That's really nice of you Rosana. Thank you so much. And yes, an unforgettable experience. I love it when you sit down and start trying to recall specific details within a memory: first it's a trickle and then a faucet and then a fire hose :-) it all came back.
Spectacular story. Vividly written. I had to re-read the part where you named your sisters and what they’re doing—you hadn’t mentioned them before and I was thinking, first: who are these people? And then; who does she think she is naming Debby by her first name only? Then I put two and two together. 😂 Look forward to reading more.
Haha, it would be so weird if I explained who's who in the world every time a member of the family came up in my stories. 😂 You reminded me, Lynn, that sometimes it's going to leave people hanging! Thank you for reading the story, and for the affirming compliments. Nice to know.
I can't believe you got crowned by Queen Elizabeth Taylor! Add Tom Bosley to the mix and this feels positively surreal. What a terrific story, Laury. How lucky we are you are sharing all these memories!
The Tom Bosley part is a hoot. I definitely remember the coronation too, there were like words I had to read, and they were very serious! And now I'm waiting with bated breath to read your book, looking forward to it.
Laury, I loved this piece. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and how it played out for you with all of your added insights. I can only imagine what it would be like to be rubbing elbows, in essence with those celebrities, especially Elizabeth Taylor. You took us there.
What I really loved was how you said that the necklace was a treasure, but possibly it was even more special knowing Elizabeth Taylor looked your way. Such a great perspective.
Laury, I also shared it today in a group from Chris B. Writes where we help each other discover other writers on Tuesdays. Hope you get a few more reads from it.
That's become the top priority for me here on this space, too. Everyday, I want to expose myself to powerful, empathetic and insightful writing, and every day I want to share some of that with others.
I love this story, and how you've conjured your inner-19-year-old self to tell it. I was right there with you, amid the excitement and jitters and questions.
And that you got "crowned" by THE Elizabeth Taylor!
Here's a throwback: in the early 1980s, I was press secretary for a Congressional candidate in Delaware. Her last name, Dupont, and her husband, at the time, governor. I was in the office alone working one Saturday afternoon when I got a call from Elizabeth Taylor! I was beyond excited--of course the Duponts would know her. Except that it turned out that THIS Elizabeth Taylor was a reporter for Time magazine, and wanted to do a feature on my candidate--who was one of only four women running for Congress at a time when there were few women serving.
Okay, doing my job, we arranged a day for her to follow my candidate on the campaign trail. Both women were from the mainline in Philly--the elite. So they immediately established a connection. How shocked we were (again!) when the story came out and she skewered my candidate! To make matters worse, the magazine did caricatures of each of the four women to illustrate their profile, and they put the wrong illustration with my candidate's profile.
Still, our competitor, a one-term incumbent, did not get the royal treatment in anyway. (P.S. He won his seat back).
Oh my gosh what a great story, Robin! There were some plot twists in there for sure, but such a disappointing ending, I'm afraid. I wonder where your Elizabeth Taylor is today, and whether her views have remained the same :-) But look at you, out there fighting the fight back in the 1980s! Can't say I'm surprised.
Thank you for the support, and for sharing my story. And for a fun answer to it🙏
Great question! I just looked her up and apparently she's done quite well for herself. She's now co-editor at the National Book Review--which I'm now curious about.
And yes, advocating for women in political life and work has long been a passion. Sadly, seems we've come in for some a backlash on that score. . .
I missed this comment, Robin. I'm glad I found it now. I remember the conversation, and this is a perfect update! Elizabeth Taylor II is still going strong. ;) It's good to hear more about your contributions and successes.
We all long to be chosen. This reminded me of moments I felt that and also triggered shudders of memory of the ‘chosen few’ I was raised with. What an amazing experience, Laury!
Gosh, that's so nice Robin! Blossoming is a nice word, and I can't say it doesn't feel like a part of me coming to life 🫶 thanks for taking the time, I know if your feed is like mine, there's so much to see out here!
What an AMAZING story!!! I loved every minute of it. I remember the one time I got to wear a crown (homecoming queen) and I agree, every girl once to be a princess, even for a day. xx
Oh my goodness, I would love to see that picture! No doubt you were stunning as queen! It was a bit awkward for me, not really a girly girl, but what a peek into a world I know nothing about! Thanks for checking it out, Lisa! xo
You have such great stories, Laury! What an experience that must have been. Thanks for sharing!
That's really nice of you Rosana. Thank you so much. And yes, an unforgettable experience. I love it when you sit down and start trying to recall specific details within a memory: first it's a trickle and then a faucet and then a fire hose :-) it all came back.
Spectacular story. Vividly written. I had to re-read the part where you named your sisters and what they’re doing—you hadn’t mentioned them before and I was thinking, first: who are these people? And then; who does she think she is naming Debby by her first name only? Then I put two and two together. 😂 Look forward to reading more.
