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Joseph Brink's avatar

"It's like the hint of cold in the wardrobe just before Narnia spills in. Somehow its fragile, vulnerable nature makes it oddly beautiful."

I love this. Exactly how I feel about it!

Let me know what you think of it if you end up reading "Dandelion Wine"! It's one of those books that is very much tied to a specific season. I recommend reading it in August and September as summer winds to a close. (Also, just a heads up, it may have some blasphemies in it. I know a lot of his books do; I'm not sure about that one specifically)

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Rue Arrow's avatar

I will definitely let you know if/when I do! Also, thank you for the warning. I really appreciate when Christians provide content warnings about things that become so sadly ordinary in literature. It disinclines the heart toward apathy ☺️

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Ruth Anne Acheson's avatar

Oh, this was lovely, Rue. I'll be eighteen this year, and I definitely feel that "caught up and want to cherish every second left" feeling. You put things into words so beautifully and poetically, and you've reminded me that growing up is as good an adventure as childhood was. Thank you!

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Rue Arrow's avatar

This made my heart smile so big, Ruth! On the one hand, I'm aching alongside you with the bittersweet goodbyes. But, on the other hand, I'm so delighted we all get to share in the joy of new wonder that comes with this season. May the Lord lead you kindly onward.🤎

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Joseph Brink's avatar

This post stirred me deeply. I'm in a similar place to you: caught between fear of growing up and missing childhood while also beginning to embrace adulthood and the wonder and joy that can come with this new season.

This post strangely reminded me of "Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury. Have you read that book? It's a little far-fetched/nonsensical at times, but overall it's an examination of the wonder of childhood and the complexity of growing up. Despite my childhood being very different than the childhoods showcased in that book, it never fails to hit me with a deep wave of nostalgia, as did this post. Good writing can take someoneone else's nostalgia and make it your own in a small way.

Your writing is so poetic, even when it's not actual poetry. Thank you for sharing this, Rue!

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Rue Arrow's avatar

Oh, this makes me so very glad. The way you described it as "caught between..." is exactly what it feels like. Every time I write about it in my journal I refer to it as "the space-between." It's like the hint of cold in the wardrobe just before Narnia spills in. Somehow its fragile, vulnerable nature makes it oddly beautiful.

"Dandelion Wine" is such a whimsical book title! I've only ever read Fahrenheit 451 by Bradbury, but it's easily one of my favorite bits of fiction. I'll be adding that to my TBR list now! Thanks for the suggestion ☺️

And thank you so much!

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Emma Rose Thrasher's avatar

I resonate so deeply with this. It took a long time for me to accept the fact that I was growing up--I sometimes say that I fought it tooth and nail--but somehow now that it's here, I find that I'm more ready than I thought. You expressed it beautifully.

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Rue Arrow's avatar

"Somehow now that it's here, I find that I'm more ready than I thought." That's exactly how I feel. 🤎 It isn't without sorrow or struggle, but it is fitting and right. I told a friend recently that the sorrow testifies to how "right" the last season was too.

Thank you so much for sharing this bit of your heart, Emma! I'm in the same boat as you and trust the Lord will steer us faithfully onward.

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