Saturday, September 19, 2009

a gift from the sea


I’m finding it difficult lately to keep up – beyond the housecleaning and laundry and dishes, beyond trips to the grocery store and target and cvs . I am finding it hard to keep up with life. close friends we only see every month or two, family we squeeze in less than once a week, and then there’s technology. there are shows I want to watch, blogs I’ve tried to catch up on for days now, emails to write, books to read, a bible to understand, a journal to write it, stories to create. and now I’m exhausted just thinking about it - about all I not only have to do, but want to do.

a {friend} recently recommended a book to me. a classic.

A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

I googled it. The cover jogged a long-lost piece of my memory. when I worked at Anthropologie many moons ago, we sold this book. I remember merchandising it one summer, amidst sand and shells. I never bought it.

So on Wednesday night I payed my friend Emily a visit at borders where she worked and bought it.

We only got to chat for a second because I had milk and produce in the trunk of my car and she was being summoned by her boss. they were out of the soft cover so she gave me a coupon to buy the hard cover version, making the price comparable.

That night I began to read. and fifty or so years after she wrote the words, they cut deep.

I am still in the process of reading this short treasure of a book but when I’m finished, I’m sure I’ll have excerpts to share and further thoughts on simplicity.

So until then, I weigh the needs with the wants and try to find a balance between the business and the still.

words and silence

doubt and faith.


All of life is a mingling of contradictions. a truth I am coming to cherish.

takes the pressure off sometimes.

2 comments:

marisa said...

Gift from the Sea is one of my top five books (which is saying A LOT!) It's my favorite gift to give for bridal showers. Her words on marriage, family and finding simplicity are so relevant and inspiring. Thanks for bringing it to mind again... want to go find my copy and re-read. :D

jess said...

i'm almost done, and i must say - it just might make my top five too!

 
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