From time to time I'll share with you some of the letters I receive from readers that bring joy and comfort to my soul.  This one arrived after the reader, Jan Stewart, worked to secure a copy of each of my books for her collection.  A Burden Shared has gone out of print but Jan was determined to find one and send it to me to be signed to her.  She found a used copy at Powell's Books in Portland.  It had already been signed.  

Here's what it said inside: 
Dear Janet 
Page 25 is you.  
Thank you for being. 
Happy Birthday! 
(Signed)With Love, Marie

Here's what Janet told me next:  

"Two years ago this past Mother's Day, a classmate of mine, Marie, was seriously hurt while putting flowers on her mother- in-law's grave site. The wind blew a scarf she wore and Marie turned to try and catch it and fell against a tombstone and broke her neck. In that instant, Marie was made a quadriplegic. When Marie was released from the hospital many weeks later, her husband took her home and between he and her sister and one other caregiver, Marie lived almost 2 1/2 years. Marie was not able to speak and only mouthed words. As you know, insurance is not that good and many expenses weren't paid  by insurance, but still Marie needed these items to keep her alive. My friend Carole, also a classmate, heard about it and we talked it over and decided that each of us would send $100, her one month and me the next. Carole was able to go visit her often but I was not able to do so, although I did make her a quilt and gave it to her, to cheer up her room. 
When I opened up this little book, and saw the inscription and then went in and read the poem, It was like hearing Marie speaking to me. She had never been able to thank me, and actually I needed no thanks, I did it because I cared and it was needed.

• Friday, September 10, 2:00 p.m.; Newell House Museum, 8089 Champoeg Rd., NE, St. Paul, Oregon;. NEWELL HOUSE HARVEST TEA.  Join Jane as she speaks about Pioneer Women at this fundraiser event.   
  For more information contact Judy Van Atta at newellhousemuseum@centurytel.net or call 503-678-5537.  The event is open to the public; tickets are $30.

•  Saturday, September 11, 10:00 a.m.; Chinook Winds Golf Course, 3245 Club House Dr., Lincoln City, Oregon;  PNQA (Pacific NW Quetzalcoatl Assoc.) Ladies' Luncheon.  Jane will be the featured speaker for this portion of the PNQA's annual convention.  PNQA's philanthropy is the Shrine Hospital for Children's transportation fund.  The no-host luncheon is open to the public on a space available basis.  For reservations or more information contact Ramona Hugulet at duaneh@pacififier.com or 503-254-9820.
  
• SEPTEMBER 19 - OCTOBER 9: VACATION IN GREECE TO CELEBRATE JERRY'S 80TH BIRTHDAY (a bit late!)

• October 15-17;  Wickenburg, Arizona (at a great guest ranch!); WOMEN WRITING THE WEST Annual Conference.  Jane receives the WILLA Literary Award!  To attend or find out more:  www.womenwritingthewest.org  

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  Saturday, October 23, 6:00 p.m.; Cayuse Hall, Wildhorse Resort & Casino, 72777 Hwy. 331, Pendleton, Oregon; First Presbyterian Church 125 Year Celebration.  Jane will be the keynote speaker at a dinner gathering that is open to the public.  For more information call or e-mail Rudy Rada at 541-276-2258,  oldtimer18@charter.net 

• October 29, 7:00 p.m.;  Northwood Christian Church,  2425 Harvest Lane, Springfield, OR;   "AN EVENING WITH JANE KIRKPATRICK."  Jane will be the featured speaker for this fundraiser for the Northwood Church Library.  Admission is $5 and the event is open to the public.  Plus they usually have desserts! 

• October 30, 2:00-4:00 p.m.; First Baptist Church, 27910 Seven Mile Lane, Brownsville OR;  BROWNSVILLE WOMEN'S STUDY CLUB'S 100th Anniversary Celebration.