For a little more than a year I have been working on my book project – a history of the AIDS epidemic in Boston. I came across an interview in June with author Rebecca Makkai. Rebecca is a fiction writer who was about to release her third book, The Great Believers. The book focuses on Chicago in the mid 1980’s and Paris is 2015. There is a central theme that focuses on the AIDS crisis.

It is very clear through interviews and reading the book that Rebecca did a great deal of research. Much like my research she has interviewed many people since she found little existed about Chicago and the early days of the AIDS crisis.

I was fortunate to connect with Rebecca and share what I was working on. Not only was able to go to hear her read and speak about her book, but I was also able to meet up with her after and chat more about our similar experiences.

We have a lot in common – both straight, white married moms of two kids who live in big cities. Rebecca was a Montessori teacher before her writing career took off and I work in a Montessori school.

It was a great conversation, her book was incredible and I am looking forward to keeping in touch with her.

I’ve been called for jury duty several times. Three years ago I was on a case that lasted two days. This time was different – Superior Court. And a five day trial.

It was really interesting from beginning to end. The case was an assault case that was the result of a disagreement over a ride share misunderstanding. All total it was a short 10 minute encounter that changed many people’s lives.

The group dynamics of our jury were interesting- almost non-existant until deliberations. Watching the inner workings of the case and what we knew verses what we didn’t know that I looked up after the case was over was also very interesting.

The take away from the whole week – the world needs more kindness.