This is me, a week ago, with Rosemary Cunningham (left) and Sandra Peachey (middle) in London at the launch of Sandra’s new book, Peachey Letters. What an enjoyable evening it was: talks by Sandra, CEO of Damsels in Success Lucie Bradbury and Mindie Gibbins-Klein, the speaker, book coach and writing and publishing strategist. Then some fabulous catching up and networking accompanied by drinks and canapés. I almost felt like a character in Sex and the City…
Last year, Sandra decided to set herself a challenge. She planned to write a love letter every day of February, and publish them on her blog. In her “Letter to the World”, dated 1st February, Sandra said, “My love letters are intended to entertain me, to allow me to be creative and be a writer; I want them to exorcise demons, to celebrate and give me the space to analyse, enjoy, and give thanks for my life. They are a loving challenge set to myself and to share with the world…”. At this point Sandra had no idea of the impact that her Peachey Letters would have. Soon, she found that people from all over the world were commenting on her blog, and through social media. People who felt touched and moved by the letters, who thanked her for expressing what she did. I was one of those people.
A year later, the Peachey Letters have become a beautiful book. Every page is full of love, love for life and for so many of its facets. Sandra shares her thoughts and feelings, her vulnerability, in a lyrical, even poetic way. There is pain as well as happiness, but throughout the book the emphasis is on love. There are letters to people, both those still with us and some who are no longer here, including both of Sandra’s parents. There is a letter to God, one to daftness and one to food. Amongst the other subjects are loss, money, work and celebration. This is a beautiful book that can be picked up and read piecemeal, and at each reading there is depth and affirmation.
Just recently I’ve been talking about my single status, and I was delighted to discover that Sandra had written her Valentine’s Day letter to “The One”, the Mr Right who might be just round the corner. She says, “…I long to see you and start our time together, but it’s OK that it’s not right now. It will happen when the time is just right”. Whoever might have said that Valentine’s Day is for couples, that single girls can’t celebrate love, even enjoy love that is still to come, will now have to eat their words. Sandra says, “It’s nearly the end of another Valentine’s day and I faced the day happily. I have given and shared love, I have celebrated…”. Let’s not feel sidelined, fellow singletons, let’s follow Sandra’s example and celebrate!
And if you’ve ever wondered how you could have more love in your life, I highly recommend Sandra’s book. It’s completely in your power, and the Peachey Letters show you how!
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