“Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.”
~~William James
Hi all,

So last year I started posting questionnaires filled out for various Dyeland characters.  In JABB 413, Andrew, Adam, and Arthur answered.  Monica, JenniAnn, and Violeta followed in JABB 414.  And then I forgot about it!  So now I'm bringing it back since it's something easy to do as I continue to write.  Enjoy and if you have a particular character you'd like to see weigh in, please let me know.

God bless,
Jenni
Vincent

1.  What is your family history?

I thank God that I can now answer this with confidence.  I was born to Cora Marie Cleary some months after my father, Lorcan Cleary, was killed.  Unfortunately, I was seperated from my mother but, happily, adopted by Dr. Jacob Wells who I know as Father.  His other son, Devin, is my brother though I consider everyone in theTunnels to be family.  My lovely wife, Catherine, and I have two sons: Jamey and Jacob.  Then there's Psyche, my goddaughter, who, along with Andrew, made us grandparents to our sweet Annabelle.  She was later joined by Liam, Aiyla, and Omar who we also adore.  We're looking forward to welcoming another grandchild soon.
 
2.  Where are you originally from?

I was conceived in Ireland but born right here in New York City.
 
3.  Describe a few of your favorite outfits.

My dress doesn't alter much.  I suppose I most prefer my jeans, beige sweater, and patchwork black cloak.
 
4.  Do you have any particular mannerisms you adopt during certain moods?

I pace when anxious.  I don't do this as much as I used to but, yes, sometimes still.
 
5.  Why did you come to Dyeland?

Allison and Robert asked me to keep an eye on Psyche who herself invited me so I could meet Andrew.  I feel very blessed to have a place to go where I can walk freely in the sun.
 
6.  What are some of your deepest fears?

Losing a loved one.  I used to fear losing control of myself but have moved past that.
 
7.  What are your dreams?

To be a loving father, grandfather, son, and husband to my family.  To be a good and fair leader to the Tunnel community in time, doing all I can to keep Father's dream alive.
 
8.  What are your hobbies?

Reading, journaling, exploring the Tunnels and Dyeland, spending time with my loved ones. 
 
9.  What would an ideal day be like for you?

Waking up beside Catherine and enjoying a few quiet moments together, sharing breakfast with my whole family, engaging my students during lessons, playing chess with Father, watching my grandchildren and son play outside in Dyeland, having dinner with the family, and then curling up with Catherine and a good book at day's end then thanking God for the wondrous day.
 
10.  Do you have any regrets?

Many.  But Joshua has taught me not to dwell on them.
 
11.  If you were to be completely honest, what would you say you are most proud of yourself for?

Finally allowing Catherine into my life.
 
12.  And what would you say you are least proud of?

Keeping Catherine at arm's length for so long.  I have done other things of which I'm not proud but I had sound reasons.  With Catherine, I had only selfish ones.

13.  What do you think/know is the biggest misunderstanding people might have about you?

I think those close to me know me quite well.  Those who do not think me fierce and frightening.  I never wish to be either.
 
14.  What’s something you would most like to improve about yourself?

I can still be something of a worrier.  I'm working on it.
 
15.  What are some of your prized possessions?

The stag statue that Joshua made along with a matching pendant that Catherine gave me many years before.  Drawings from all the little ones I've taught and loved.  My mother's rosary and her drawing of Jamey.  My books. 
 
16.  What’s your best memory thus far of life in/associated with Dyeland?

Annabelle's baptism, I think.  Joshua and his family were there and I knew it was also a very special day for my Psyche and her Andrew. 
 
17.  And the worst?

The time when Andrew was missing in Afghanistan.  Psyche was so distraught.

18.  Favorite food?

I love comfort food.  Chicken pot pie, shepherd's pie, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese... hearty things like that.  And, of course, lovingly decorated sweets from my grandchildren.
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Max

1.  What is your family history?

I think I'd prefer to start with when Dad and Maja invited me into their family.  Now I have two wonderful sisters, Shelby and Violeta, and a super-cute niece... my Bellaluna.  Rose and I look forward to welcoming children into this incredible, loving family.
 
2.  Where are you originally from?

New Jersey. 
 
3.  Describe a few of your favorite outfits.

I suppose my jeans and any one of my many Harry Potter T-shirts.  With my shark's tooth necklace.
 
4.  Do you have any particular mannerisms you adopt during certain moods?

I get a little brooding sometimes.  Rose can usually yank me out of it pretty quickly. 
 
5.  Why did you come to Dyeland?

My bride-to-be and my Maja drove me through a brick wall without giving me much choice.  :-)
 
6.  What are some of your deepest fears?

It used to be that I'd turn out like my birth father.  I'm getting over that, slowly but surely.
 
7.  What are your dreams?

Simple: marry my Rose and have some kids!  I'd also like to help wounded warriors.
 
8.  What are your hobbies?

Harry Potter!  Also reading comic books, singing, dancing, watching movies, going exploring with Rose, spending time with my family.

