Little Sister’s Thanksgiving Musings

I’m pleased to announce that Little Sister, a Family Memoir is available on Amazon and in select stores in Bismarck. To celebrate its publication, I recently spent some time in St. Paul with my nieces. One of them made the delicious Little Sister shortbread cookies shown on this page. It was such a thoughtful gift, I may have to get a book cookie cutter and learn to make them.

Little Sister is filled with personal stories that my siblings told about growing up in the 1930s and 40s, and also the stories I remember from the 1950s. Many of the tales were shared around my parents’ kitchen table over cups of Folgers. Not all of the stories are happy. Our family was faced with a series of crises when I was young. Writing gave me new perspective on our lives back then. All of the stories are set in an era that is gone.

Since my six siblings and their spouses have all passed on, their stories are being lost. But now, at least some of them will be preserved. I’m so grateful to the early readers who have given me feedback. They’ve said they can relate to the stories, that they laughed and sometimes shed a few tears while reading the book.

I’ve been working on Little Sister for the last couple years, but it’s been on my heart much longer than that. In fact, I found a notebook from the 1970s declaring that I would write the family’s story. I expected to do that fifty years ago, but life got in the way. More recently I used a childhood diary, begged information from my nieces and nephews, and perused historical documents to lay down the best story I could.

And then there were the photos. After sifting through hundreds of old photos, I wanted to include each one. In the end, a mere sixty are in the book. Little Sister is my memoir and the Larson family history set in our hometown of LaMoure, N.D. But it is also about living in the Heartland, and could be anyone’s story.

Please consider giving Little Sister as a gift to someone who might relate to growing up in the 1950s, in the Midwest, or who was the youngest in their family. To purchase copies go to: Little Sister: Schuck, Gayle Larson: 9781737257127: Amazon.com: Books. You can also contact me for signed copies.

Writing Update 

These are the events on my calendar:

• Nov. 10, Capital Christian Church in Bismarck, I’m speaking at the 50 Plus Thanksgiving potluck in the afternoon
• Nov. 19, Touchmark Vendor Show in Bismarck, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• November 30, 7^th Annual Stop n Shop Holiday Vendor Show, Bismarck Amvets
• December 14, Bismarck Public Library/ Five local authors present their recent books

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving doesn’t get much press these days. Wedged between Halloween candy and Christmas festivities, it’s become “Friendsgiving Day” or “Turkey Day.”

Let’s do what we can to preserve the original intent of this national holiday that is dedicated to thanking God for his favor and blessing on our nation. Here’s a sample prayer for your thanks-giving gathering:

God, we thank you for the blessing and joy of family. Thank you for those who are gathered with us today and those who are far away. May we all see the many ways you provide for us, comfort us and protect us. Thank you for the beauty that surrounds us and the bounty of food before us. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

“Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 136:26 NKJ