That's the title of a book I just finished reading at the recommendation of my wife. It was a book that she bought from MPH. I asked her if it's among the latest arrivals, she said it isn't. Did anyone recommend it to her? No. Has she read other books by the author, Nicholas Sparks? No, it's her first.
My wife, you see, reads mainly romance stories with mushy titles which most guys won't be found reading one. I, like most guys, have never read romance stories other than Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, which I suspect were given to us during our pre-school days as some kind of a once-a-lifetime romance prep course. Anyway, I looked at the book she handed me. No picture of a lass with flowing hair resting in the bosom of a long-haired hunk. Plus, the photo of the author shows him to be a decent-looking, family-type chap. Hmm, should be quite safe to read. Besides, I am really hoping that by reading her stuff, she may notice it and be kind enough to read my blog once in a while. Are you reading this, Veron?
So, that's how I started reading this book whose story is inspired by the life of the author's sister, and set in the America of the 50s. I wasn't born in the 50s, & certainly not in the America. After the first few pages, I struggled to find some common ground to make me read beyond the prologue. I could not find any. Nonetheless, I bravely ploughed on. There must be something there for her to finish it within 3 days. As I progressed, it turn out to be a really beautiful yet heart-wrenching tale. The title may sound Shakespearean, but the story, oh the story, is so touching and riveting.
Each time I brought my daughters to the playground in the last couple of weeks, I was seated at the bench reading this book. Some mothers were at the playground reading the papers, but I was the only father reading a romance novel. I could even sense them casting a suspicious glance at me from behind their papers. At home, when I found time to relax, it was with the book. My elder daughter asked me why I was in tears the other night as I lapped up the last few lines of the book. I told her I was touched by the story about a father's love for his daughter; about her love for the underclass around her; and about the true love that a formerly insensitive young man found in this wonderful young lady.
Stories like this bring back the memories - how we were young once, how we fell in & out of love, how we sometimes take the love of those around us for granted because we were too busy growing up and doing our own things. It also showed me how much my love for my wife has given way to practical living. Shou Vien wrote about love just a week back, and there sitting aptly in the midst of this book was the definition of love from 1 Corinthians 13. It's a timely reminder to revisit the concept of love in its original untainted form, a timely invitation to travel back to where it's yesterday once more, even if it's just for the nostalgia, and a timely prompting to cherish each day as it comes before it's gone.
If you ever need to stop and smell the roses in world that has grown cold and void of real love, this is one rose you should smell - A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks.
God bless you,
Thomas
Category: cf_tht
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