"You may begin." -David Almond

Pretty sure this quote from The Tightrope Walkers by David Almond is my favorite of my 2015 reading.  It's a big statement because I read some great books this year.  Crossover by Kwame Alexander, The Light of the World by Elizabeth Alexander, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and Boys in the Boat by David James Brown, just to name a few.  Yet, I always come back to this little nugget.

What's my favorite part of this quote?  Probably the beginning with some of the best advice (Work hard, work hopefully) for just about any situation.  But I can't ignore those last three words, "You may begin" are so simple and compelling.  Not to mention the middle and the reference to the idea that we are simultaneously connected to the past and the future.  Wow, this is just a doozy of a quote.  As a teacher, I love it.  As a parent, I love it.  As a godmother, I love it.  As a neighbor, as a citizen, as a church-goer, I love it.  And, I must share it with you. Go on, read the book.  Yet, even if you don't, remember the power of giving someone or even yourself, the permission to be part of something much bigger than yourselves.

Keep reading, all.
-amybethstensonkujawski

Micro-blogging...my first attempt. Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

It's time to make the move back to blogging.  That said, four months after adding a third child to the family probably  isn't the best time to make any new moves, but it's MICRO-blogging (or should I say, micro-blogging) so I think it should all work out.

So here's my objective: keep reading and keep blogging and connect both my reading and my blogging to my larger purpose of taking good care of people.  We'll see how it goes.  Here's my first shot at it:

Read this essential book recently.  Being Mortal by Atul Gawande  It's essential because it's about us and the scariest things we all face: aging, watching our loved ones age, dying, and watching our loved ones die.  It's sobering, it's upsetting, and it's real.  Dr. Gawande, a surgeon, is trust-worthy and credible.  He shares the science of medicine as clearly as he describes art of taking care of one another.  He shows us the research behind how knowing what you are afraid of and what you value can add happier, healthier days, weeks, months and years to your life.  

It seems to me we must spend more time reflecting on what are we really afraid of and what are we really moved by much earlier than when we are faced with our mortality.  If reflecting on these questions and answers can give us healthier, happier days at the end of our lives, aren't they more likely to give us more healthier, happier lives as we move along through our years?

So, if questions like "What is your understanding of the situation and its potential outcomes?" and "What are your fears and what are your hopes?" are good ones when faced with serious sickness or injury, I'd suggest they are as important day-to-day.  Let us ask ourselves and those near to us these questions often enough so that we get in touch with our answers and the vulnerability it takes to answer them honestly.  That's my wish for this first micro-blog about what I've been reading and how it connects to my larger work in this moment.

I really can't say enough about this book.  I wish it was essential reading for all.  Keep reading, all. 

-absk