Another message from Mercati

Hi,
Thank you for sending me the character sketch of Anya. Lizzie found things I didn't know were there, how Bridget brings out the leader in her, and how she loves Clara as her own.
Since Anya is a thinly disguised version of myself, I agree with all the actress wrote - I do get impatient and angry with people far quicker than I should, if they won't take a stand for what they believe. Some of the words in the script directed at Anya have been directed at me, especially when I was a young girl, like Anya, and passionate about Civil Rights, women's rights, etc.
Why do you have to make the trouble? Cause the scene?
What could I answer? I was born that way.
I like what she said about Joe as well, that she senses something different in him.
I loved my father very much and miss him, and he, too, was passionate about his beliefs, although as an Italian father, it was hard for him to see any future for me but as wife and mother. He did send me to college, but it was only to find a man with a degree to marry.
I am first generation on both sides, my mother is Russian, my father, as I said, Italian. So I identified with the girls and their immigrant experience. I grew up in Chicago - only in a place like that, full of immigrant neighborhoods, could a Russian girl marry an Italian boy!
I am sharing your journey with TO SEE THE STARS with my script writer's group. We are all so impressed with your students' devotion and interest in the show.
Thanks for much for doing this and keeping me informed and sending things on to Dramatic.
I keep saying Rosaries for you - although now that baseball season has started, I'm saying them for the White Sox as well.
The Chicago Cubs are of course, the cuddly losers everyone loves.
The South Side White Sox are gritty, the working man's team, and I have loved them since I was 10.
And, like Anya, I can't keep my mouth shut about the team. I always felt the White Sox needed me to stick up for them, since the Cubs had a radio station, and a TV station devoted to them, and the Chicago Tribune newspaper was owned by the same man who owned the Cubs. The Sox always came in second, they are the true underdogs, and so, naturally, I was drawn to them. Now, however, President Obama has declared himself a White Sox fan, so they're getting more attention.
Blessings, peace, light and energy to you and your wonderful cast.
Cindy