Anna's Little Black Book

Anna Wilson received her first little black book at the age of eleven. It was a gift from her Grandfather. It seemed an odd present in this electronic age, but an important one Anna would later learn. She, was a studious young girl, tall and willowy and he, a white haired man from the old country with a glint in his eyes when he spoke. Anna looked displeased as she opened the gift but quickly caught herself and smiled. “Thank You Grandpa” she said. Her words slightly disingenuous. Nothing could get by the old man, his eyes and ears may have lessened but his attention to the moment was unsurpassed. “May I tell you why I gave you that notebook Anna?” Grandpa asked, “Sure” Anna responded. “That notebook is an important tool for you to use in your life. It needs no batteries, no cords and no updates. Its pages are blank for a reason, to make room for your potential, yes, your potential. When you get a good idea, write it down. For ideas are peculiar things, they travel through the world looking for just the right person to bring it to life. If it’s not written down or acted on their memory quickly fades as they seek out another who will act upon it. Good ideas are worth capturing and writing down just as a person’s life is worth documenting. Do you understand?” Grandpa asked. “I think I do” Anna replied. “One more important thing, you must always keep it nearby at all times. Ideas are tricksters that like to pounce when you’re least prepared.” Grandpa laughed.

So Anna took her Grandpa’s advice and kept it in her backpack during the day and on her nightstand at night. The first few pages were doodles and a couple funny ideas but eventually she would write down daily events and how she felt about them. The next summer when she stayed at her Grandparents farm, Grandpa gave her another present. Anna opened it and there was yet another black notebook. “Do they come in other colors?” Anna asked. “They do” Grandpa responded, “But I suggest your words and ideas be the color inside”. There was weight in Grandpas wisdom , it was simple, factual and always conveyed in the fewest of words. “Then I will write the most colorful stories inside” replied Anna. Grandpa just smiled.

That Christmas, Anna opened her gifts with her family and the last one was a present that Grandfather had sent. She was hoping it wasn't another notebook, but to her surprise it was a small pocket dictionary clad in a bright red cover. The adjoining card had a crisp $20 bill and read " Anna, as you grow so will your vocabulary, enjoy. Here's some money for you to get a proper pen." Anna's mother knew just what to do. " I'll take you downtown this weekend and you can pick out a pen" Mother remarked. So that Saturday they drove downtown to a office and stationary store. Anna was intrigued, "A stationary store what is that?" she thought.

They parked the car in a parking ramp and proceeded down the sidewalk. Her mother opened the door of the store and Anna walked in and instantly fell in love! The smell of newly milled paper filled her nose and her eyes were overwhelmed by display after display of pristine products all for the intended use of the written word. Even the lighting seemed angelic and pure as it showcased each display. Her mother led her to a display case of the most beautiful writing instruments. A helpful store clerk asked if he could be of assistance. "So many options" Anna exclaimed. Anna was in bliss as she tried each pen writing in cursive which her Mother had taught her. The pens danced effortlessly across the paper as an Olympic skater on ice. "Very nice penmanship" The clerk commented. The weight of the pen in her hand felt like quality and the aesthetics were of fine craftsmanship. Anna finally narrowed it down to a high quality roller tip of medium weight, she held onto it the entire car ride home.

At 13, Anna entered a writing contest suggested by her Mother. She chose to enter a story about her cat Petey. She combined her favorite Petey antics into one short and funny adventure. To her amazement she won 1st place in her age group and $200 prize. Anna was later approached to turn the story into a children’s book. Mother had to sign the contract but many months later a package came in the mail. It was her book "The Adventures of Petey the Cat", Story by Anna Wilson, illustrated by Jack Knutson. Anna didn't think the the pictures looked like her cat Petey much, but to see her words printed on the pages was so exciting. Her new found success motivated her to keep writing every day.

At school, the girls were busy with cell phones and boys. The days were filled with teenage drama and a roller coaster of emotions. More and more Anna retreated to her notebook, writing ideas for future stories. In the written word, Anna found clarity of thought and a sense of timelessness. Hours could go by as she created her stories and was always surprised when she lifted her head to look at the time. Anna realized, this is what she loved.

