Love's Long Line

<div><br> <br> Sophfronia Scott turns an unflinching eye on her life to deliver a poignant collection of essays ruminating on faith, motherhood, race, and the search for meaningful connection in an increasingly disconnected world.<br> In <i>Love's Long Line,</i> Scott contemplates what her son taught her about grief after the shootings at his school, Sandy Hook Elementary; how a walk with Lena Horne became a remembrance of love for Scott's illiterate and difficult steelworker father; the unexpected heartache of being a substitute school bus driver; and the satisfying fantasy of paying off a mortgage. Scott's road is also a spiritual journey ignited by an exploration of her first name, the wonder of her physical being, and coming to understand why her soul must dance like <i>Saturday Night Fever</i>'s Tony Manero.<br>  <br> Inspired by Annie Dillard's observation in <i>Holy the Firm </i>that we all "reel out love's long line alone . . . like a live wire loosed in space to longing and grief everlasting," Scott's essays acknowledge the loneliness, longing, and grief exacted by a fearless engagement with the everyday world. But she shows that by holding the line, there is an abundance of joy and forgiveness and grace to be had as well.</div>