I devoured The Book Thief by Zusak. Through the interweaving of words, history, and experience, I found my heart beating for those who have gone through war, prejudice, separation, and ethnic cleansing. It has opened my eyes to the injustice of both the past and present.
I appreciated the observations made through Death’s perspective. He points out how the tragedies in life are not the things that make life interesting, but rather it is the schemes, adventures, and perplexities that make life what it is (sorry I did not put the time forth to mark this quote and can no longer find the quote for this). Both in reading and day to day, I find myself chasing that which is full of drama, speed, or tragedy. Instead of getting caught up or moved by the climax of the story, I was reminded to cherish everything inbetween. (thanks Karri for the recommend)
You paint with words, I can see the path your words are traveling, I can feel it.
There are thoughts swirling in my head and they are somewhat parallel to what you have written, sort of. Like you, I want to get below the surface, to express real life, and not the shiny veneer that not only hides real life, but keeps people frustrated because they are being told they must be one with the veneer or they are less than perfectly human, and they know they can never achieve the goal. The pressure comes from advertising, movies, TV, peers who are desperate to cover themselves with the veneer, and their own feelings of failure.
Veneer succeeds because we have lost our history. Say what!?!?! Our society in the present lives as though we have always had huge stores crammed full of stuff we need to buy, and life will always be this way; as though technology will eventually solve our problems; as though church no longer is needed; as though Jesus Christ is some kind of good teacher who lived a long time ago so why does anyone even remember he was there?
I can’t finish this, it’s too big. My struggle right now is to get it all out of my head and on paper in condensed form. Jesus Christ is meant to be the center, purpose, and fulfillment of our lives, and because each generation, and immigrants, have not been drawn into the Church, humanism and pieces of all kinds of religions have taken over our nation.
Peter and Paul both said we are to obey and honor the government, and because our form of government is “by the people”, we are to be involved to….
Bedtime, and I’m really feeling it; being so tired I may not be saying just what I want, but it’s a beginning.
Good night