Update 4/21/10 Day 163

Dear friends,

One of our fellow bloggies, Susan K., sent me a link for a website that makes me laugh, cry and wonder. It's called "The Rabbit Room" (www.rabbitroom.com), and it is best described as a hang out for creative types who get a kick out of words and are making sense of this fallen world through the prism of the grace of G0d. My favorite author, C.S. Lewis, was one of the writers who inhabited the real Rabbit Room in Oxford, England, along with J.R.R. Tolkien and some other fascinating literary folk, most of them followers of the Great One. I've enjoyed this site, and have learned from the humility and story telling power of the people who post there. I was especially intrigued with one question, and thought I would bring it to your attention, just for fun.

In the book, "The Hobbit", by Tolkien (my current read), the main character Bilbo Baggins is challenged to go on the adventure of a lifetime. Bilbo's DNA is split between two temperaments. His mother, Belladonna Took, comes from a long line of Hobbits who were risk takers; willing to take on the unknown, follow the star, face a possible danger. But Bilbo's father's side was pure, safe, contented Hobbit. Happy by the fire with a pipe and a book in a comfy chair, enjoying the pleasures of home and hearth. Skittish about anything beyond the confines of the sweet Shire.

So the question they asked, and I ask you, are you more a Baggins or a Took? I will tell you that by nature I am a Baggins. I love C.S. Lewis' quote "You can never get a book long enough or a cup of tea big enough to suit me..." The older I've gotten, the more Baggins-like I seem to be. I'm contented to have my world settled. But one thing Tolkien makes clear in all his marvelous stories: you must contend with the fallen world, or it will contend with you. I think since the accident my inner Took has come out. Tookness is necessary when we bump up against the darkness of a world where terrible things happen. It is required that we resist evil and strive for good, or else darkness will surely press down on our broken planet. I think everyone has some Took in them. I love those folks who are natural Tooks, who wrestle down their fears and insist on a life of challenge. I'm glad the Great One gives us both the comforts of home and the excitement of the unknown. Perhaps we're all blends of Baggins and Took, depending on the day, depending on the hour...

I can't wait to hear what the angle is on Steve's elbow. Soon, Sweet Sandy will measure the bend, and we'll find out what that blasted Dynasplint is made of. He's also going to talk to Dr. Bagchi to see if anything can be done to get that right shoulder moving. It's still very stiff and doesn't want to stretch too high. Miss Rejoice continues to do well in school. She's anxious to get back to her regular gym class, but won't be cleared until Dr. Samaio sees her in early May. He wants to be cautious. But she's raring to go. Hannah had so much homework tonite she skipped Gen Church. Now you've got to know she's loaded with it if she misses Wednesday evenings at DFG. She's a dedicated student, always the over achiever. She's got more discipline in her pinky than I have in my whole body! What a kid.

Time for bed, with a little Hobbit to lull me off to sleep. (And I don't mean you, MaryAnn!) I love to read in bed. I love to read period. With a cup of tea. And in the winter, a fire. (But no pipe...) Definitely a Baggins...

Love to all of you dear friends, Baggins' and Tooks alike!

Your friend on the pilgrim road,

Loriann