Tag: Love

Birth Without Violence

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Birth Without Violence by Frederick Leboyer 1974, 2002

Originally written and translated in the 1970s, Birth Without Violence was a revolutionary book in its time advocating for gentler births.  With a beautiful mix of poetry and photographs, Leboyer opens the reader’s eyes to Baby’s experience during birth.  He speaks of the importance of dimmed lights, quiet voices, gentle handling, and soothing baths for this brand-new-to-the-world being.  While the circumstances of birth are sometimes beyond our control, Leboyer makes a beautiful case for doing our best to ensure a proper welcome for Baby.  “What more can be said?  Only one more thing.  Try.”

 

”Speak… the language of love…to a newborn!
Why, yes, of course!
How else do lovers communicate?
They don’t say anything, they simply touch.”
Part 3, 2

“If there is such a thing as a sanctified place, surely
it is the room the child is about to enter.”
Part 3,6

Matchmaking for Beginners

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Matchmaking for Beginners (2018) by Maddie Dawson

It is so rare that I read a book for adults.  This is probably because A) I use reading as an escape, so I don’t want to hear about adult difficulties, and B) There are SO many adult novels out there, that I usually have no idea where to begin to find a book I’ll like.

After a few suggestions of 2018 releases, and a couple ones that just weren’t for me at this time, I finally fell into Matchmaking for Beginners.  And while it does cover “adult” topics like failed marriage, death, infidelity, and tragedy, I still managed to zip right through it.

Elderly Blix Holliday is a bit of an eccentric and the “oddball” of her extended family.  She meets the young Marnie, her grandnephew’s fiancé at a family gathering and immediately connects with her.  While Marnie is a bit unsure of herself at the time, both women find out they can sense people’s energies and use it to find good love matches for other people.  Not so great at love matches for herself, however, Marnie’s doomed marriage ends during the honeymoon.  She sets about trying to piece her life back together in her childhood home.  Meanwhile, Blix is dying but hasn’t mentioned it to her family.  When Blix unexpectedly leaves her Brooklyn home to Marnie, instead of family, everyone is surprised.  Marnie has no intention of staying in the home, of course, but during her time in Brooklyn she becomes involved in the lives of those around her, finding herself in a role of helping others find love, including herself.

While I wouldn’t say that matchmaking is the central theme of this novel, despite what the title says, I found myself glued to the story and unable to stop myself from starting new chapters way past bedtime.  A very enjoyable read, even if it is a book for grown-ups.  =D

Speaking Peace

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These days especially, I, like so many, am hoping for a world of more peace and less hate.  The more “information” I read, the more daunting this task feels.  And, as cliche and idealistic as it sounds, the only way to more peace, really, is to begin with me–having more peaceful interactions with others during my day, more peaceful interactions with my family, and, most importantly, being more peaceful in my own heart and mind.  So, why does something so seemingly simplistic feel so darn tough?

I was listening to the radio this evening while doing the dishes and a song came on that just wasn’t for me.  And while I didn’t speak these words out loud, the first thing that came to my mind was, “I hate this song.”  I stopped myself.  Really?  Hate?  Someone expressing themselves artistically through music, and a fairly tame song at that, and I’m using the word “hate?”  And then I thought about just how often that ugly word runs through my head during a typical day…  “Ugh, I hate how this person is acting.”  or when something feels tough or unpleasant, “I really hate this.”  and on and on.  Even typing and reading the word makes my chest feel tighter and my mood feel heavier.  How often do I use the word “love” during the day?  Ahh, love.  How differently I feel just thinking that beautiful word.

So, my small goal in making peace in the world is to start by watching my language.  Even the language in my head.  Maybe it will take some time for me to create peace in my heart and mind or be the peaceful parent and partner I’d like to be, but maybe, just maybe, I can begin by simply dropping that one not-so-very-nice word from my vocabulary, whether spoken or in my head.  Maybe I can focus on using the word “love” more and more in my day and let that be the beginning of more peace in my tiny corner of this great and wonderful world.

The Invisible String

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The Invisible String words by Patrice Karst, illustrations by Geoff Stevenson (2000)

One stormy night, two kids are frightened, but their mom reassures them by teaching them about the invisible string that connects all of those who love each other.

We first found this book after the passing of a loved one to try to explain to our young daughter how people can always live on in our hearts.  Although one page does deal with this specific topic, most of it talks about how the invisible string connects people when we are in different locations or doing different activities.  There is also an explanation about how the string will always be there, despite any hurt or angry feelings.

This is a sweet book that would be good to read anytime, but it is probably especially helpful during a transition, like starting school or moving away from friends or missing a long-distance relative after a visit.  I’m looking forward to reading more by Ms. Karst.