In the days and weeks that have passed since the death of my sister, Lucy Bender, one of the ways I’ve honored her is by joining her middle son, Mike, in getting her book, The Outside World, into print again. We rejoiced together when he received the first copy this week. Herald Press, a Mennonite publishing company, graciously released us from their copyright so we were free to publish with another company who specializes in this. (The new version is paperback, although eventually it will also be available online as a hardback. See timeline below.)
Lucy’s book was originally published in 1969. Technically, the book is fiction. Nevertheless, it is largely autobiographical telling the story of my sister’s experiences as a Mennonite teenager attending a high school in “the outside world.” (At least one incident mentioned in the book was borrowed from one of our sisters.) Lucy calls herself “Ruth Ann,” (actually the name of our sister Ruth Anne with an e), and each of her little sisters are also given different names. I am Donna, the youngest of the “girlies.”
My sister was a writer from as far back as I can remember, filling copious sheets with words written by her favorite green fountain pen, Druscilla. Her stories were published in various Mennonite periodicals, copies of which we found after her death. I don’t know how she found time to write with her three adventurous boys who were eight, six, and five when her book was published. I suspect the drive to exercise the writing gene, passed down on both sides of our family, gave her little choice.
I didn’t fully appreciate Lucy’s gift until I read The Outside World again a year or two ago—perhaps to our grandson, Connor. Now that I’ve spent many years writing and publishing in magazines, periodicals, and more recently books, I have a new appreciation for how well she wrote. As far as I know, she never took writing courses or had any kind of training in writing after high school, but her writing is excellent.
Perhaps the biggest advantage for me in helping Mike with this project was having a closer connection with him than we’ve had in years. It was a labor of love for both of us that brought us a great deal of satisfaction. The goal was to have the new books finished and available in time for the memorial service that will be held for Lucy and Mark on Saturday, October 13. The book order was shipped on Wednesday from Oregon, so unless something unforeseen happens, that goal should be met. Please check out the information below as to when The Outside World will be available through various channels.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
(I Peter 4:10)
Would you join me in thanking God for the gifts and abilities Lucy used to bring honor and glory to Jesus, and would you make yourself available to use your gifts and abilities for His glory?
*Information from WIPF and Stock Publishers on 9/27/18
The Outside World is ACTIVE and will be available via:
