You're right - the story told by a changing face is fascinating. Recently I've been rooting through family photos after the death of my mother. The journey her face made from golden-haired 1920s toddler to craggy great-grandmother was illuminating. It tempted me to track my own....not recommended!!
This is the day I subscribed to your sparkling writing and I'm glad.
How I loved this particular post - not least because at 70 and with a 3 year old, very honest grandson, my face is becoming a record of my life and one he reads, over and over. I watch him examining my face with forensic determination.
My mother's face was well used too - and it all came down to laughter lines - dense furrows that proved she could climb out of the muddy depths, brush herself off and smile. Mum was beautiful, courageous and I adored her - the epitome of the 'beauty of a well-used face'.
Thanks for the reminder of how beautiful The Miraculous Journey is and how wonderful it is to read out loud. I absolutely loved reading it with my kids - and I couldn't read through the ending without my voice breaking, it's just such a wonderful full-circle ending. Just this weekend the book was sitting on my sister's coffee table and she told me she also had not been able to read it aloud with her kids without crying at the beautiful ending!
this is one of my favorites ever! i love what your mother said, and i absolutely adore both of those children's books, which i believe are also meant for adults.
My favorite children’s book is Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose, by Dr. Seuss. The generous Thidwick allows creatures ranging from bugs and birds to bobcats, turtles, a fox, and finally a bear to take up residence in his horns. He’s the moose who can’t say no. In the end he is able to shed the horns and begin life anew. This book is a tonic for people (adults as well as children) who have a tendency to take on too much.
I have too many children's books to recommend, but one must give a shout out to the honest plaint of a dad trying in vain to get his little one to sleep: Go the F*ck to Sleep.
Truly, though, this is one of the best blog posts you've ever written, Betsy. Honest and true and clear - poignant re the passage of time.
What a beautiful way to start my weekend. I've been looking at my own well-used face this week as I finally recovered from a kidney infection that started April first. It's interesting to me to see my face as a map of my life. As for reading, I recently read Sometimes You Have to Lie, a biography of the author Louise Fitzhugh. She wrote the Harriet the Spy series. I was inspired to write a play about Louise, and as research I am finally reading Harriet the Spy. I wish I had had this book to read when I was a kid. Harriet is bright, curious, independent, irreverent. As was her creator, Louise. Re Kate DiCamillo, I bought her book The Tale of Despereaux for my granddaughter when she was little and read it to her. I was her favorite book. Then I took my granddaughter to see Kate DiCamillo in person at the Old Church in downtown Portland and my granddaughter got to meet her. I'm going to buy the Edward Tulane book for my granddaughter who is now grown, but could use some bucking up.
This was an absolute joy to read. Every face is a celebration of life and a tribute to a storied existence.
You're right - the story told by a changing face is fascinating. Recently I've been rooting through family photos after the death of my mother. The journey her face made from golden-haired 1920s toddler to craggy great-grandmother was illuminating. It tempted me to track my own....not recommended!!
This is the day I subscribed to your sparkling writing and I'm glad.
How I loved this particular post - not least because at 70 and with a 3 year old, very honest grandson, my face is becoming a record of my life and one he reads, over and over. I watch him examining my face with forensic determination.
My mother's face was well used too - and it all came down to laughter lines - dense furrows that proved she could climb out of the muddy depths, brush herself off and smile. Mum was beautiful, courageous and I adored her - the epitome of the 'beauty of a well-used face'.
Thank you so much...
Thanks so much for the shoutout, Elizabeth -- I appreciate it along with the rest of your thoughtful commentary and offerings!
Thanks for the reminder of how beautiful The Miraculous Journey is and how wonderful it is to read out loud. I absolutely loved reading it with my kids - and I couldn't read through the ending without my voice breaking, it's just such a wonderful full-circle ending. Just this weekend the book was sitting on my sister's coffee table and she told me she also had not been able to read it aloud with her kids without crying at the beautiful ending!
Dear Betsy, one of your best (they are all bests from my point of view) and an absolute joy to read!
I can fill you in on a few of the ways Katie developed that beautiful face and look forward to doing so next time we meet.
Already looking forward to your next post.
I looooove generational stories and how the time alters perspective. Excellent read. I need to sip this one slowly. 👌🏾
this is one of my favorites ever! i love what your mother said, and i absolutely adore both of those children's books, which i believe are also meant for adults.
Well done Bets!
My favorite children’s book is Thidwick, the Big-Hearted Moose, by Dr. Seuss. The generous Thidwick allows creatures ranging from bugs and birds to bobcats, turtles, a fox, and finally a bear to take up residence in his horns. He’s the moose who can’t say no. In the end he is able to shed the horns and begin life anew. This book is a tonic for people (adults as well as children) who have a tendency to take on too much.
Thank you for sharing your perspective. You beautifully captured your feelings and how time and experiences leave their marks on us.
I have too many children's books to recommend, but one must give a shout out to the honest plaint of a dad trying in vain to get his little one to sleep: Go the F*ck to Sleep.
Truly, though, this is one of the best blog posts you've ever written, Betsy. Honest and true and clear - poignant re the passage of time.
What a beautiful way to start my weekend. I've been looking at my own well-used face this week as I finally recovered from a kidney infection that started April first. It's interesting to me to see my face as a map of my life. As for reading, I recently read Sometimes You Have to Lie, a biography of the author Louise Fitzhugh. She wrote the Harriet the Spy series. I was inspired to write a play about Louise, and as research I am finally reading Harriet the Spy. I wish I had had this book to read when I was a kid. Harriet is bright, curious, independent, irreverent. As was her creator, Louise. Re Kate DiCamillo, I bought her book The Tale of Despereaux for my granddaughter when she was little and read it to her. I was her favorite book. Then I took my granddaughter to see Kate DiCamillo in person at the Old Church in downtown Portland and my granddaughter got to meet her. I'm going to buy the Edward Tulane book for my granddaughter who is now grown, but could use some bucking up.