I know. I know. The Help. It is all the literary/film rage right now. But, I am so jumping blissfully on the bandwagon as well. I am on page 254 right now and loving each one. And can't wait to finish the book, so I then go to the movie. Since reading Gone with the Wind as a kid after watching the Movie. I will never again do that. Books deserve that vivid imagination play on the page first before seeing the film:)
Have you read it? Growing up in the South and my own Mom being The Help to pay my way through Catholic School. I am so riveted by the charector's and Stories. My Mom cleaned house in the early 1980's for two exclusive households. One Family was the Hanson's, who both parents were Doctar's. My Mom also watched there darling little girls that were around my age. Karen and Jenny. They became a wonderful extension of our own lives and were so kind to my Mother and I. I never felt a class difference what so ever. But, the Dr.'s were also yankees like us:) Then my Mothers other household was a little different. Southern Traditional. The Mother was a Dr's wife and she busied herself with traveling and other things. She was a kind lady and did teach me how to tie my shoes:) They had a daughter and son. The little boy was a toddler and his oldest sister was quite interesting. Coming up with silly stories. A very vivid imagination and quite a hand full! My Mom rarely watched the children as they had a African American Nanny. It was my first experience with the lingering Black/White Social roles that still sometimes exist in the south. This lovely Woman was older, maybe in her fifties then. She was so sweet and delightfully fun. Wow, she was a wonderful cook too boot. She seemed so at ease around us children and my Mom. But, when the Mrs. was around it was a whole different story. These strange yes Ma'am and quietness would come over her. Even as a child I was surprised by it and how the eldest child even treated her differently then my own Mother the HouseKeeper. I remember asking my Mother about it and her explaining the best way that she could. "The South is different. They has social traditions we don't." My Mom did not work long for them. I think she even found issues with the Mrs. after awhile. My Mothers view was and is still embraced in my life. Social standing/ color of a person's skin means nothing . It feels funny even talking about it now. But, The Help is a good reminder of how it used to be and at times still can be to many. Moving again to the deep South as Adult, I would be a fool to not say that it doesn't exist still. It is a touchy subject I know. But, I pray that this book will have an impact on reminding everyone how far we have come and in the many ways we need to go forward in racial/social views. Bias do come in all shapes and sizes. It is awareness that never should be forgotten nor not worked on.
Abileen's Notebook.
If you have not read the book. I don't want to go into too much detail. But, I adore the idea of a steno notebook as a prayer book. I do right down my prayers for others a lot. But, I don't have a specific place. Usually on scraps of paper or on my Morning pages ledger pad that usually get tossed:( So, while at Target the other day I picked up a 99 cent steno pad and covered it with my favorite pattern paper from Studio Calico (farmer's market) that I have found no use for quite yet.
I added a little label and a faux wood grain clip to collect things. I love how books can not only entertain, but inspire:)
Happy Wed. Friends and Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the comments on the last post!!!! They are tucked in my heart for my continued health journey. Love, C.
