Tonight I went to the Hyatt Hotel to hear Amor Towles, author of one of my favorite books—A Gentleman in Moscow—speak at the Mercantile Library’s Niehoff Lecture.

The Niehoff is the annual fundraising event. Tuxedos and bow ties, sparkles and sheer graced the glittering ballroom.

The woman seated next to me at the round table for ten, striking in her gray silk suit, exchanged getting-to-know-you basics with me, in my garnet velour cocktail dress.

The “What brought you to _____________” question took a while for both of us. Then she said, “So now you’re here, living the life you want.”

“Yes,” I said. The word came out easily.

It’s easy to talk when I’m not pretending, especially when I’m not pretending to myself.

Chewing the Cud of Good

Thankful.

Just thankful.