grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

On That Night

By 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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Comments

  4. Colene says

    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

  6. pittypatter says

    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

  8. TimH says

    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

  10. Anonymous says

    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

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

    Reply

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