Remoteness

There's a reason why the song goes, "I'll be home for Christmas - but only in my dreams."

For many families, the holiday season is a time of distance, whether it's parents and children living in different corners of the world, husbands and wives separated by military service, or anyone celebrating in one place while part of their heart is in another.  Marcia and I know this experience well.  My own family is more than a thousand miles away, so usually we get together at other times of the year, rather than during the crazy holiday travel season.  We also deal with remoteness in other ways as a result of the book business.  One of the great joys of my life as an author has been the opportunity to get to know people in many corners of the world - across the U.S. and in many other countries - including readers, booksellers, editors, agents, publicists, radio hosts...anyone who is passionate about books.  We've never met most of them face to face, and the reality is, we may never have a chance to do so.  Of course, when we get that occasional opportunity - visiting an area and finally having a chance to hug someone who has become a friend across the miles - it's a huge blessing.

However, we have come to terms with the fact that little pieces of our hearts will always be spread around the world.  Even when we are home in Minnesota, we are also far from people we love.  There's sadness in that, but also joy in knowing so many people who make the world seem a little smaller.  Remoteness may be a fact of life at the holidays and during the rest of the year, but we will continue to treasure all the relationships in our lives, wherever they may be.  To all of you who make it brighter for us - Merry Christmas and our warmest wishes for 2010.