Even though The Finer Things Club is no longer, I still love books, and I still love to write about them. Reason for the end of FTC is all the founding members are pretty much all over the globe! Even the ones who were initiated into Finer are no longer able to meet as we're all in different states or countries. Jen is in Washington, Rebekah is in Western VA on the border of Tennessee, Micah is in L-Burg, and I'm in Italy.
Anyway, while in Italy it seems I have a lot of down time. Instead of turning on the tube, I've decided to use my time more wisely and read. Reading, for me is a sense of freedom. I'm able to travel wherever and whenever to any time in history I want. I love to read. Now, I actually have the time to do it. At home I would always read before be, but by the time I'm ready here, people are getting off work & I have Skype dates!
I recently read a book from the shelves of the Airaldi's which probably belonged to an Au Pair before me since its in English. In stead of writing commentary for the book "Don't Tell Mummy" by Toni McGuire, I decided to write Ms. McGuire a letter instead. This book was truly inspiring and sad at the same time. Below is the letter I have written:
Dear Ms. Toni Maguire,
After reading your book “Don't Tell Mummy” I have to say that I was disturbed, disgusted, angry, sympathetic, sorry, and moved. Reading about the sexual abuse of six year old Antoinette made me angry beyond words. I wanted to pull her out of that house, into my home where she would have been loved and cared for. Even if it wasn't me who would have been able to rescue her, I wanted her to tell and scream it from the rooftops! I kept thinking in my head, “if only...if only she would've written her grandmother, told her what happened. If only her mother would have stood up for her, things would have been different.” Questions you have probably wrestled with yourself. Oh I was so angry! Another part of the story which boiled my blood was the way people acted and treated her once she outed her father. The town and your family member's actions and words were inexcusable. I know one day they will have to answer to God for their words and deeds, and I do not think He will be kind. I also wanted to punch the psychiatrists in the face who were asking her if she received pleaseure and liked her father's actions. Why are people so dense? I wish at that point you just would've gone crazy and told them all off. Ugh, I wanted that moment in the book so terribly bad!
Your book made me think. It made me think how I would have treated you throughout your whole ordeal. If I had been one of the people you had come to for love and help, or if I had been one of the girls at school. It honestly scared me, because I would hope that I would have been kind, and treated you with love, but at the same time, I know how I was in high school with people who had the rattier clothes, weren't popular or seemed different. Your story has truly inspired me and I hope that one day I will be able to help girls who have been in situations such as yourself.
You are a beautiful, beautiful lady. Stronger than most woman ever could've been. I wish so many things could have been different for you. But unfortunately the past can not be changed. Thank you for writing your story and sharing it with others. It has been an inspiration to me, and I'm sure to many others. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
~Allison Ruth
