Sunday evening was magical—(le) poisson rouge gallery bar was bursting with good friends, applause, and copies of Confessions everywhere. Thanks to Donna, my assistant, her husband Steve, and my sister Catherine (the same Catherine Joan so admired as a girl), the room was filled with tulips and … and not so subtle signs encouraging guests to consider Confessions an apt holiday gift (more about that later). The staff at LPR was wonderfully gracious and accommodating—moving furniture around to my liking, serving up delicious tapas and topping those off with chocolate chip cookies and glasses of milk. Special thanks to David, my son, and Justin, his partner, founders of LPR and General Manager, Brett Tabisel, for making the day so special. So many wonderful friends were there—including my editor, Mickey Appleman (Pearlman), a couple (Cathy and Carl Malmstrom) that I haven’t seen since the day I got married 32 years ago, my best friends for over 45 years (Carol and Fred Snyder), and another couple (Arlene and Joey Scozzari) that I befriended and introduced in college. Alan was there of course as were his cousins and mine; our son, David and his wife, Marlene brought many of their friends—all adopted sons and daughters of Alan and me. Some even brought GIFTS!!! Mickey made me a doll named Miss Daisy, a girl who loves jewelry just like Mickey does and Joan did and still does), Arlene brought a lovely silk shawl (I’m known to be the queen of shawls) and Marlene, her Mom, Charlene, and David sent a bouquet of baby orchids to my home and brought white roses and pink lilies to the party and gave me a gorgeous art deco gold locket carved with the head and long hair of a young girl reminiscent of  Joan. Many books were sold; some friends bought several copies—Carol bought 20! She’s committed to broadening the reach of Confessions by sending it out to friends as holiday gifts. (I recently heard about a man whose book sold over a million copies; he attributes that success to his friends buying it for their friends who in turn bought it for their friends. Sound like a plan for Confessions? Chanukah and Christmas are coming…. Wanna help?)

The highlight of the evening for me was Teresa Carson’s (CKP Associate Publisher and long time friend) generous and insightful introduction followed by my reading of 4 short sections from Confessions. I was more comfortable than I had imagined (in fact, I was exhilarated!) assuming the voice of my young self and reading her thoughts to so many of my friends; they, in turn, were wonderfully responsive. The last of us didn’t leave until 9 PM (we started at 5!) The Handlers (Alan, David, and Marlene) topped the evening off with take out at home —Italian of course from our favorite family restaurant since David was a boy. It was glOrious!  And so was yesterday and today and tomorrow…and forever! I am Happy!