Further Reflection

After finishing the Jodi Picoult book Nineteen Minutes,  I am reflecting on my own expectations for any book's ending.  I always want the books I read to somehow end "well".   With this one,  I was looking for a "good"  or "satisfactory" ending, whatever that might be.  I was looking for some kind of grace or redemption. {kindness, compassion, forgiveness, mercy}.   The "good" ending I found in this book was simply that the truth came out. Certainly it did not end "well" as most of the characters were forever changed, or in jail, or dead.   But as a reader of this fictitious event,  I was satisfied that what really happened came to light.
Keeping secrets can destroy a person, and in telling the truth, one of the main characters made it possible for her to someday be able to move on with her life.

It was a riveting and thought-provoking novel, dealing with painful social and psychological insight.  It was gut wrenching.

I am going to be more intentional about praying for my sixteen year old granddaughter, soon finishing tenth grade in her high school.  I certainly do not know whether or not she feels like she 'fits in' in school, or is an outsider.   I notice from her Facebook page status that she is in her first relationship.  I suppose I should be happy for her,  but mostly I find that terrifying.

Teenage-hood is hard to navigate in any era.  I know that my own had more than their own share of challenges and woes.    Lord help us!

Fantasy Job

I am past the point now of desiring or expecting any more 'jobs' in the ministry.  But it occurred to me recently, that there is a 'fantasy job' I would love to have.   I would love to write a daily or a weekly column or article for the newspaper.  Of course, newspapers are no longer the public's news source of choice, and are in a slump, so those jobs hardly exist at all any more .

I like to have a predictable pattern of my days.  I like to work at home.  I like to write.  What could be better? I'd have a pen name, of course, perhaps Sally.  My weekly article could be called Sally Says. I would espouse my views on an endless array of ideas. My column would be filled with wisdom, humor and keen observations about human life.

In the Ladies Lit Club, one has to give a twenty minute paper once a year.  The topic for next year was recently announced, and from that general assignment, everyone has to choose a book they will write about, using that topic.  In less than a week,  my ten page paper is already ready.  And it is not due until October!

In today's world, writers blog.  I am grateful for my few and faithful readers.  Since Sally Says is not likely to happen in this life,  thankfully, there is Being Sixty Plus!   It is my fantasy job without the pay and without the pressure.

How fortunate I am!

Nineteen Minutes

I am currently reading a novel by Jodi Picoult entitled Nineteen Minutes.  I have read at least three other novels she has written. She tends to write about very difficult subject matter.  Perhaps her best known is My Sister's Keeper.  The friend who loaned Nineteen Minutes to me did so with a warning, saying:  It helps if you don't have any teenagers.   With a daughter in her twenties, I'm not so far removed from the high school days that I am unaware of its cruelties.  I remember her trials and tribulations and was relieved when she made it safely to her college years.  There, at least, there are more options for friends than in a small town.

This novel is about a fictional school massacre, based on Columbine High School.  It is a very disturbing book.  It is not just the massacre that is disturbing,  but human nature in general as it is portrayed.  The boy who had been brutally bullied all his life had done the shooting, and of course ended up in jail.  The first time someone was brought to share his cell, someone he described as a 'special needs' kid,  the shooter grabbed that boy's glasses and crushed them,  just the way others had with him again and again.  Somehow,  I suppose, I had hoped that knowing how humiliating that was would have kept him from that behavior.  But sadly human nature does not often work that way.  The more degraded a person is,  the more likely that person is to inflict the same kind of pain on others.

I am about two thirds through the book, and cannot imagine how it could have a good or even satisfactory ending.  Reading it makes even me wonder how justice could be rendered in this case. The cruelties and shame inflicted on the poor unpopular kid should not go unpunished,  but that was what had always happened,  because to turn in the offenders only makes it worse for the one who is bullied.   None of this is to suggest that the perpetrators who were shot deserved to die.  Of course, they did not.

What is missing for me so far is grace.  So far there has not been any.  None for the shooter or his parents.  None for the student tormentors who lived.      That is what would make for a satisfactory ending to this book.  A bit of grace would go a long way.   It might come in the form of kindness, compassion, forgiveness, mercy.

I have read books before that ended without the slightest hint of grace, and hated them.   I have higher hopes for this book,  as I believe the writer does not have a completely dark and grim view of human nature.   I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Eat and Play

We enjoyed a delicious feast and family gathering today.  There were eleven of us.  Two were missing (V&M).    Once we get past thirteen,  it will be time for a new and different "dining arrangement" because the dining room cannot accommodate any more than that.  But we do have an open space beyond the kitchen where we can stretch out to handle probably up to sixteen or so seated.  But that would be down the road, when V&M have children.

I prepared several "easter hunts"-----egg hunts for the little ones outside,  and scavenger hunts for the older granddaughter and other adults inside.  I think they enjoyed following the clues to find the prizes.

Zanni

Cilla brought her significant other Rick today, our first time to meet him.  I do think he enjoyed himself, and we loved having him with us.  If I lined up my three sons-in-law and one significant other shoulder to shoulder, it would be striking how similar they are in height...probably all within half inch of each other, all possessing very dark hair (some with a bit of gray).

The worship service this morning was filled with outstanding music.  Both the choir and organist outdid themselves with the level of gloriousness.  It's hard not standing up and doing a cheer!  I have to contain myself.

I do love Easter!   He is risen, and because of that,  we know that life goes on.  There is more yet to come.   I  can only assume it involves family gatherings, reunions,  and an ever expanding table where we sing and feast,  and laugh and love together at the heavenly banquet.