A novel about baseball, love, faith, and complicated situations. There were aspects of the story I enjoyed, but I struggled to get into it and the ending confused me.
Although our beliefs aren't aligned, I enjoyed this vulnerable book about the grieving and growing process Rapp experienced when she learned her infant son had a fatal, debilitating disease and would not live long. It's a candid look at her attitude toward life, death, physical disabilities (not only did her son have them, but so does she), and parenting.
p. 13, The task of parenting seemed to have evolved from "do your best to keep your baby alive," which was the primary parenting goal even into the nineteenth century, to the challenge presented to modern parents to "make sure your kid is prepped from the outset with the tools (here they are, and here are the studies that prove the worth of these expensive strollers, special bottles, organic cotton clothes, well-known tutors, popular programs, et cetera) that will lead to acceptance into the best preschool, the best grade school, high school, college, which will in turn lead to the best partner, resume, job, bank account, life". The demand for these Olympic efforts presumes an implicit - and erroneous - belief that any parent can fully control a child's destiny.
p. 28, It would be nice, however, to move through the world without people assuming that when you are disabled, the devastation is constant, total, consuming and ever present. It isn't. But if you fall too far outside culture's ridiculously restrictive assumptions about what a "good" body look like and does, people believe that one quick glance is enough to pass judgment on your quality of life, your prospects, perhaps even your state of mind and your basic goodness. I've been both pitied and admired because I wear an artificial leg, and it's sometimes difficult to decide which is worse.
p. 71, When did having a good life mean living one that other people envied?
p. 100, Grief, I realized, is watery and trembling and always exists beneath the surface of real life; just a gentle touch and it's spilling everywhere.
p. 233, They were human beings. To be valuable they didn't need to have so-called potential, whatever that means.
p. 245, (quoting her teacher, Frank) "Remember that there's a whole person behind whatever physical affect presents itself."
p. 246, It is a unique and terrible privilege to witness the entire arc of a life, to see it through from its inception to its end. But it is also an opportunity to love without a net, without the future, without the past, but right now.
p. 248, We are outwardly defensive, and because we resist compassion we are actually weaker. A broken heart is an open heart, and there exists great strength in a shaky vulnerability.
Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round, written by Myquillyn Smith
If you value the simplicity of having a home that's not filled with things, want an inviting environment, and don't want to buy or store a bunch of seasonal decor, this book is filled with simple suggestions to consider. Smith walks you through each season of the year, which means general principles are repeated and specific ideas are abundant. Although she's talking about homes, her focus is on relationships and simplicity, which I appreciate.
p. 16, Entertaining is about the host, but hospitality is about the guest.
p. 20, Hospitality is a high form of trust. It says, Here's my mess, here are my unfinished things, and here's the truth about me. Knowing you better is worth risking your knowing me better.
p. 36, We don't have to rely on store-bought seasonal decor to create a home that feels like fall, because the best and easiest way to welcome the seasons in our home is the same way we experience the seasons in our everyday lives - through our five senses. When we allow our homes to reflect the season in the same ways that nature is modeling for us, it doesn't take much to create an impact.
p. 55, With every seasonal gathering, we'll focus on what I call the hosting trinity - creating a mood, serving food, and, of course, the entire reason we are doing this, which is welcoming people.
p. 102, I want our guests to feel relaxed, at ease, and welcomed into a safe and slow place where imperfections are not a surprise, where people are more important than stuff, and where there's room and time for everyone to be heard.
p. 150, You can trust in the people-easing power of imperfections. You can give yourself grace and plan for and allow your life and home to be seen for what they really are: a beautiful mess. Sharing some of your everyday imperfectness is the main ingredient needed to connect with people.
Woodburn, written by Beverlee Jory Koutny
I recently asked in a community Facebook group who the woman was that a local school is named after. One of the responders mentioned this book, which is a photographic history of our community. The collection of captioned pictures is filled with information about the different cultures here, historic buildings, and influential people.
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