Dear Reader Column 09-18-07

Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

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*Correction...the email address for Blaize Clement, yesterday's guest columnist was incorrect. I goofed. My apologies to you if you tried to reach Blaize and were frustrated. You can reach her at: Blaize@Blaizeclement.com and if you missed her guest column yesterday and the chance to win a copy of her book, go to: http://tinyurl.com/34xw6h

Except for this goof, I'm having a wonderful time on vacation. Talk to you soon.--Suzanne Beecher
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Dear Reader,

Hundreds of people entered the Write a Dear Reader contest and today's column is written by one of the winners, Pam Hooper.

It was perfect timing when I phoned Pam to tell her she was one of the winners, "Monday's my birthday!" She was so excited!

Pam's been reading at the book clubs for two-and-a-half years, but this was the first time she entered the contest. Pam said she journals every day, mostly about her kids, or things that happened during her day--and how they made her feel. She's mainly a Science Fiction reader, so I guess it's not surprising that her column is all about "What if?"

Thanks for entering the contest Pam. You wrote a great column. It's an honor to know I'm reading with you every day.--Suzanne Beecher

Dear Reader,

What if?

I am the queen of what ifs. I do it constantly and I am an expert at it. What if I lose my job? What if the car breaks down? What if my kids get hurt? What if I plan that great vacation and then cannot come up with the money?

For years I have dreaded the what ifs. They haunt me late at night. I have tried everything I can think of to make them go away. I have tried to be positive and reassure myself that things will turn out alright [they almost always do after all]. I have tried plugging my ears and saying 'lalalalal' to try to drown them out the way my kids do when they don't want to hear each other. Every trick I have tried so far has failed.

Today a friend of mine who has known me for years offered me a few what ifs. 'What if everything goes perfectly? What if you get a raise? What if you find what you are looking for?'

For the first time I am excited by my what ifs! I am eager to try it out for myself now. What if I win a vacation? What if my kids bring home straight A's? Or better yet, what if I win this contest and get to have a Dear Reader column for Suzanne?!?

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. What if...

Pam Hooper

READ THE CLASSICS: The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/25vbsy

Comments

[Uzma Khadim]

Congragulations Pam! and Thankyou for writing this column. I will try your solution :).