Crossing The Moon by Paulette Alden
Paulette's story was one I could relate to at many different points. She was raised in the prim and proper south. I was not, however the same moral values were drummed into my head beginning at a very young age. When Paulette set off to a fellowship at Stanford, she drove across country not knowing anything of the rest of the world. Her innocence and naivete may have been her greatest strength. I made a similar choice to move to a strange city where I knew no one after I graduated from college. It was struggle, but today I am better off because of it.
I also admired Paulette's desire to be a writer. I related completely to the struggle of time and distraction that is every writer's enemy. And I felt her joy at receiving an acceptance letter from a publisher. A writer's life is full of ups and downs and as a writer myself, I found comfort knowing I am not alone.
The bulk of this story is Paulette's path through infertility treatments. In my thirties, I made a conscious decision not to have children. No woman comes to that choice lightly and I remember that phase of my life well. Paulette took a step further through years of fertility treatment but in the end came to the same resolution that children were not going to be a part of her life. She found peace. I completely understood her choice and her thought process.
Crossing The Moon is a lovely memoir of a woman's choices in life. As women we have a habit of second guessing ourselves but we need to remember that each step we take is part of a journey called life. The voyage belongs to you and only you no matter where it might lead.
Paulette's story was one I could relate to at many different points. She was raised in the prim and proper south. I was not, however the same moral values were drummed into my head beginning at a very young age. When Paulette set off to a fellowship at Stanford, she drove across country not knowing anything of the rest of the world. Her innocence and naivete may have been her greatest strength. I made a similar choice to move to a strange city where I knew no one after I graduated from college. It was struggle, but today I am better off because of it.
I also admired Paulette's desire to be a writer. I related completely to the struggle of time and distraction that is every writer's enemy. And I felt her joy at receiving an acceptance letter from a publisher. A writer's life is full of ups and downs and as a writer myself, I found comfort knowing I am not alone.
The bulk of this story is Paulette's path through infertility treatments. In my thirties, I made a conscious decision not to have children. No woman comes to that choice lightly and I remember that phase of my life well. Paulette took a step further through years of fertility treatment but in the end came to the same resolution that children were not going to be a part of her life. She found peace. I completely understood her choice and her thought process.
Crossing The Moon is a lovely memoir of a woman's choices in life. As women we have a habit of second guessing ourselves but we need to remember that each step we take is part of a journey called life. The voyage belongs to you and only you no matter where it might lead.
Linda, how wonderful of you to post this review of CROSSING. I've very pleased your related to the memoir and interested to hear of your own journey. Thank you for reading the book and writing about it! Best, Paulette
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