Confessions of a Closet Catholic by Sarah Darer Littman made me cry...and then it made me think.
Before class and after my reading of this book, I had a discussion with my mother over the phone. Many times, talking to my mom leads to talking about religion. My mother is a very religious woman who has faith in God like no one else I know. I told her how this book had made me cry--because it reminded me of when my Grandma became sick and soon after died.
My mom lovingly tried to talk about these issues with me using the faith that keeps her standing (as she says). I, on the other hand, have had my faith tested (in the past few weeks and months more than ever) and I was voicing my thoughts and feelings to my mom about this. A lot of times, I feel like Jussy--my family is "religious" to some degree (some members more than others), but I don't always feel like I know where I fit into it. I challenged my mom's views and points and craved more answers than she could give me. The phone call did not end on too happy of a note.
When I got home from class that night, I received a phone call from my dad saying that my Grandma (my other one) was in the hospital and not doing so good. After hanging up the phone from that conversation, I once again thought about Jussy, who thought that her questioning of her family's religion had brought on her Bubbe's sickness--I had done the same thing.
I'm not sure where I'm going with this post...maybe it's just random thoughts and coincidences tied together. I don't really believe that I caused my 92 year old Grandmother's sickness, but I do think that it's just awesome that a piece of literature can bring about so much thought and discussion. I'm really glad we read this book and I intend to make good use of it in my classroom someday.
3 comments:
Kim,
I wanted to thank you for your very personal and thoughtful post. It is so strange how literature can be somewhat of a calming force, because of the parallels it has with our own lives. If we can first make these connections, which you have, we can ultimately pass it on to our students- to further enrich their lives.
Again thank you Kim, and speaking for the whole class we wish for whatever is happening currently in your life to soon pass.
:) katie
Kimberly -
Firstly, let me say that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your grandmother. I hope she is out of the hospital soon.
It's always profoundly meaningful for an author to know that something she has written has resonated with a reader, and I was very touched by your post - although as a mom, I hope you are able to have some more conversations with your mother that end on a better note.
It's very difficult to discuss religion. My 15 year-old son is currently questioning his faith, to the point where he has decided that he is an atheist. When I get upset about it, I try to channel Bubbe and remind myself that questioning is a natural part of growing up, that I, too, went through a period of non-believing.
What I've said to him, though, is that on Friday night when I light the Shabbat candles, I expect him to be there and to cover his head and to be respectful, not because he believes in G-d, but because he loves me, his mother and he is showing respect for me. So if I want to bless him on a Friday evening, as is traditional in the Jewish faith, he should bow his head and let me do it.
It's a compromise we've come to, and he seems to be willing to live with it, for now at least.
I hope you don't mind the author dropping in on your blog like this, but when you sit alone in front of your laptop all day, it means so much to know that the words you've sent out into the world have touched someone in this way.
Wishing good health and happiness to you and your family
Sarah
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I am sorry to hear about your Grandmother, and she is in my thoughts and prayers. I just wanted to comment on your post though because you helped me realize that even literature for children can affect our lives. I really enjoyed this book because like you, I often struggled with my family to figure where I fit in. I could really relate to this book written for a younger audience. It's amazing how we can have these same feelings as young children when reading books.
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