Hi, folks, I'm continuing my soul inspiration series. I'm spending the month chatting about what moves me in books. This week I'm going try and wrap my mind around the comfort of words. I find such comfort in books, and I thought I'd write about what that means to me. Many authors have managed to "lighten the load" in my life with their stories. When I find consolation and solace on the printed page, I feel so blessed, like I have been allowed into a sacrosanct place. Ah, the power of words.
Here are few moments of comfort that stand out in my childhood memories. I will never forget as a young teen reading By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Mary has gone blind and Laura decides to "see" the world for her, describing everything. I felt the struck chord within, that in midst of great suffering, glorious gifts for others are being born. I remember saying to myself, I will see too, and share what I see with blind. I cannot say how comforting that moment was.
In Lloyd Alexander's Taran the Wanderer, Taran seeks to be a potter and studies with the master. After much effort he realizes that he does not have the gift to be great potter, but understands the gift of striving to achieve something is just precious. The warm cloak wrapped around me. I have felt comforted since I was girl because Taran failed and yet found the gift of the journey.
And one more, who can't be comforted by Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. The whole book speaks to me still today. When Charolotte tells Wilbur she helped him because she was trying to lift up her own life a trifle, it felt like balm. When Wilbur learns that Charlotte spent her short life to give him the opportunity to live, I was so comforted that every living thing's life, short or long, is an opportunity to do good in the world, to make a difference.
The power of the written word to comfort has always stunned me. It continues to stun me. There are no words for the gratefulness I feel to be a small part of the world of writers.
My hope is that you think about about infusing your stories with some comfort. Add good reports. Add grace. Add good things. Your readers will hold these gifts in their heart for their whole life. I know I do. Seize the day.
This week's doodle is called "Cloudy sky."
This week's quote for you pocket: We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. Maya Angelou
10 comments:
Hi Molly! I appreciated your kind assistance on FB tonight. :) I adored Charlotte's and Wilber's relationship in Charlotte's Web. Everything about her was comforting. E.B. White did an amazing job at creating such a wonderful character with Charlotte. His unique ability to spin her as a maternal, loving character, a spider! was superb.
Hi Candi! You are welcome. :) And yes to the Charlotte and Wilber's relationship! “It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.”
Love this post. My favorite books are like good friends, always available. Some authors I turn to again and again are Madeleine L'Engle, Katherine Paterson, Lloyd C. Douglas, AJ Cronin and Thomas Hardy. And since embracing Christ, I cannot believe the treasury in the Bible. IT is my consolation, the God of all comfort.
Wonderful post! I think all of LIW's books had comforting moments. :)
I love this blog so much, Molly! And I've finished my first read on a very excellent sci-fi manuscript. It's excellent not only for its humor and social commentary, but because it has heart. And I love, love, love the clone boy!
Hi Ann, Yes, I totally agree about LIW just being a wellspring of comfort. I could name a few scenes from every book, I just picked the one that was most profound to me.
Vijaya, I can't cover every author I love. It's impossible. I'm sticking to children's authors though I love many, many, many other authors. I love the Bible too, and the God of all comfort revealed in the words.
Hi, Katherine, At least someone has read it. I feel like I've really achieved something with it, but very few readers so far. I hope that it breaks out and finds a place. Humor, social commentary and heart -- yep, that was totaly goal.
beautiful post as always, Molly. now I want to read Lloyd Alexander's Taran the Wanderer! I'm on Maui today but leaving tomorrow. Even here I read your blog. And so fun to hear that Katherine read and loved your sci-fi book. xxxoo
Janet
You must read Taran the Wanderer! It is part of a series.
Fun fact. I learned how to throw pots on a wheel because of that book, just in case I ever need to make some dishes.
Oh, I love Hawaii! I want to go back some day so much. I am enjoying a massive thunderstorm here tonight. The sky is on fire.
What a beautiful post! And a wonderful reminder of the care we should take with our words and the power that is possible for them to hold.
Hi, Ruth, thanks for dropping by the blog! I am always in awe of the power of words.
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