The Cracked Dry Land of My Soul...

When I get to page 327 in Me Before You by Jojo Moyes I decide: I am not going to let this book get to me.

Not gonna' do it.

Thank god I read the last bit of the book in the tub! On page 354 I turn into a weepy, snotty, hiccoughing, slobbery puddle. The water pressure builds all the way through page 361. Well, I get to page 361, toss the book (carefully) onto the bath rug, and let the rest of it out.

So, I've done it. And I feel much better for it.

I do believe in crying. In private. The bathtub, the shower, wandering through the house when no one's home. I do believe, rather passionately, that crying is cathartic. Healing. Rejuvneating.

The cracked dry land of my soul needs these tears to grow.

I am not convinced that you need botox if you let yourself have a good cry whenever you need it. Sigh.

I don't want to spoil the book for you, but I will tell you to read it. READ IT.

And I will also tell you this: If someone you loves is there, at that threshold. GO. Be present with them in that moment. It will transform you, probably at the molecular level.

When I was with grandma, when she drew her last breath, it was like being in the presence of G-O-D.

I'll Sleep in the Box Room

I stop reading Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. Just stop. Louisa and Will--and Nathan--are in Mauritius. I want to hang out with them--maybe forever, but--at least, for a little while.

I love Louisa. She is fantastic. I hate that I am reading a library book. I want to highlight all the good bits and I can't. But I remember this one from early on:

"Jesus Christ," said my father. "Can you imagine? If it wasn't punishment enough ending up in a ruddy wheelchair, then you get our Lou turning up to keep you company."
"Bernard!" my mother scolded.
Behind me, Grandad was laughing in his cup of tea.

If you don't think that's funny, now. Read the book. You will. Louisa Clark is worth getting to know, as Will Traynor finds out.

This story is unexpectedly wonderful. I find myself wandering around my house with a little smile on my face just because of it.

I confess, I am a bit gaga over it.

In fact, if Josie and Bernard will adopt me, I'll sleep in the box room.