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On That Night

December 24, 2012 By Talya Tate Boerner 23 Comments

Before reading, click here for the first part of the story—> You Send Me
my real life Nancy Drew mystery!
Last summer when I happened upon Long Ago Antiques in Fayetteville, I purchased an old, musty book—On That Night by Elizabeth Yates. I was drawn to it by the well-loved cover and Christmas subject matter. Setting the book aside, I decided to save it for Christmas reading. 
My next trip into the same antique store, I bought the Nancy Drew book that led me to my prior blog post, You Send Me. Based on notations inside The Ghost of Blackwood Hall, it was owned in 1959 by May “Babe” Brightwell when she was a teenager living in Maryland. I wondered what became of her, and decided I would try to contact her after the holidays.

I placed the book on my bookcase. It stared at me each time I walked through my bedroom. Yes.I.Was.Putting.It.Off. But, what if I couldn’t locate her? What if there wasn’t more to this story? 

Sometimes the idea of something is better than reality…

Friday night I received two emails from Brightwell family members who discovered my blog post completely by accident. May Brightwell is alive and well, still living in Maryland. She was thrilled to read my blog and see the pictures of her handwriting.

I was as thrilled as she. 

Would she like her book back? 
Yes, she would LOVE her book back! 

Additional emails revealed Ms. Brightwell has always had a love for books and reading and for Nancy Drew in particular. She has no recollection of how she parted ways with this book, nor any idea how it came to be located in Arkansas. (part 3 of the story?)
For a few months, I was merely a caretaker of The Ghost of Blackwell Hall. I considered writing my name and address inside the book underneath hers before returning it, but this didn’t seem appropriate.

my real life Nancy Drew mystery

On Saturday, my neighborhood post office was crammed, packed with harried people mailing last minute Christmas cards and gifts. The parking lot was filled to capacity. Mailing this book was my priority for the day, more important than holiday baking or present wrapping. And, I was surprised to learn she would receive her book on Christmas Eve. Perfect!

Last night I began reading On That Night, my other antique store treasure. I studied the inside flap, then flipped the book over to see the back cover which revealed the following…

“Among the many legends that have to do with Christmas Eve, there is one that says on that night, lost things are found again.”

On That Night

Indeed!

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

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Filed Under: Life Tagged With: Christmas, Fayetteville, Nancy Drew

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Comments

  1. Debroh Glaze says

    December 24, 2012 at 5:11 am

    That was magical in itself. What a special Christmas gift! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Lauralew says

    December 24, 2012 at 5:16 am

    Amazing. How wonderful that you could do this–and that you would do this. Blessings!!

    Reply
  3. deborah says

    December 24, 2012 at 5:38 am

    Talya, your writing so touches me. What an unexpected Christmas gift for our family to be connected with you.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 24, 2012 at 5:41 am

      Awwww thank you:)) Life is so interesting. And to think we walked by those Nancy Drew books toward the door and I almost missed them!

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      December 24, 2012 at 5:54 am

      Thank you so much Talya! You have made our Christmas so much brighter with your gracious gift! I know the book will be the center of attention at our family gathering tomorrow!
      Keith

      Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 24, 2012 at 1:53 pm

      I hope it arrives on time:))

      Reply
  4. Colene says

    December 24, 2012 at 9:02 am

    What a wonderful treat for the Brightwell family and for all of us hearing this remarkable story of “lost and found”. Something tells me that you and May will meet one day!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 24, 2012 at 1:53 pm

      I hope so!

      Reply
  5. Mark says

    December 24, 2012 at 10:19 am

    Splendid, Talya! Merry Christmas to you all!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 24, 2012 at 1:52 pm

      Merry Christmas Mark and family:))

      Reply
  6. pittypatter says

    December 25, 2012 at 5:53 am

    Wow! What a story! What a great ggirl you are! What a good writer! I’m blessed to know you. Have a great Christmas today to go with yesterday and the day before and the day after. Love……….

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 25, 2012 at 6:34 am

      Thank you Pat! I’m so thankful to have met you and Dorothy at HP!!

      Reply
  7. Staci Sandquist says

    December 25, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    Such an interesting story. Can’t wait to hear Part 3…..

    Reply
  8. TimH says

    December 26, 2012 at 9:58 am

    Very cool!!! I’m sure this made Ms. Brightwell’s 2012 Christmas even brighter and more memorable for her and her family, as well as us, your readers. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  9. Jan says

    December 26, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    Just now catching up on the blog, been so busy with Mom.

    What an awesome gift…just to give back.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 26, 2012 at 6:27 pm

      Thank you! Awesome for me as well. Love to you and your mom:)

      Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    December 27, 2012 at 1:11 am

    Just NOW getting to read this and have CHILL BUMPS! What a beautiful Christmas gift to you both! Very touching and meaningful. Love You,
    Talya’s cuz…

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    January 22, 2013 at 4:18 pm

    Amazing….just amazing. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful story! You’re a pretty fantastic person Talya! Take care, Timmie Lynn

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      January 22, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      Thanks Timmie Lynn:)) Glad you are back to reading:))

      Reply
  12. Lisa Pobst says

    January 22, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    Oh my..gave me chills..what a (gift) for both of you..very special reading…so happy Timmie Lynn shared your blog…Happy New Year…Lisa

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      January 22, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      Thanks Lisa!

      Reply
  13. Amanda Coers says

    October 16, 2013 at 10:16 am

    What a wonderful story! 🙂 I can only imagine how thrilled she was to find this book again.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      October 16, 2013 at 10:18 am

      It really has been the highlight of my blogging career! If nothing else exciting happens it will have been worth it. We are now Facebook friends and I’m friends with her family too.

      Reply

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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