Pride and Prejudice

In 2005 I lived in Thailand, volunteering at an orphanage.  In the town of Khon Kaen it was very hard to find English books...well, anything in English was hard to find for that matter!  

One day in a tiny bookstore, while looking through stacks of books, I found a delightful paperback copy of Pride and Prejudice.  I was so excited!  Not only did I finally find an English book to read, I had just purchased my very first copy of Pride and Prejudice.  I was in a state of complete joy and happiness. 

Years later, while living in a small town outside of Chicago, some friends were over my apartment, when someone quoted Miss Austen incorrectly!  My friend Bailey knew the correct quote and stated that if she had a copy of Pride and Prejudice she would prove it.  So I went to my bookshelf and pulled out my copy.  

We laughed as she looked at my tiny copy of the book.  "Where in the world did you find this?  This is not adequate at all."

Months later when I moved to North Carolina, on the day I was all packed up and ready to pull out of town, Bailey handed me a gift.  

A beautiful, hardback copy of Pride and Prejudice that was published in 1963.  It came with a letter telling me that since my copy of this wonderful book just wouldn't do she decided to give me hers.  

Tears stung my eyes at her thoughtful gesture. 

This past weekend I was in a store, window shopping.  I wasn't expecting to buy anything, just having fun going from shop to shop.  I wandered into a store, and on display were some beautiful books, they were hardback with cute little dust jackets in different patterns.  Mostly florals and prints, all ready for spring.  

I glanced at the top cover and was completely surprised to discover it was a copy of Pride and Prejudice!  I bought it and returned home thinking, “Did I really just buy this book because it's cute?” 

But the answer is no...I didn't buy it because it's cute.  

I bought it because for some reason holding a copy of Pride and Prejudice make me feel like I'm home. 

A familiar story, with words that bring comfort to my heart.  Personal connections to the book from places I've lived all over the world.  Memories of happy times and friends so dear.

A good book is more than it seems.

Snow

Snow makes me think of peace. 

In a world that is constantly moving fast and changing without notice, words hurting sometimes and disappointment reigning, everything slows down when it snows.  The world is calmed.  People look out windows and smile.  Families home from work and school, fires are made in fireplaces and the craziness of our busy schedules put on hold as the world is covered in a soft blanket of white.

When snow falls the world outside feels quiet.  Like it’s sleeping. 

I love the crunch of boots on the snow underneath and my white breath hanging in the air, dancing.  While it snowed this winter I usually found myself indoors, working, but even the thought that snow was falling outside put me in a good mood.  I couldn’t wait to sit down with a cozy blanket, sip hot coffee and watch the snowflakes fall, lost in my thoughts.  I was also antsy to put on my winter boots and march out into the snow like a little kid.

A lot of people think I’m crazy for loving cold weather and snow, but it reminds me of growing up in Cleveland.  It takes me back to my childhood, building forts filled with snowballs, sledding on hills so steep, and using my imagination to create snowmen that would catch the eye of anyone passing by.

Snow. 

Little drops of white slowly falling above.  Making patterns and designs on store windows.  Turning trees into beautiful winter works of art, a mysterious new wonderland waiting to be explored. 

A lovely dance between the sky and the earth. 

I love snow.