Thought this is an appropriate time to share the following excerpt from Cliodhna’s Wave:
“After experiencing the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia and Boston, Erie always seemed strangely quiet to Cliodhna when she visited, especially when Erie was blanketed with snow. It was late, three a.m., when Cliodhna drove through the silent deserted streets to her parents’ home but she knew they would be awake waiting for her. She knew, too, her mother would have some special sweet treat prepared for her when she arrived along with a freshly brewed pot of coffee. In their conversation leading up to her visit, Cliodhna mentioned several times how much she missed Gloria’s apple crisp so hoped her hint had been taken. A nice warm dish of apple crisp with whipped cream on top and a cup of coffee would definitely hit the spot. ‘Wonderful Mom,’ she thought, ‘always doing things to please everyone,’ and licked her lips in anticipation almost being able to taste the apple crisp. She pictured her mother in her soft sea-green robe and matching scuffies sipping a cup of coffee sitting by the front window waiting. Her father would be in his chair with the paper or a book in his lap, dozing or watching television.
Her parents’ home was warm and welcoming with the porch light shining through the snow and the Christmas lights twinkling cheerily. The interior glowed from the warm incandescent lights and electric candelabras in the windows. Pat and Gloria opened the door before Cliodhna got out of her car, an unrestrained full smile on their faces. Pat walked down to help Cliodhna with her bags. Cliodhna and her father greeted each other with reciprocated kisses and bear hugs.”