Haha, it would be so weird if I explained who's who in the world every time a member of the family came up in my stories. 😂 You reminded me, Lynn, that sometimes it's going to leave people hanging! Thank you for reading the story, and for the affirming compliments. Nice to know.
A glimpse into my quirky brain. I think I only stumbled upon your work recently and honestly forgot the Boone part. 🙃
In some small way, that makes me happy.
🙃
This was such a fun stroll down memory lane. Queen for a day with a necklace and smile from Elizabeth Taylor. Fabulous.
It was the smile, though, right? 💙
I can't believe you got crowned by Queen Elizabeth Taylor! Add Tom Bosley to the mix and this feels positively surreal. What a terrific story, Laury. How lucky we are you are sharing all these memories!
The Tom Bosley part is a hoot. I definitely remember the coronation too, there were like words I had to read, and they were very serious! And now I'm waiting with bated breath to read your book, looking forward to it.
Just warning ya, I can’t compete with Tom Bosley, though! And also, thank you :)
Laury, I loved this piece. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and how it played out for you with all of your added insights. I can only imagine what it would be like to be rubbing elbows, in essence with those celebrities, especially Elizabeth Taylor. You took us there.
What I really loved was how you said that the necklace was a treasure, but possibly it was even more special knowing Elizabeth Taylor looked your way. Such a great perspective.
I really mean it!
But the whole thing was the memory of a lifetime. Thanks for the support Melanie.
Laury, I also shared it today in a group from Chris B. Writes where we help each other discover other writers on Tuesdays. Hope you get a few more reads from it.
Melanie, you've been so generous. And not just with me. Thank you for supporting me and so many others in their writing.
I think it’s so important to support each other’s work, so I do try to fit it in as I can :)
Many have done the same for me, including you, so paying it forward is the plan always.
That's become the top priority for me here on this space, too. Everyday, I want to expose myself to powerful, empathetic and insightful writing, and every day I want to share some of that with others.
Awesome Laury :)
I love this story, and how you've conjured your inner-19-year-old self to tell it. I was right there with you, amid the excitement and jitters and questions.
And that you got "crowned" by THE Elizabeth Taylor!
Here's a throwback: in the early 1980s, I was press secretary for a Congressional candidate in Delaware. Her last name, Dupont, and her husband, at the time, governor. I was in the office alone working one Saturday afternoon when I got a call from Elizabeth Taylor! I was beyond excited--of course the Duponts would know her. Except that it turned out that THIS Elizabeth Taylor was a reporter for Time magazine, and wanted to do a feature on my candidate--who was one of only four women running for Congress at a time when there were few women serving.
Okay, doing my job, we arranged a day for her to follow my candidate on the campaign trail. Both women were from the mainline in Philly--the elite. So they immediately established a connection. How shocked we were (again!) when the story came out and she skewered my candidate! To make matters worse, the magazine did caricatures of each of the four women to illustrate their profile, and they put the wrong illustration with my candidate's profile.
Still, our competitor, a one-term incumbent, did not get the royal treatment in anyway. (P.S. He won his seat back).
Thanks for sparking the memory, Laury!
Oh my gosh what a great story, Robin! There were some plot twists in there for sure, but such a disappointing ending, I'm afraid. I wonder where your Elizabeth Taylor is today, and whether her views have remained the same :-) But look at you, out there fighting the fight back in the 1980s! Can't say I'm surprised.
Thank you for the support, and for sharing my story. And for a fun answer to it🙏
Great question! I just looked her up and apparently she's done quite well for herself. She's now co-editor at the National Book Review--which I'm now curious about.
And yes, advocating for women in political life and work has long been a passion. Sadly, seems we've come in for some a backlash on that score. . .
I missed this comment, Robin. I'm glad I found it now. I remember the conversation, and this is a perfect update! Elizabeth Taylor II is still going strong. ;) It's good to hear more about your contributions and successes.
We all long to be chosen. This reminded me of moments I felt that and also triggered shudders of memory of the ‘chosen few’ I was raised with. What an amazing experience, Laury!
Ooof. I felt that.
🫶
You looked gorgeous
What a story!
Haha, all true!
I enjoyed reading this, Laury. You're really blossoming with Least Famous- I've enjoyed watching you evolve your work. Keep up the great work. xx
Gosh, that's so nice Robin! Blossoming is a nice word, and I can't say it doesn't feel like a part of me coming to life 🫶 thanks for taking the time, I know if your feed is like mine, there's so much to see out here!
What an AMAZING story!!! I loved every minute of it. I remember the one time I got to wear a crown (homecoming queen) and I agree, every girl once to be a princess, even for a day. xx
For me, trying to respond to comments has limited flexibility! Look for your name somewhere in this thread, Lisa haha, because I did respond 🤣
Oh my goodness, I would love to see that picture! No doubt you were stunning as queen! It was a bit awkward for me, not really a girly girl, but what a peek into a world I know nothing about! Thanks for checking it out, Lisa! xo
A wonderful fairy-tale story! Thank you for sharing this one!