Spring break for Moms
Cindy on March 12th, 2009
The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach — waiting for a gift from the sea. — Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Four miles long and ½ mile wide, the narrow island of Captiva is where Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote the beloved inspirational classic, Gift from the Sea. Last spring, I finally made my pilgrimage to Captiva. Returning home with the requisite souvinir shells, I wrote a reflective essay on how Lindbergh’s words continue to inspire me in midlife. The essay is reprinted in this week’s Midpoint column in The Oakland Press. I’d love to hear from other women whose lives were validated or changed by the timeless advice in this book. And if you haven’t read it yet, treat yourself to a copy. I promise you won’t be disappointed. –CL
*Previous Midpoint columns are archived with links to The Oakland Press (look under CATEGORIES in the “Browse” panel at right). These columns focus on issues of special interest to women between ages 40 and 65.
March 12th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
I’ve never read this book but have it on my list to check out. I love some of the things I’ve seen quoted by her. Looking forward to reading your column.
March 12th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
I enjoyed your Midpoint column, Cindy. This book is a timeless treasure. Anne’s wisdom not only speaks to all women, but to women through the ages. She could not have known what am impact her words would have for women in the 21st century.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I read it years ago and it really resonated with me, even though I was a single working woman. It made me want to be a writer. I’ll have to read it again, hopefully on my own by the sea sabbatical.
March 13th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Cindy,
I loved and appreciate the book with new eyes.
As you know, I love AML and just read a biography of her. It was quite eye-opening. And tender. She suffered through much and was suffered from insecurity (esp. as a writer) for most of her life. After reading that, Gift from the Sea held new meaning for me. I’d always been drawn to the chapter on Moonshell. This time, I was drawn to Channeled Whelk–about the distractions of life and how we allow them to disconnect us from our truest self (my journey, as well as hers
March 13th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Jan,
so true … and thanks for reminding us (many here are writers) that AML was insecure about her writing gift, in spite of her success and celebrity. Isn’t that amazing? I find a spiritual lesson in that as well. I like how you are relating to the different shells at different points in your journey. I also love the way you’ve written about AML on your own blog, “Awake is Good,” and hope everyone here will visit you there.
March 13th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Oh Cindy,
This is one of my favorite books! As a struggling young mom, it opened my eyes to the seasons of womanhood, and it helped me understand my own mother a bit better. Now that I’m sort of evolving into a different season, you’ve inspired me to read it again.
How wonderful that you made the pilgrimage to Captiva!
March 13th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I haven’t read that book in years- definitely want to check it out now after reading that wonderful article! Thanks so much Cindy. It was just what I needed to read.
March 13th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Pam, Starrlife, Gayle, Sharon, Jan, and “Only” — so glad you related to the piece in some way, or are perhaps even moved to revisit the book. Pam, you’re so right about the perspective it gives on our own mothers, raising us in the 1950s and ’60s. -CL
March 13th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
I enjoyed your article, and it made me realize I try to keep my shells few, but polished, close at hand, near my heart. Sometimes life’s waves wash in a new batch, but then it just means it’s time to do some beachcombing, keeping the special ones, and tossing the rest back into the sea.