Sometimes a man can get all the yin and yang of life in one day.

A few weekends ago, my glorious daughters hosted a gathering at Moon Beans Café on St. Francois Street, in the heart of Old Town Florissant, to celebrate the publication of my novel and hold a book signing. What they almost did was put my dear dad into a panic when, trying to surprise me, they asked Jill to order some books from the publisher. When I casually checked her message center one night before bed, I saw a giant order. Of course, she had made no such request and I wondered who in her right mind would steal my credit card number and then order my books. The Joanster woke Mom from a deep sleep to explain the whole clandestine business. A book signing? So this was real? Did you need a haircut? Better have some good thoughts. What if no one shows up? How many copies should we get? Needless to say, sleep was not easy that night. I had no idea what to expect from this but I ordered a box of books and hoped for the best. And the best is exactly what we have.

All the grandchildren were there to give good old Paw Paw their moral support. Fortunately, the sun was strong and the sky was as blue as a robin’s egg, so they had most of the ground. The event started slowly, but for the next three hours we had a full house. Family and friends, family friends, two couples we hadn’t seen in at least 20 years, teachers from my school, even a boy who came for his mother.

“She is an avid reader of your column and asked me to buy her a book,” he said.

Mrs. Fischer, I hope you are enjoying the story.

To say that he was grateful would be a huge understatement. Rather deeply humiliated. The setting was lovely, the food tasty, the weather perfect, but most of all, the love was palpable.

I looked up once, watching young man meet old man, relative meeting friend, and literally got a lump in my throat that wouldn’t go down. And believe it or not, we sold out! Accept orders for another dozen copies! Success beyond my wildest expectations, for sure.

And now for the yang.

One of ours, a nephew, is a Marine lance corporal who had just finished intense training for overseas service. He was home that same day for a short visit. He would soon set sail for the dangerous mountainous region of a foreign land. That night we gather to honor his commitment, to wish him well. To pray home.

The sweetness of that afternoon blended with the bittersweet of the night. Pride in success, but even more pride in one who is about to do his duty to the country.

And all in one day.

(ST. LOUIS SUBURBAN MAGAZINES, MO APRIL 2009)