I am in a book club, one that at times I am not quite sure I belong in, but I'll save that thought for another day. This month I was to select our reading material. The only requirement was that it be non fiction. I tend to be a fiction reader myself. Life has enough reality in it for me and rarely have I ever put into practice the revelations I find in these books. However, there is one non fiction work that has meant a lot to me over the years, it is a book that was written more than 50 years ago. I believe that the average woman today would have to stretch a bit to find relevance in its writings. But, since I have never fit the average mold in any area of my life, no stretching was required on my part. The author not only wrote so many things that truly changed my perspective as a woman, wife and mother, but she did it in a beautifully poetic way. Each time I've read this book something different has stood out to me. As with all good literature, one can always find something that speaks to each season of life. I must say though I was surprised by what struck me this time, as I read. It was about how the natural gray of a woman's hair softens the lines on her face. For some reason I found this truly brilliant. In our attempt to capture eternal youth or deny the natural order of aging, we have more than embraced the the idea of hiding our gray. But, the richness of the unnatural, no matter how professionally done, brings out a garishness that only manages to heighten what we were trying to keep hidden. I am at the beginning of the 'softening' stage of my life and almost find a certain curiosity for what this time will bring. I don't think I want to hide or cover it. I would like to believe that I will embrace what is to come and walk through it with the God given grace that has been placed in me. We'll see how tonight's book discussion goes. It is quite an eclectic group and I am afraid that most will have struggled to find relevance in this work from another era. If I were to be truly honest, what I am really fearing is them struggling to find relevance with me. That sounds pretty droll, must be the melancholy music playing in the background on this late fall evening where winter is lurking in the distance. Next time I'll download some of that techno crap all the kids listen to these days. I can only imagine the kind of thoughts that will provoke.
Book Club Update: I am apparently irrelevant. I must console myself with the knowledge that I already knew this.
Well, I think they're missing out on a good thing. IMO, you're not irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteYou can't be irrelevant. If you were, then I woul be and we can't have that. I choose to believe we are so much more relevant that our superiority of being is too great for their meer little minds to see, much less comprehend.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the name of the book?
ReplyDeleteHey, is it ok to give you a suggestion?...now promise not to cry :), but could you use paragraphs now and then so I don't keep loosing my place in long sections? It would help a lot--I do have that white hair you know, so maybe that slows me down!...Oh, one more suggestion--you can get a widget or gadget put on your blog, where people can sign up to get an email every time you post. That would keep me from getting behind when I forget to look.
It was 'Gift From the Sea', did you ever get around to reading it? Thanks for the suggestions they are always welcome. I must admit since I am usually 'rambling' that the paragraphs get left behind. I will be more thoughful, from now on :) My friend Suzanne, who has a blog suggested that I do the email thing and told me to add a 'subscribe' button. I have one of those, is that what you mean or is there something else?
ReplyDeletei haven't had a chance to see if the village library has this one-maybe I can pass by today. I did look for the two newer ones you recommended at our bookstore, aka Wal-mart, but they weren't available- Reading is such the rage around these parts :)
ReplyDelete