you can't read a closed book

This is one of my all time favorite children's books.....

I've read it to my boys regularly for the last 10 years--and it never seems to get old. We laugh every time the animals stack themselves up to rescue Cotton the kitten. We laugh when they eat the fireworks after being told by Petunia they were candies. And we laugh at the illustration of all the barnyard animals in various states of injury--bandaged and be-crutched.

If you haven't read the story I highly recommend it. Let me give you a quick rundown on what it's about (and there is a point to all of this besides a book recommendation. Just stick with me :) ) --

Petunia is a silly goose who lives on a farm. One day she finds a book laying on the ground. She picks it up and thinks she looks quite wise carrying it around under wing. In fact, she starts to convince her other animal friends of her wisdom, and they begin to ask her for advice--which she gives them....badly. After causing several hilarious mishaps around the farm, Petunia comes to the hard truth that she's not so wise after all. However, she also notices that there is WRITING in the book. She'd never opened it before. She realizes that if she wants to be truly wise, she has to take in the wisdom and apply it. Only then can she truly be of use to her friends.

There are actually a lot of lessons to be learned from the story, but the one that stuck with me as I read it tonight was this: YOU CAN'T LEARN FROM A CLOSED BOOK.

That's one of the main reasons I continue to write this blog. I don't have a huge following, but I know what I have and am going through right now has benefited other people as I've shared it. If I kept all I learned to myself, I would be a closed book--selfish with my 'wisdom'. Now, I'm not advocating throwing everything out there in public. You will n-o-t be hearing about my menstrual cycles, fungal infections, or gossip about friends. But there are times I write things that most would keep to themselves. And I do it for a purpose.

I want to be an open book.

Or at least a half open book.

And not just on my blog. I want my sweet boys to be able to come talk to me about anything and know I'll be honest with them. I want to be approachable without being preachy. I want to help friends and family if and when I can. I don't propose to understand just what people are experiencing or feeling--every situation is different-- but in my life I have lived through and found some insight into death, addictions, violence, loss of control, disappointment, fear, divorce, serious illness, and hopelessness. And really, what good is wisdom if you can't make a wise crack every now and then? :) Who knows. I may learn the same hard lesson that Petunia did--that in actuality, I'm dumb as a rock. But at least I can say my heart was in the right place.

Just consider this yet another open thank you letter to all those who continue to read, comment, and lurk. I appreciate all the support I receive from such kind readers. And thank you most of all for teaching ME too!

With love,

~Jennifer P.