Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Just For Show

I remember when a family (who will remain unnamed) finished a 2 million dollar remodel which included a huge library, then proceeded to call a respected teacher to ask where they could go to find old leather bound books so their library would look authentic, somehow missing the point that if they weren't using their own books the library was already not authentic. Okay, so I admit, I love the look of leather bound books and if I had my own library I imagine I would probably purchase some used books just for effect. You probably get where this metaphor is leading, but here goes, anyway...When all is said and done I hope that enough of me is genuine, worn from life's road. That I am genuine, like "The Velveteen Rabbit" That I am real. Because every now and then it occurs to me as I'm embellishing a particular story, that doesn't need embellishing cause it's really good on its own, that parts of me are for "show".

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

When traveling, if I feel a bit lost, I drop into a bookstore. As I love reading and bookstores and libraries in homes, it is obvious why I love you! Keep writing, as I do love reading.

angie said...

my problem isn't adding elements to stories - its eliminating them - as if though taking time to say it the way it really happened wasn't good enough - but it is good enough - just as is.

Anonymous said...

I have always believed that it is an authors right to convey the story, no matter how it honestly happened, so that the listeners gain the effect it had on you. Jess calls this being a liar

Anonymous said...

i used to love reading I think when I was young I could read or be read too for eternity - now I hate reading I barely can listen to Ann reading scriptures. I think studying for thirteen some odd years has killed my passion. Fortunately I can still listen to Harry Potter when Ann reads to me.

Anonymous said...

I have to admit i do brag that i have a library in my room and when i was young i would sing and dance with my "wolf-dog" aka Jimmy, and pretend i was belle. I absolutely love love love books even if they're just for decoration

For now said...

Mom I am so crazy about you- I love the metaphor. You don't ever need to add any "leather bond books to your library", to your stories, to your life. Your are the best you. Out there watering your plants. Swinging and singing with your grandbabies, nurturing and lifting your children. You need no embelishing. No leather. Just the authentic used books that have been read, re-read, written in all our lives.