Each Life Is Book-Worthy; It’s Just The Way It Is Written
My best friend, Misty, came to visit this week. The hour before she had to leave, my husband watched the girls so we could take a walk around our land. We put our hats and coats on in the breezeway, and Misty crouched, looking at a sepia-toned photograph collage, which depicted our trip to the United Kingdom six springs ago.
“Look at us!” she said, tracing a finger over our smiling faces. “We were so pretty!”
Laughing, I shoved her arm. “Don’t say it like that!” But I crouched, too, and could see what she meant: we were young in a way not quantified by years. We were young and carefree, sitting in the bottom of a punt on a slow brown river in Cambridge.
“It’s that roaming look,” she said. “That’s what we had.”
We stood and walked outside. The trees were bare, the sky an undisturbed gray. We paused before our creek and then followed the path I’ve made by walking the same trail for the past seven months.
“Each life is book-worthy,” I declared. “It’s just the way it’s written.”
There have been moments, over the past six years, that would never make it into a novel: sleepless nights tending fussy babies, a silly fight with my husband because he chopped down a few trees in our woods without discussing it with me first, housebound days when my extroverted self is so excited to see another adult that I about paw my husband like a dog before he even gets in the door.
But amid the monotony is where the magic happens.
After Misty left, I read a portion of my old journals. I both smiled and winced while pouring over the story of my life. Only twelve years have passed since I was eighteen, and yet I have already forgotten the angst surrounding so much uncertainty.
But there, nearly hidden in the paragraphs expounding upon the “Great Questions,” I discovered a nugget of gold that was oddly prophetic:
“I love to travel and drink in the beauty of the culture and the people who inhabit that culture. I love to embark on journeys where the destination remains unknown, but could I do that forever? I also want to stir a savory sauce and chop herbs and bake and garden and wear overalls while blooming as my garden blooms. I want my husband to take my swollen belly in his hands and kiss it and weep with the sheer joy that we are together, and that together, we have created this miracle, this beauty, which would surpass our own. I want him to love me. I want to provide for each other, offering protection and support when this world rages. I want him to nurture our little family and lead us in a way I know he is capable of.”
And this, twelve years later, is exactly what I’m doing: I cook and bake and garden, wearing overalls because they don’t pinch my pregnant belly as it “blooms.” My husband loves me, as I love him, and we have stood together, offering protection and support as this world rages.
The revelation that I am living the life I had imagined brought tears of gratitude to my eyes. Yes, each life is book-worthy; it’s all in the way it is written.
How is your life book-worthy? Please take a moment to share!
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MS Barb
Thank you for sharing this! Touched my heart!
jolina
Thank you, Ms. Barb!
Rebekah
“Each life is book-worthy. It’s all in the way it’s written.”
I’m gonna make you a meme with that! Somebody can start a Pinterest board of Petersheim quotes if they haven’t already.
So glad for you to get some Misty time! That’s got to be one of those marathon friendships like Andy Griffith and Don Knotts. Go! Go! Go!
jolina
Ha! Yep. “Best friends” since we were 2 and 5, though we didn’t know it at the time.
Nann
“Each life is book-worthy; it’s all in the way it is written.”
… I “collect” quotes — write them down in a small notebook, whenever & where ever I find one that vibrates deeply within me. I’ll go back, on days that need an extra little something, to re-read and get that “hummm” going again. Your Life Book quote will be today’s treasure. Thank you, Jolina, for giving me another reason to sigh peacefully and smile. You are a gem!
jolina
Thank you, Nann! Always a joy to see you here. My best friend and I used to keep a “Happy Book” of inspirational quotes and events. I need to start that again.
Linda Finn
I really believe this is so true and that we can learn from each other !
For me it is learning how to write that book … I started a few years ago
never finished and yet I have a few books in my head, just what to
write first is the question !!!
Awesome Thoughts my friend !
Love and Blessings
Linda Marie Finn
jolina
Thank you, Linda! So excited for you to write that book. I think we all have one tucked inside of us.
Emily (Sturgill) Morrell
This is lovely, friend! It feels sweet to know you are enjoying the lovely state of Tennessee again, I hope you are enjoying your fresh start. I’m sure you’re enjoying this unlikely February weather as well! I hope we can connect in person one of these days.
Know that I always enjoy your writing on your blog or your books. Lately you inspire me the most (like in this post) to appreciate the little parts of life and to remember that even these tough toddler years are full of little moments that we will never regain for the rest of eternity. Savoring them can be a challenge and you encourage me to do so! Though they may be tough, the honest truth is that once we gain the label of “mommy” then we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Blessings to your sweet family!
jolina
Thank you, Emily! What an encouragement this is to me. I sure would love if our paths crossed in person one day. Much love to you and your precious family!