Magical Things Happen When You Read a Good Book

Will you read this book with me, Mom?

“Autumn leaves don’t fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.” — Delia Owens

On our flight back from London this summer, my daughter finished a book I’ve wanted to read for quite some time.

She purchased the book on my Kindle, so I could feel the pressure to read it when she was done.

It’s been a few years since I’ve read a fiction book.

And, why? I always say I don’t have the time. Last year I read around 30 memoirs. And, this year I am reading constantly on Medium so I do have the time.

This book was placed into my life at the right moment.

I needed to take another little breather from Medium, and by breather I mean, not reading 40 stories, maybe cut it down to 15.

I feel crazy even saying that, but it’s hard to make my mind operate in a non-addictive fashion.

I needed to let my mind wander into a story without thinking of a response.

And, the best reason of all to read this book, is because my daughter wanted to watch the movie with me in the theatre before she leaves.

Where the Crawdads Sing

When a book hooks you from the first few pages, you know you are in for a good time. I immersed myself and I spent many days curled up on the couch reading.

My feelings for the main character in the book continued to tear me apart as she went through different struggles. I wanted to help her and save her.

I imagined that she was mine and at times I imagined I was her.

Because I am dropping my 18-year-old daughter off next weekend 3000 miles away, I am struggling and I’m finding myself fighting tears over the smallest things.

Bonding over a book, that we both fell in love with, has been a small, yet a special moment that I will treasure and think about when she is gone.

Seeing her face light up when she was done with the book and was passing it on to me was indescribable. I am going to miss seeing that face every day. Great, here I go crying again.

I knew the book was going to touch me by the look on her face.

I was right. It was hard to put the book down. I laughed, cried, felt pain and sorrow, and little bits of joy.

When my Kindle hit 100%, I closed my eyes for a moment to take it all in. Then, I rushed to my daughter's room to tell her that I had our movie tickets.

We squealed in excitement.

In an hour, we are off to the movies. I know the movie won’t be as good as the book, because it never is, but our time together will be. I wanted to write this in two parts but in the same story.

Stay tuned…

Last night was delightful. My husband and younger daughter decided to tag along as well, even though they didn’t read the book.

We are all soaking up our last 12 days with our girl, but not like we are counting or anything.

We arrived late enough to miss some of the previews because we needed to get our movie-watching supplies. With mouths full of buttery popcorn and peach rings, we relaxed and enjoyed the show.

My daughter and I looked at each other countless times in agreeance, not speaking but knowing how each other felt during pivotal moments in the movie.

This is the best kind of movie partner. One that doesn’t have to speak, you just know how the other is feeling.

With about 10 minutes left, the tears began to flow, just like they did for me in the book. Of course, they left things out because they always do, but I thought the movie was a good depiction.

This touching story with a few twists and turns had us both sniffling and wiping until the movie was over. I even looked over at my husband and younger daughter, and they were crying, too!

Score!

We all looked at each other, half giggling and half laughing, wiping away our tears, and at that moment, I could feel our warm family bond.

The bond that cannot be broken even if there will be miles in between us.

Next weekend, my daughter and I will be making the 3000-mile trek to the east coast of the United States and my heart is feeling heavier by the second.

No one told me how hard this part of parenting would be. I will never understand how someone could abandon their child, like in the movie and from personal experience with my own mother.

I am having a hard enough time letting my child take flight with her strong wings, ones that I helped strengthen over the years.

This simple activity of reading a book together and watching the movie will be forever etched in my brain.

I might watch the movie again when she is gone if I can handle it.

Also, once again, sobriety has helped me become a better parent. Without it, I wouldn’t have savored this special moment.

I’ve browsed and enjoyed Reciprocal for the past few days and Jan Sebastian sums up this awesome publication in her latest story:

I felt a break was calling and began doubting myself a little but reading this book was good for the soul. I have been the queen of starting something and not following through but I am determined to not let that happen with my writing. Mary Louisa Cappelli, MFA, JD, PhD article really struck a chord with me and made me realize that I don’t always have to feel the best at everything I do. I am having fun while writing and that’s all that matters!

I liked Ravyne Hawke’s approach and am trying to adopt a slower pace, so I can avoid burnout. For months, I was writing, publishing, reading, and commenting daily but have decided that I don’t need to publish every single day. I need to step back and take my time crafting what I am going to write.

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Thanks for reading!

Much love, Michele