 9.  What would an ideal day be like for you?

I'd be married to Rose.  We'd have breakfast together, with our kids, then drop them off Below for classes.  Rose would teach there and I'd head to my psychiatry practice.  I'd do everything I could for my patients then meet Rose and the kids back at the portal and we'd go to Dad's and Maja's for dinner then relax back at home with a book or movie.
 
10.  Do you have any regrets?

I think we all have little things that we regret (not studying more before a test, saying something we shouldn't have, etc.) but I can't say I have any big, memorable ones.    
 
11.  If you were to be completely honest, what would you say you are most proud of yourself for?

Allowing myself to love and be loved after getting burned. 
 
12.  And what would you say you are least proud of?

I was pretty out of control at times after Maja was shot... 

13.  What do you think/know is the biggest misunderstanding people might have about you?

I'm not sure.  I feel pretty understood!
 
14.  What’s something you would most like to improve about yourself?

I'd just like to keep learning and growing.  And go from single to married on my IRS forms.  :-)
 
15.  What are some of your prized possessions?

Joshua's owl statues that he made for Rose and me.  My shark's tooth necklace.  My bookmark from mini-Maja.  My Harry Potter books.  My Christmas tree from Dad and Maja.  It's still alive! 
 
16.  What’s your best memory thus far of life in/associated with Dyeland?

Being so welcomed by everyone... and proposing to Rose with everyone's help!
 
17.  And the worst?

Maja being shot and Dad having to go to Sheol.

18.  Favorite food?

Butterbeer as a drink, definitely.  Especially when Dad makes it.  And Maja's mac and cheese.  I love all the extra stuff she puts in it.  Much better than from the box!  And banana splits shared with Rose.
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Rose

1.  What is your family history?

After bouncing around among family members, my great-aunt Josephine got custody of me and I've been with her in Dyeland ever since.  This has definitely been my happiest home!
 
2.  Where are you originally from?

Chicago maybe?  To be honest, I'm not sure where my parents were when I was born.  They moved around a lot...
 
3.  Describe a few of your favorite outfits.

I love wearing skirts with my Harry Potter T-shirts.  I think my favorite pairing is my gold skirt with my Gryffindor crest shirt.
 
4.  Do you have any particular mannerisms you adopt during certain moods?

I giggle when nervous.  It's pretty childish and I wish I could stop!
 
5.  Why did you come to Dyeland?

It's where Aunt Josephine lives.  I'm so thankful to be here!
 
6.  What are some of your deepest fears?

I don't get scared very often, thankfully.  Last summer I was worried about losing Max, though.  He was so upset... but I'm stubborn so I think I yanked him out of it pretty quickly!
 
7.  What are your dreams?

Marrying Max, teaching Literature Below, and having kids!  Maybe traveling more, too.
 
8.  What are your hobbies?

Reading, watching movies, and being in the musicals at St. G's!
 
9.  What would an ideal day be like for you?

Starting the day with scones and butterbeer at Max's and my eventual house then teaching Below.  Meeting up with friends and family at some point, maybe having dinner together.  Then enjoying a romantic stroll/boat ride back home with Max.  And eventually adding kids into this mix.
 
10.  Do you have any regrets?

Hmm...  I don't really think so actually.  Nothing big, anyway.  Sometimes I regret drinking too much tea or coffee.  Not sure who I got that from...  ;-)
 
11.  If you were to be completely honest, what would you say you are most proud of yourself for?

Going back to school, I think.  It took me a while and it's kind of weird being a few years older than most of my classmates.  But I'm enjoying it!
 
12.  And what would you say you are least proud of?

I suppose that would be not being more persistent when Andrew would sometimes get so quiet.  I think we kind of left that to JenniAnn and maybe that wasn't fair.

13.  What do you think/know is the biggest misunderstanding people might have about you?

I suppose people who just met me might think I'm kind of... surface-y.  It just takes me a little while to warm up to people.  Maybe because of my tumultuous childhood.
 
14.  What’s something you would most like to improve about yourself?

I definitely want to learn more mothering skills.  I know that sounds really retro but since I didn't have a mom growing up, I'm not sure I know even some basic stuff.  So JenniAnn, Isra, and Kemara can expect lots of calls and questions!
 
15.  What are some of your prized possessions?

The owls from Joshua, my engagement ring (!), my Harry Potter books, and a stuffed owl that was one of the first gifts Max ever got me.  And Theo!  But it's hard to think of him as a possession.  I think he thinks I'm his servant.  :-)
 
16.  What’s your best memory thus far of life in/associated with Dyeland?

Meeting Max...  Well, technically that happened at Cora's.  So I guess his first days in Dyeland.  And getting proposed to with Joshua there!
 
17.  And the worst?

When Andrew was in Sheol was really hard but I think Afghanistan was more difficult because we had no idea when or how that would end.

18.  Favorite food?

Pretty much anything sweet!


This newsletter is dedicated to John Dye for playing Andrew who introduced me to the yumminess that is orange juice and ginger ale.  With the temperatures rising, I've been going for that a bit more often than even my beloved chai.  Cheers!

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