Martin of Gfenn Goes to Del Norte

When I did my reading at the Rio Grande County Museum on December 7 — first from the China book then from Martin of Gfenn — two women came up to me afterward to talk. One of them was very touched by the tiny bit I read from Martin’s story, a part relevant to Christmas, spoke straight from the section of Luke in which the rich man, Dives, refuses to help the leper, Lazarus. It’s — it seems — a fairly obscure passage for many people, but it is the essential scriptural source for the Knights of St. Lazarus and the leper hospitals of Europe’s Middle Ages. It was not obscure to this woman. She was moved by it in a way maybe every writer hopes his/her writing moves a reader.

I was ready to hand her a book right then and there, but I wasn’t there to give away books. I was there to sell them.

Her younger sister said, “Can we find that book at the library?” I had to explain how libraries weren’t very keen on self-published books, but the library in Alamosa did have my books because it takes local authors seriously. I smiled. Even I think there’s something “less than” about a self-published novel. She was gently outraged. “Why? You’re a good writer. These are good books!”

A few days ago she called. She wanted to buy two copies. One for her older sister, the one with the Bible verses, and one for herself. I was torn about charging them the full price, or any price. But I told myself, “Martha, you live hand to mouth as it is. Earning money from your writing or your art is no crime. What’s your problem?”

So we arranged to meet today in Del Norte where I had a doctor’s appointment. We pulled up in front of the library at the same time. She hopped into my car (the blessed Bella who loves ice and snow) and handed me $32. We chatted for a minute. “I sent my brother the China book,” she said. “I loved it. I think he will, too. He’s in Chino,” a city in California.

As is the way here in the San Luis Valley, I heard the life stories of three remarkable adults — two teachers and a nurse. There’s something about the San Luis Valley that launches some pretty amazing people out into the so-called “larger world.” One thing that is always a little tricky is that here people really DO know each other, but I don’t know everyone. I am here from the outside, but no longer an outsider. In the eyes of many of the people I know, and many I have met in the last year, I just fit into a context with which they are familiar and I have no idea. I’m OK with that. I just learn as I go.

I told her there were cards inside and that the pictures on the cards are scenes I’d drawn from Martin’s life.

It was all lovely. What a wonderful moment to cap this amazing year.

***

Also, since I have some new readers and some people have asked about the geography of where I live, here’s a map. I live in the world’s largest Alpine valley. We are at 7600 feet — that’s about 2300 meters — pretty much all the way across the valley. We are surrounded by mountains, but the valley is pretty flat. That’s about as good as it could possibly be for me. I can always see mountains. Today they are, in words from Martin of Gfenn “Blue and white promises.”