I've been a bit tearful over the last few days. I've been reading "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd, it's set in the 1960's in the deep south of America. It's a very poignant read and is filled with elegantly effortless prose. It makes me despair that I sully blogland with my crap.
It's very thought provoking especially around this time and I keep bursting into tears. I was trying to explain why to EBD as my children get overly anxious when I'm upset. I was trying to articulate how we shouldn't forget, just because America has come a long way, from Obama's fathers experiences to him becoming the first black president. I feel it's really important to remember how people have struggled and suffered and what a soul destroying insidious poison prejudice is.
I'm a white and Scottish and I cried at his speech, God only knows how I would feel if I was a black American. I encouraged her to watch it with me again on youtube. I was attempting to articulate my thought processes to EBD and as usual she brings me down to earth by laughing at me, I gently remind her that we all turn into our mothers and her parting shot...
" Christ, what a thing to look forward to, being forty odd in a fleece and crying at youtube"
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12 comments:
Partly it's an age thing, AG, and I am with you on that. The novel is a beautiful read, isn't it... We shouldn't ever become so immune to life that we are too afraid to cry with pure emotion, eh? x
Kids do have a way of bringing their own perspective. And it's usually right while we're trying to share *ours*! A tad annoying, that.
Hope you're having a lovely weekend. We have your weather, so maybe you're having sunshine?
Elegantly effortless prose - and you then depracate your own! That make me cry!
Obama makes such wonderful speeches. He certainly puts Bush in the shade. I find his speeches very moving, too.
My lads have mocked me for years, because I cry over the slightest sad thing on tv. It seems to be the thing to do, these days - mocking your mother. It didn't happen in my day. ;0)
Oh bless here eh? And am so pleased am not the only mum who wears a fleece!
That's a harsh put-down to a young girl...all her illusions and aspirations dashed in a few small words!
The film version of that book was out last year. I really enjoyed it but then I never read the book, which is a bit diffrent I've been told.
His speech was incredibly inspiring I thought. He brings hope, something we're in desperate need of. Not at all a silly thing to cry about.
A fleece is the only thing to be wearing whilst indulging in some Youtube! Totally with you on the Obama thing ( just finishing a post with reference to the great man in actual fact!). Bought his two books yesterday and so will be immersing myself in those when Other Half has finished the first one.
p.s. Its OK to cry at his speech - I cry at most things these days!
Awoni - I am definitely becoming more emotional as I get older and I loved that book, I actually wrote down some of the prose just so I'd remember it and fully appreciate it, that's def an age thing too !
Shirley - "annoying" well that's a nice term your mother wouldn't object to, I have another one altogether, myself
Tim - too, too kind and from a proper writer as well, but I am well aware of my shortcomings, but my blog is my voice and I'd be lost without it.
MM - I concur, mock your mother is a peculiarly modern invention and like many others, I feel, completely unnecessary
Mom/Mum - oh yes due to the fact that I had to sell 2 of the children and 1 of my kidneys to pay my last gas bill, I am practising what I preach, turned the thermostat down and when I'm cold I put on a jumper !
NB - I'll remember this when you're looking for sympathy with the boy, now get back to your midlife crisis, sorry, typo, motorbike
Lolly - I really should go to the pictures more, there are about 8 movies I want to see and no bugger wants to go with me, all together now, aawh poor poor auntiegwen
Lisa - he certainly does, hard task ahead for him though
That girl - I am a ferocious crier, and I'm looking forward to reading his books, they're my new book group reads.
I watched his speech live on a laptop in the kitchen whilst the little people watched Honey I Shrunk The Kids. He gave me goose bumps. So inspiring. Will search the book out sounds fab.
One of my favourite books when I was a teenager was I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and The Colour Purple by Alice Walker. I recommend them for your daughters...
Ohhh, I want to read that book. Obama's speech moved me as well, as well it should have.
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