Do You See Me? This post, just wow. My friend Amanda writes powerfully about all that we don’t tend to document, about how the ugly and the broken are inextricably twined around the beautiful and the beloved, and about the sorrow and gratitude that fill her life right now. I can’t stop thinking about it.
I just read Gilead by Marilynne Robinson for the third time. This puts the book in very rare company (I’m not much of a re-reader, especially thrice). But: wow. I don’t have words powerful enough to describe this graceful, grave, astonishing book, but I know that it feels like reading an extended prayer, a glorious meditation on and evocation of the experience of life itself.
What I Gained by the Loss. This remembrance of a high school English teacher, by Sarah Courchesne, gave me goosebumps. In part because she met her mentor at the same school where I met mine (in fact she refers to Mr. Valhouli’s death in the first paragraph). But even more because she evokes the life-changing power of a student-teacher relationship, and the ways in which the conversation between the two can continue, change, and echo through the seasons of a life.
I don’t like strong scents, but I love this candle, which I’m burning every moment that I am at home.
As usual at this time of year (and at others!) I have Christmas carols on repeat. Mostly I’m listening to a CD of my favorites that has become the soundtrack of this month (I list the songs on it here).
What are you reading, thinking about, listening to, and loving right now?
I write these Things I Love posts approximately monthly. The past ones are all archived here.
Love these posts, Lindsey! Thanks for pointing to Amanda – I’m adding her to my reader. 🙂
Thank for the links. Amanda’s post … I needed it.
Love these lists. I’ll have to check out Gilead. I’m reading The Book Thief right now. I admit it: I picked it up only because I saw the movie trailer, which moved me in some way, and wanted to read it before seeing it. I’m thinking about turning 40, which is just 3.5 weeks away. Lots of reflection going on there. And Instagram–loving it. Joined a few weeks ago and can see where it will become my new addiction.
What a wonderful post to accompany this incomparably beautiful winter day. I treasure your voice, whether in a quote that interrupts the noise on twitter, or your sweeping posts of reverence about children and life, it creates a light that reaches my darkest places.
Thank you for your friendship and this wonderful post. Off to buy the books you mentioned. xo
I’ve never read Gilead, but I will check it out! I am currently reading The Goldfinch, and though it is a painful story, it is beautifully written and I’m so engrossed in the story.
Love these posts. Amanda’s post was great. Will be clicking on the other links. (I’ve never read Gilead. Ashamed!)