It is a quiet and peaceful Sunday morning, my dears. When the world becomes too much, it can be very soothing to tuck myself away with a book, or snuggle myself onto the couch to watch a movie. I recently comforted myself with not just the book, but also the movie, Little Women. Everyone has to be familiar with this story on some minute level. It takes place during the Civil War, and it is about the "growing up" of four sisters with their mother while their father is away at war.
It had been quite a while since I had read the novel, and was surprised upon starting it to find that the language and plot imagery was not as "old fashioned" as compared to something per Charles Dickens, etc. Now that I am in my twenties, it reads with a classic simplicity. If you ever have the enjoyment of walking through parks or gardens, and have stopped to admire the simple and yet profound beauty of the nature around you, that is the best comparison I can come up with to reading this book. Except, instead of admiring the earth's nature, this story admires the growth and maturing process of girls that grow up into women.
There are so many truths in this story, every generation can understand them; truths about wealth, selfishness, making do with what you have, faith, love, family, friendships, hard work, pride, popularity, strength, and understanding.
One of my favorite parts is about Jo, the second oldest, and she is crying that she doesn't belong anywhere. What little girl, woman hasn't felt that at one point in our search of where we belong? I applaud Miss Alcott for having brought to light the basis issues of budding into adulthood in a much more formal time period.
It is such a comfort in this crazy busy world, to step into a book that the world is slower there so that you can stop and take a look around before the scene changes on you. We fly by the seat of our pants so many of the days out of the week, it's hard to slow down enough to catch our breathe and absorb everything. There is so much pressure to keep moving, to not stop, and if you do stop, only stop long enough to catch a breath before racing on.
I hope you can take a moment today and remember something you enjoyed as a kid, like playing at the park, swinging on a swing set, riding your bike, riding your skateboard, rollerblading, swimming, playing street basketball, baking cookies with your mom or sister, flying a kite, lying in the grass and watching clouds........... There is still that child in all of us. Little things like enjoying fresh air and water fountains can refresh a tired soul.
With care and sincerity,
Read Riding Hood
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