I was feeling a little sorry for myself, that I’ve not had much time to write lately. Real life activities, a sick kid at home, a neglected to-do list a mile long, and I wondered why I kept trying to jam 26 hours worth of stuff into a 24 hour day.
Then I read about an amazing man and the library he built.
First of all, the library is beyond gorgeous. It is a literal incarnation of the dream library that I’ve always carried around in my head, hoping one day – if I was rich or idle enough – I would build one for myself.
This father and husband was neither rich nor idle – he spent endless hours overcoming his body’s limitations to achieve something that would last well beyond his lifetime. I am in awe of his perseverance and drive. I am certain it was not easy, and yet he still got up and went to his workshop and toiled on his labor of love every day … for years.
We can’t all perform heroic feats, and thankfully my family and I are blessed to not have such physical limitations to overcome. But it gives me a wonderful perspective to see what can be accomplished with determination and grace.
Somehow doing everything on my to-do list seems a little less important, and feeling sorry for myself feels downright scandalous. With determination, I will finish my books and send them out. It will take time, and may not happen as quickly as I’d like. It may even take years of toiling over my labors of love, but that bookcase didn’t build itself. And my books won’t write themselves either.
Today, I will read to and take care of the youngling. Maybe tomorrow too, if he still needs it. The writing will still be there, waiting patiently for me to return.
Wow… now THAT was a motivational post! Thanks, Susan. 🙂
I love stories about people and their successes! Had to share.
That was beautiful! Simply amazing…what a dream library!
I've always thought writing was something that had to come to you in the end as well. That library is just beautiful. We visited an old botanical garden in Dallas recently, there was an old house they've preserved and the library was magnificent. There is something magical about them.
@Beth I know, right?
@Robert The writing comes to me and beats me senseless until I put it into words. Very uncivilized, the writing is. 🙂
Puts everything back into perspective, doesn't it?
Somehow I keep having to re-find perspective, over and over. I'm a slow learner that way. 🙂
That is pretty close to my dream library too. I love discovering other adult lovers of Middle Grade, too. I just finished the Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas (and it goes without saying I am a Riordan fan). I will be checking out your other links to books!