Wine makes me feel thoughtful. Sentimental. Poetic, even.

My sixth grade students will soon be reading Walk Two Moons. 

Put these two together, and you get a philosopher reading a deeply insightful and emotional story.

“It was not a trip I was eager to take, but it was one I had to take.” p. 4, start of Chapter 2

How many of are truly eager to take trips that are life-changing, mind-altering? These novel pilgrimages always take characters not just to their physical destination, but to a metaphysical end as well. On my bucket list sits, in bold font, a trip along the old Route 66. I don’t plan it to be a pilgrimage, but who knows? Hours and days on the road can bring thoughts and ideas – kind of like a glass of wine and a good book.

“If people expect you to be brave, sometimes you pretend that you are, even when you are frightened down to your very bones.” p. 13, middle of Chapter 3

This one – I could be punchy and say “I resemble this remark.” People expect me to be brave all too often. The simple first aid responsibilities when no one else can handle the blood; the disability advocate role for myself and my son; leading by word and example, at work and at home; being brave by pretense takes a lot of energy. To act brave when frightened “…down to your very bones….” – we all do it. Some of us play the brave role more often than we ought.

“It is surprising all the things you remember just by eating blackberry pie.” p. 34, final sentence in Chapter 6

Memories. A good memory is both a blessing and a curse. I can forgive, but I never forget.  Certain flavors and certain scents take my mind back to whole events, many fraught with emotion. Those memories, the ones with strong emotions, aren’t always good. But those that are positive, those scents and flavors are pathways to contentment, even happiness.

Walk Two Moons belongs on the shelf I call “Read with a Kleenex.” When main character and narrator Sal reaches her destination by her self-imposed deadline, she — well, read it. It’s worth the time, and it’s worth the tissues.