The School of Essential Ingredients -
A Novel by Erica Bauermeister
A few years ago someone introduced me to a radical concept -
writing in books.
I know some would shriek - Shock, Horror -
but for those of us who cannot recall a chapter, or even a page,
writing, underlining, scribbling on the sides of pages,
on jacket flaps, covers,
and above the author's words themselves,
has not only been helpful to me,
it has opened doors.
(For those who may recall
and question,
this is
not the reason
I broke up with my library.)
So in my copy of "Essential Ingredients",
you would come across pencil stars, highlighted sunbeams,
and the occasional drawn ellipse around an entire paragraph.
The author provides so many opportunities for personal insight:
"...when you are honest about what you are doing,
I find care and respect follow more easily."
"Marriage is a leap of faith. You are each other's safety net."
"People change.....'I think that's what we're both counting on.'"
"...there are many kinds of love and not all of them are obvious,
that some wait, like presents in the back of the closet, until you are able to open them."
and my favorite:
"...worship at the altar of clarity..."
All these thoughts were seeds for conversations and contemplation.
The one that made me stop in my tracks was this:
"'C'est fini?' Lillian was touching her shoulder gently, a stack of
used plates in her hand.
Helen raised her eyes to meet Lillian's.
'Oui,' she replied, her voice soft. 'Merci.'
And passed her plate to Lillian."
This is a farewell in it's most simple form.
How many things in our lives have we had to finally relinquish?
Relationships, hurts, anger, ideals, hopes,
notions, events, and bad hairstyles.
Instead of holding on to those things, at the risk...well, of risk,
or change and the unknown - let go.
No gnashing of teeth, no pleading a deal, just elegance, grace,
and a tasteful release.
If only we could stack the things whose times have come,
pass them along, and be thankful for it.
Merci.
