I am generally a mystery, thriller kind of book reader. Give me a murder mystery and I will hardly get anything done around the house until I am at the end. My kids always tease me because I have so many books on my "to read" list that it is insane. I think I am up to 60 just waiting to be read.
One of the books laying around was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I had heard a lot of great things about it but I just didn't ever feel like getting started. A couple of days ago I had finished my current mystery and was perusing my options when I decided to jump into The Help.
WOW! Why did it take me so long to read this book! Now, I am writing a little prematurely because I am only half done but I can barely put it down. It explores the issues of racial and class divisions in the South in the early 60's. What I find most interesting is that it is told from the perspective of several characters.
The help are the African American maids that work for the wealthy women in the deep South during a time of intensely difficult racial tensions. This book explores the inequity, biases and bigotry in such a way that it makes my heart literally hurt to read. The way men and women of color were treated seems so completely foreign to me now. What really amazes me is that this was less than 50 years ago!
The other characters are the women in Southern society. This was interesting and sad as well. The prevailing thought was that women did not need education or employment. The expectations were to marry well, serve on various community committees and allow The Help to raise their children, and perform all domestic duties. For those women who had other aspirations, their corner of the world was a very lonely place.
I would highly recommend this book. I don't know how it ends but I am enthralled. It makes me wonder what our little piece of the world will look like in 50 years...hmmmm.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Kids Keep You Young
On Saturday I had the opportunity to chaperone a middle school event taking place at the local amusement park. I am lucky because my 13 year old daughter still likes hanging out with me and asked me to share this day with her. Of course that meant also sharing it with a group of 6 other 13 year old girls. This being my youngest child, I am becoming vividly aware of how fleeting these moments actually become. Within another year or two, she will want to spend time with her friends and not include mom!
As I rode the bus to the park and listened to the giggling around me I thought, "What have I gotten myself into!" When we got there, I stopped the girls and gently outlined some guidelines so everyone could enjoy the day and not make me crazy! The first thing I asked was, "How many of you are riders?" Now, I know that some kids enjoy lots of activity and others are more nervous or relaxed. To my surprise they all seven raised their hands.
That was when my DD informed me that the kids signed up in groups based upon how much they enjoy rides, carnival games or other options. She informed me,"Mom, I told them you love to ride everything!" That statement was definitely true in my youth. My father loved roller coasters and that became a special connection between the two of us. When everyone else would bail, my father and I would jump in line again. In the last several years, I have been plagued with Vertigo and as a result have had much more difficulty riding as much as I would like. The girls were expecting me to ride so that no one had to go single.
That's when I made my decision. I would ride EVERYTHING! I thought of my father. Because of health issues, he is now limited in the rides he is able to do. The large thrill rides are no longer an option for him. I know he misses them. I wanted to drink in the full experience with these girls. These girls were relentless, often circling in line two and three times. I think the teacher had given me the little Energizer Bunnies!
So..I RODE EVERYTHING! Well...except for the spinning barrel. I just couldn't bring myself to do that one and it did not require a partner. Blessedly, I felt great all day. As I screamed and laughed and felt the wind whip through my hair I was so thankful to have this day with such wonderful kids!
As I rode the bus to the park and listened to the giggling around me I thought, "What have I gotten myself into!" When we got there, I stopped the girls and gently outlined some guidelines so everyone could enjoy the day and not make me crazy! The first thing I asked was, "How many of you are riders?" Now, I know that some kids enjoy lots of activity and others are more nervous or relaxed. To my surprise they all seven raised their hands.
That was when my DD informed me that the kids signed up in groups based upon how much they enjoy rides, carnival games or other options. She informed me,"Mom, I told them you love to ride everything!" That statement was definitely true in my youth. My father loved roller coasters and that became a special connection between the two of us. When everyone else would bail, my father and I would jump in line again. In the last several years, I have been plagued with Vertigo and as a result have had much more difficulty riding as much as I would like. The girls were expecting me to ride so that no one had to go single.
That's when I made my decision. I would ride EVERYTHING! I thought of my father. Because of health issues, he is now limited in the rides he is able to do. The large thrill rides are no longer an option for him. I know he misses them. I wanted to drink in the full experience with these girls. These girls were relentless, often circling in line two and three times. I think the teacher had given me the little Energizer Bunnies!
So..I RODE EVERYTHING! Well...except for the spinning barrel. I just couldn't bring myself to do that one and it did not require a partner. Blessedly, I felt great all day. As I screamed and laughed and felt the wind whip through my hair I was so thankful to have this day with such wonderful kids!
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