In Chapter Seven of The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, Lily is almost in a dreamworld at the home of August Boatwright, the famed beekeeper of South Carolina. Lily holds onto the feeble hope that the lie she claims to be her past will remain undisturbed. Yet as she sits beside August, a kindhearted colored woman, her haven of lies is shaken. Lily is startled to learn that some people can just know the truth by reading between the lines of falsehoods. August is one of those people. Lily, mystified and new to gentle love, comes to the staggering assumption that August Boatwright knows exactly who she is and all the bad things she has done.
There are some people in this world who hold a hidden loss inside their hearts. Lily is a motherless, lonely girl who has always lied to save herself from the truth - something that frightens her down to the core of her being. She does not want to know who she is or why she is alive when her mother is not. As many do, Lily makes a refuge inside her lonesome heart and lets it out through stories that make her laugh and cry. But people need others to share their laughs, sorrows, and secrets with them. She needs someone to speak openly to about the mother she lost. All in all, Lily needs August to know her, even though the thought scares her terribly.
Seldom have I met someone who can see right down to my soul, but when it happens, I see a message written in that person's eyes. The message reads: "I have known you for a long time. It's about time I tell you all about yourself." A beautiful Christian woman named Nina looked at me while introducing herself with those eyes that cut my hardened heart like a hot knife through butter. Whenever I see her, she speaks as if at that very moment, there is nothing more wonderful in the world than to sit there just talking with me. I believe this is how Lily feels about August, a woman who took her in and loved her although she feels unlovable.
I believe everyone finds their own 'miracle friend' even if in all their lives, the two speak to each other only once. Who knows, you could be the 'miracle friend' someone needs even in a long, boring movie ticket line. Finding sweet words is like sweeping up dust. There is so much of it, all we have to do is stir up joy until it surrounds us, lands on us, and moves with our every step.
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2 comments:
Miski, this is so amazing. I love how you used an example from your own experience. You are a truly beautiful person.
Now, about the book, I really agree with what you're saying. All Lily wants is to be loved, and she really believes that she can trust August with the truth of her past. I think that everyone has had those moments when you want to tell someone something but you feel like you just can't. Keep up the incredible work honey!
Casey, thank you! I think Lily's really searching for someone to be her mother and to share her secrets with. Everyone needs a mother. I cried and cried and tripped down the stairs to hold my mother after reading Chapters Twelve and Thirteen. But in Lily's case, she's never had that. She realizes that she needs women to adore her, men to learn from, and kids to have fun with. Orphans have a hard time living, and I wish children with parents could treat them like the sacrificing caretakers they are. Thank you again for the compliment, it was very sweet of you.
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