Hey, Brenda. Long time, no talk. I’d normally apologize for not writing sooner, but I know you see everything now that you’re on “the other side,” as your father once referred to it.
I think of you and your family this time of the year. Christmas was a big event for your family, a tradition that really began with your late grandmother, who took the holiday very seriously. And by seriously, I mean choosing a theme and color every year, thoughtful gifts for every single person in a large family and a carefully orchestrated meal.
I also think about your mother and her struggles after you left this life. Several times in our dozens of conversations, she’s told me how difficult the holidays are without you. It was a special time for both of you.
Christmastime also was around the time I started seriously considering writing about you. That was in December 2016 during a visit to my cousin’s house for a party. Aunts, uncles and cousins asked over and over again what I was going to write about for my senior capstone project in grad school.
Time and time again, each relative asked about your story. What I told them back then is a fraction of what I know now. Still, I considered writing about something else, partly because I realized how daunting a task it was going to be to tell your story.
At one point, I was going to write about an ongoing struggle with Epstein-Bar Virus. I ruled that out because, frankly, I was fighting to keep EBV out of my head. So, it was down to a story about you or one about my dad.
That decision came down to a phone call with your dad. After politely saying “No” at first, he called me later and said, “I talked to my mom about this, and she thinks we need to do it. I’d like to work with you and learn more.”
Seven years later, the work continues, and it’s finally close to being finished. There have been hundreds of trips to Dover and dozens of coffee shops and restaurants in Topeka for interviews. I’ve spoken to people in Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and elsewhere. I’ve been to courthouses in several counties. I’ve met some amazing folks.
Thousands upon thousands of hours of writing and editing, massaging the copy to ensure that your story is as good as it should be.
As for the ongoing work, we’re close. I’m speaking with a publisher, and we’re making final edits. I need to build a website, design a cover and craft a title. I can’t wait to share your story. With any luck, it’ll be a nice Christmas gift next year.
Merry Christmas.
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS SERIES
Twelve Days of Christmas, Part VI: Booker the cool cat
Twelve Days of Christmas, Part V: About Joplin, my hometown
Twelve Days of Christmas, Part IV: Christmas in Arkansas
Twelve Days of Christmas, Part III: From the archives
Twelve Days of Christmas, Part II: The Pine Tar Derby
Twelve Days of Christmas, Part I: Rest in peace, Dan Ascheman
2022 finale: The search for James “Danny” Hollingshead continues