Over the next 5 years Anna would enter many contests. She won several, came in second and third even more, and never placed even more. She knew that’s just the way life was but she kept trying with success as her goal. Each year she received the usual black notebook from Grandpa, but some years she needed 2 or 3 more. Mother would take her downtown to her favorite store. Anna could spend hours checking out all the fancy papers and pens but would just leave with her simple Moleskine lined notebook, the kind that Grandpa always bought.“ Don’t tell Grandpa” Anna teased her Mother as the clerk put a blue covered notebook in the bag.

At 18 Anna was ready for college. She was accepted at the local state college and asked her mother about her savings account. With her contest winnings, book revenue and interest the sum came to just a little over $20,000 her mother reported. "Wow!" said Anna as she did a small victory dance in the kitchen. She ended up buying a quality used car from Mrs. Palmer 2 blocks down so she could travel to school and the rest went toward classes.

Life got very busy for Anna. School work, a part time job and she met a nice boy named Paul. They had met in writing class, he was interested in writing movie scripts, she had her heart set on novels. Anna still found time to write, well sometimes. There were summer nights hanging with friends, late night pizza parlors and going to movies with Paul to occupy her time. Her friends would tease her as she would whip out her little black book and make a quick note. "There goes Anna, reporting on us again" they would say. She always tried to explain there was an idea that needed to be caught but her friends jokingly accused her of being an undercover agent.

Anna was now 22, she had graduated college with honors and busy working at a large publishing company. It was an entry level position, proofreading others work but she was in the industry she loved. She still carried her little black book in her purse. On lunch hour Anna would sit in the plaza outside her office building eating a simple sandwich and writing down thoughts and the elusive good idea. One day while enjoying some sunshine on her lunch break a small sparrow landed on her black book as she read. At first it startled her but then it amused her. The bird just looked at her cocked it's tiny head and flew off. When she returned to her desk there was a message from her mother. Grandpa had died. At first she was heart broken, what is expected of all living things finally had come to past. She remembered all the his love and all the lessons he tried to instill in her. Anna felt a calm come over her, it was going to be o.k.. Grandpa had lived a complete life full of adventure and hardships, love and loss, and was always the rock in the storm for so many.

A months later Anna received 2 dusty shoe boxes from her grandmother with a note. "Grandpa would of wanted you to have these". She was hesitant to open them, they sat on her kitchen table for 3 days until she finally mustered up the strength to look. Inside was all his little black books, 47 of them. some in rough condition battered by weather from years past. A big smile came across her face. " Oh Grandpa" she murmured as a tear rolled down her cheek.

She picked one book from the batch and started to read. A few pages in, a beautiful love story emerged about a when Grandpa and Grandma met. In the middle of war, surrounded by life and death there was a story of love that bloomed and carried two young people to a higher place. She read through the night unable to stop. when morning came she was so tired but so inspired. She dragged herself to work but was determined to compose Grandpas words into an epic novel for people to know his story.

At 24, Anna's life went into high gear. Paul and her were married , she finally got a book deal and 6 month later they found out they were expecting. Life couldn't get any more busier she thought, but it was all good. Anna's novel was published and to her surprise, the first residual check was $20,000 dollars. That was even before it made it to the best sellers list. Her Grandparents love story really touched a nerve in readers and they wanted more. Between Grandpa's and Anna's black books, she never was going to run out of inspiration.

At 30, Anna Wilson had become a well respected author with 3 best sellers and followed by a loyal fan base. She was happily married to Paul, her loving husband. They had purchased a beautiful home together in a quiet neighborhood. But writing had fallen down the list of things Anna loved.

As she laid next to her sleeping 5 year old daughter, Anna admired the perfection and beauty of her little girl as she slept. She was Anna's greatest joy and accomplishment. Anna thought of the day she would bring her daughter to the stationary store and try to pass on the wisdom Grandpa had instilled in her. But one thing she realized, there was one thing she disagreed with Grandpa. For in all of his wisdom, he really did not understand girls that much. Her daughter, would and could have whatever color of notebook she wanted.

The End