mind the wait, but send me your contact details anyway, then I can send you whichever is your favourite volume, from the new series edition. A final option is that I can, if you wish, send you a copy of Brother Cyril's Book, the very last story (apart from the one I'm working on at the moment), which is already in the format the new edition will follow — same cover artist, etc.
I hope that is not too long and garbled to take in! Basically, yes — send me your contact details and I'l send you and Mary a book.
Lovely to hear from you. Blessed be.