This is a line from the book "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" by Kate DiCamillo. Emma is doing a project right now based on this book. This line has been the theme of my thoughts the last few hours. Two weekends ago when Emma was injured Brent took a new member of the Blind Stokers Club out on her second tandem ride. This particular person who wishes to remain anonymous and who we'll call Jackie is deaf, blind in her right eye and legally blind in her left. She was in a serious accident awhile back that forced her into disability and a fixed income. She shared with Brent during the course of their time together that money is so tight she can't afford a pumpkin to carve.
For some, maybe a lot of us, pumpkins and carving them out seems so trivial. Sure it's tradition and sure it's a great time seeing that pumpkin come to life but imagine walking past a grocery store seeing those pumpkins on display and knowing you can't afford the expense to continue a favored tradition.
Saturday we bought our pumpkin but I think the thought had been really weighing heavy on Brent's mind for some time that Jacki wouldn't have a pumpkin this year. Yesterday he asked our family to drive across town to her place, pick her up, buy some groceries, and a pumpkin!
Over and over in my mind I keep seeing this woman who I had known for only minutes picking out pumpkins with a huge giddy smile. As we left her house I felt an overwhelming feeling to lean in and hug my sister, but not just the pat pat on the back, a full on wrap my arms around you and let you know how much a I care hug. Last night as we were wrapping up for bed I got a notice in my inbox from Jacki explaining that she never smiles for anyone and that her smiles get saved for special people and special times.
At the end of Edward Tulane (don't worry this isn't a spoiler if you haven't read the book) he (a porcelain rabbit) is sitting on a shelf feeling like he would rather never open his heart to another person in fear of being tossed aside and hurt again. A sweet old doll gives him this line about love then tells him, "You might as well leap from this shelf right now and let yourself shatter into a million pieces." basically telling him to open his heart or end his existence.
Words will never be able to describe the joy I've felt all night and now all day. A stranger one moment and a friend the next. If loving someone or allowing myself to be loved by someone is like this joy, I'd rather put my heart out there on my sleeve and allow the feelings to come into my life than shut away any feelings that might someday get hurt.
1 comment:
That is so awesome! You guys are amazing! Thank you for sharing.
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