To Kill a Mockingbird

I just finished To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and was reminded again why it is one of my favorite books. I didn’t know that it was my mom’s favorite until I compiled this list. It was so wonderful to read at this stage in my life. I was single when I read it before.

This time I thought a lot about how I treat my children and what I’m focusing on teaching them. I thought about life through their eyes, how they view me, and what is really important to them. I thought of the world around us and how it is teaching them what it views as moral and right. I need to make sure they know what is really moral and right, what God says is moral and right. It made me want to rededicate myself to teaching them and working with them.

I truly loved it. I cried at the end.

“Daylight . . . in my mind, the night faded. It was daytime and the neighborhood was busy. Miss Stephanic Crawford crossed the streeet to tell the latest to Miss Rachel. Miss Maudie bent over her azaleas. It was summertime, and two children scampered down the sidewalk toward a man approaching in the distance. The man waved, and the children raced each other to him. It was still summertime, and the children came closer. A boy trudged down the sidewalk dragging a fishing pole begind him. a Man stood waiting with his hands on his hips. Summertime, and his children played in the front yard with their friend, enacting a strange little drama of their own invention. It was fall, and his children fought on the sidewalk in front of Mrs. Dubose’s. The boy helped his sister to her feet, and they made their way home. Fall, and his children trotted to and fro around the corner, the day’s woes and triumphs on their faces. They stopped at an oak tree, delighted, puzzled, apprehensive. Winter, and his children shivered at the front gate, silhouetted against a blazing house. Winter, and a man walked into the street, dropped his glasses, and shot a dog. Summer, and he watched his children’s heart break. Autumn again, and Boo’s children needed him.”(To Kill a Mockingbird page 321)

I’m planning to rent the movie and watch it with Steve. I’ll post the next book on my list tomorrow.