Lessons

Last year I signed up with a group on Ravelry to read 52 books in 52 weeks. I didn't make it--I hit, just barely, 40 books. And some of these were children's books I was sending to my grand niece but HEY I hadn't read them so they count.

I am going for the 52 again this year and am off to a good start. I am oscillating between junk, and what I mean by that is reading novels that only requires my eyes not my brain, and then I am reading work material.

I started the year with the book of all books: Charlotte's Web. Oh, my. This is one of the first books I really remembering reading on my own besides Dr. Seuss. And this book has and will always define friendship for me. And be responsible for my inability to kill spiders just because one of them could be Charlotte's offspring (hey! it could happen, leave me alone).

I think of all the characters and wonder who I have chosen to be in my life. Do I have Charlotte's? No, no, not enough. These are the friends who pierce to the core of friendship--they do what is required and know they do it for the art of friendship. It is deep, loving and special. Do I have Wilbur's? Yes, willingly, the sweet amiables that love and wonder, the focus is on themselves and the moment. Just like Charlotte's description of 'some pig' these are my 'some friends'. I love them. What about Templeton's? Yes, those too--the ones that suck life from me and give back grudgingly as long as there is something in it for them. And, Fern's. The friends who are there until something else on the Ferris Wheel pulls them away because it means more to them than Charlotte or Wilbur. I have too many of these. And Goose, the wise one. I could use one of these. And I wish for Avery's--that kid knows himself and lets the whole world in on him.

I love this book. I love the levels of friendship that it taught me when I was eight. I need to reassess my friendships this year and decide who I will be to my friends. It is a gift to be a friend, and a blessing to have friends.

It is a book that comforts me and reminds me that we choose people to be in our life for a reason.

I love the image of Wilbur, standing under Charlotte's last word. The word that an glutted Templeton brought back, moaning and pushing his overstuffed belly the the whole way. I love Wilbur, with his smile, standing there trying to define

HUMBLE

It's Charlotte that is humble and it will always define that for me. Who knew at eight I get that lesson so well.