Waxing introspective

Every once in a while I have to wax introspective. I love reading and always have a book going somewhere, be it reading every spare minute or just picking it up for 5 minutes a day. I've always thought that one of the marks of good and enduring literature is that it has in it some truths that, by the talent of the author, have been encapsulated into just a few sentences. These are things that are true regardless of time or situation. I've been reading "Anne of the Island," part of the Anne of Green Gables series. In it, a friend of Anne's, Ruby Gillis dies (hope I didn't just spoil some of the plot line for everyone). I actually love the chapter when Ruby dies because there is so much in there that is universally applicable. Anne has a little chat with Ruby who has seemed so frivolous in life and is finally able to talk to Anne about her coming death. As Anne leaves Ruby for the last time, she kind of reviews some things. I was particularly struck by this little excerpt:

"The little things of life, sweet and excellent in their place, must not be the
things lived for; the highest must be sought and followed; the life of heaven
must be begun here on earth."

There are so many things that demand my time and attention and they all have varying degrees of importance. This little gem doesn't mean that every little thing has to be done with the thought of the end in mind. It doesn't mean that the mundane things of life (cleaning the family room for the hundredth time this week, bathing the children yet again) can be put completely aside in favor of more important things. Nor does it mean that I can't enjoy life's little repasts (in fact, I think that's really important). What it does mean is that I cannot be prepared for the life to come if I don't spend some time preparing for it here. I like it just because it's a reminder that everything I choose in life comes at a price and I need to remember that price on a daily basis.

On a less eloquent note, I'm always amused by the things my children do (who isn't...I mean amused by their own children, not mine). Lately I've heard them talk about "whacking" quite a bit. This is a word they use in place of hit and have for as long as I can remember. For example, Holly complained that "Owen whacked me on the arm!" What I want to know is why did they ever start using this word instead of hit? Whatever caused it, I don't care, it is one of those simple pleasures to laugh silently every time they use it (and it helps me maintain my sanity when they are tattling on each other and fighting yet again).