As the snow is falling outside I get the yearning to cuddle up in my favorite chair and pull out a good book to get lost in. The picture of the March girls playing in the snow around Christmas comes to mind. My heart is tender towards them celebrating Christmas with their father gone off to war. They are counting all there pennies and sacrificing while he’s gone. They recognize the hard ship he’s going through being away from them. I relate to this part of the book in several ways. Nine years ago my husband Warren was off serving in a war in the Middle East. I remember being pregnant with our third daughter. We didn’t live close to most of our family and I remember the holiday was coming. It was a lonely thought to think we would be celebrating Christmas without my husband. Just like the March family our means were very limited.
Our friend and family community stepped in to help us through this tough trial. A close family friend offered to buy us tickets to Arizona for Christmas, to be with our family. This was such a delight for us. We would be able to curb the loneliness by being with family. My husband told me not to worry about buying any Christmas gifts for any one in our family he had it taken care of. I found out why the night before we left to Arizona. There was a secret knock at the door and when I opened the door there was a pile of gifts for our family. I later learned that a close friend had offered to take care of Christmas for us. Like The March girls example of helping someone in more need on Christmas morning by giving their Christmas breakfast away. What a beautiful act of charity, by cheerfully giving it away.
Service is the best part of Christmas for me. My kids get so excited about doing twelve days of Christmas for others. Twelve nights all the way up to Christmas we leave a gift on someone’s door step that goes along with the true meaning of Christmas. They love to watch in the distant the surprised looks on their faces. The gift is nothing fancy or expensive but its love for the family that we are trying to express. We look for others who are having a hard time in life and could use some cheer. We have done this for widows, families with sick or disabled children, families whose husbands are deployed, or strangers who seem lonely. Bring joy and happiness during the holidays to others is what makes it so memorable for us.
Christmas is now right around the corner and a new past time we have begun to start is singing Christmas songs around the piano. I loved this part in the book where the March family gathers to sing there favorite Christmas hymns. I started this tradition after being inspired by this seen in the book. I look forward to continuing this tradition in our home. Family truly is key to our happiness on this earth.
Showing posts with label Little Women - Louisa May Alcott. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Little Women - Louisa May Alcott. Show all posts
December 15, 2014
January 3, 2014
Little Women by Kim Wilson
Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott
There is no wonder why this book is considered a classic. Although written close to 150 years ago, the characters of the "little women" are timeless. Aspects of their personalities, their strengths, their weaknesses, their struggles, and their accomplishments, parallel that of our own today and that means we can learn from them.
As Jo faces her greatest weakness, her temper, she turns to her mother for guidance. Mother's advice is nothing novel nor dated, but enduring. Dare I say, "classic?" Says Mother,
"My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust him, the nearer you will feel to him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire of change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother."
I loved when the ever patient, calm and collected Mother confesses her secret weakness: her ill temper. She did so in attempt to help her daughter, Jo, learn to control her own temper. What a great mommy. I think it is important that we show our children that we are not perfect and that we struggle with character flaws, just as they do, but that we are striving to be better and overcome them through our relationship with God.
Having a strong relationship with God is a theme throughout this book. It is this that aids Amy in her effort to overcome her selfish nature and learn to think about others more than herself.
Beth's character reminded me of Melanie Hamilton from Gone with the Wind; so quick to give others the benefit of the doubt. Beth's loving nature and positive attitude are covetous and inspiring to me.
Father discovers Meg's personal growth in his observation of her roughened hand.
"I remember a time when this hand was white and smooth, and your first care was to keep it so. it was very pretty then, but to me it is much prettier now - for in these seeming blemishes I read a little history. A burnt-offering has been made of vanity; this hardened palm has earned something better that blisters; and I'm sure the sewing done by these pricked fingers will last a long time, so much goodwill went into the stitches. Meg, my dear, I value the womanly skill which keeps home happy more than white hands or fashionable accomplishments. I'm proud to shake this good, industrious little hand."
I loved reading this book to my children, two of which are boys ages 6 and 8. I was worried at first that they might not appreciate it and be more or less bored out of their minds. Fortunately, they were very interested and it kept their attention the entire 669 pages. We paused our reading many times and had invaluable discussions on significant themes as they were introduced - including but not limited to: faith, forgiveness, self improvement, value of work, service, love, loyalty, evils of gossip, vanity and pride, etc. The lessons we can learn from these "little women," are priceless.
by Louisa May Alcott
There is no wonder why this book is considered a classic. Although written close to 150 years ago, the characters of the "little women" are timeless. Aspects of their personalities, their strengths, their weaknesses, their struggles, and their accomplishments, parallel that of our own today and that means we can learn from them.
As Jo faces her greatest weakness, her temper, she turns to her mother for guidance. Mother's advice is nothing novel nor dated, but enduring. Dare I say, "classic?" Says Mother,
"My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust him, the nearer you will feel to him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire of change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother."
I loved when the ever patient, calm and collected Mother confesses her secret weakness: her ill temper. She did so in attempt to help her daughter, Jo, learn to control her own temper. What a great mommy. I think it is important that we show our children that we are not perfect and that we struggle with character flaws, just as they do, but that we are striving to be better and overcome them through our relationship with God.
Having a strong relationship with God is a theme throughout this book. It is this that aids Amy in her effort to overcome her selfish nature and learn to think about others more than herself.
Beth's character reminded me of Melanie Hamilton from Gone with the Wind; so quick to give others the benefit of the doubt. Beth's loving nature and positive attitude are covetous and inspiring to me.
Father discovers Meg's personal growth in his observation of her roughened hand.
"I remember a time when this hand was white and smooth, and your first care was to keep it so. it was very pretty then, but to me it is much prettier now - for in these seeming blemishes I read a little history. A burnt-offering has been made of vanity; this hardened palm has earned something better that blisters; and I'm sure the sewing done by these pricked fingers will last a long time, so much goodwill went into the stitches. Meg, my dear, I value the womanly skill which keeps home happy more than white hands or fashionable accomplishments. I'm proud to shake this good, industrious little hand."
I loved reading this book to my children, two of which are boys ages 6 and 8. I was worried at first that they might not appreciate it and be more or less bored out of their minds. Fortunately, they were very interested and it kept their attention the entire 669 pages. We paused our reading many times and had invaluable discussions on significant themes as they were introduced - including but not limited to: faith, forgiveness, self improvement, value of work, service, love, loyalty, evils of gossip, vanity and pride, etc. The lessons we can learn from these "little women," are priceless.
May 20, 2013
Marmee's Ambitions
"My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world - marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting. Money is a needful and precious thing - when well used, a noble thing - but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace."
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