Christine Organ’s Open Boxes reads a little bit like Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts. I mean, I don’t get the sense that she was influenced by Voskamp, and Organ clearly has her own style of writing (which is beautiful), but as I was reading it, I was reminded with gentle nudges to appreciate the small moments – the thousand gifts that come to one in daily life, if only you can see them.
Open Boxes is divided into sections which direct the reader’s attention to grace, miracles and wonder; and she shares snippets of her life, which illustrate the themes. Most of these vignettes made me feel a connection to her, and I appreciated how much we have in common:
Puppy woes (although theirs had a happier ending)
PPD
Competitive swimming as a kid
Struggle with traditional faith
Body image and trying to fit in
Also – the way a writer’s thoughts work, as well as the process to get those thoughts on paper, and the highs and lows of it all. I related so much to that part.
She’s so down-to-earth, I imagine a lot of people who read her book discover this feeling of shared humanity. And her overtures in connection and vulnerability are the perfect backdrop to the theme of “open boxes.” We are not to compartmentalise our own lives, and we shouldn’t close off from others who don’t seem at first glance to be like us. (That’s me reading her message between the lines).
Organ’s faith took a different path than mine, and this was the only part that I didn’t connect to – the universal unitarian aspect of religion that the author believes in. You guys who know me, know that I’m fundamental when it comes to scriptures (but very liberal when it comes to love). I wrestled in my faith to get to that point, and this issue of all roads lead to the same happy ending was a mild distraction for me. But I’m expressing this more as an afterthought – trying to give a really honest opinion of the book – not say it as a deterrent to reading it. I was always grateful when my “non-religion” or “other-religion” friends and readers would read my memoir, with its strong undercurrent of faith, and still find the connection – still love me anyway. Organ’s words deserve that too.
With the author there’s lots to love. You get the sense that you would be good friends if you only lived nearby. Her struggles are relatable – sometimes funny, sometimes making you tear up in sympathy. I actually quoted from the book. When a friend came to me for help in getting her anger under control, I told a story in which Organ responded with such grace and gentleness to an acerbic, impossible person. (This is my understanding based on her description of the event – not the author tooting her own horn). I shared about what a difference it made to someone who had witnessed the entire exchange when she remained full of grace. My friend was inspired to speak more gently to people, based on the story.
I also remembered the book when I was out with my son’s class at a “tree museum.” I was tempted to feel anxious about being stuck on a class trip for several hours (I’ll never win Parent of the Year), but instead I prayed to find wonder in the experience. That day, the entire class of 6-year olds scattered all across the meadow with their paper and pencils to sketch the trees. And I sat down and did the same. I felt six again. 🙂 I felt … wonder.
I would quote phrases from the book for you if it were convenient to cut and paste the quotes that struck me. Instead, I’ll just say that any book that makes you smile or tear up, that you use as an example for someone seeking advice, that you remember in a moment when you want to direct your own thoughts higher; any book in which you’re struck by a turn of phrase that’s particularly lovely so that it stays with you … this is the kind of book you can recommend. This is the kind of book that’s worth reading.
I was given a copy of Open Boxes in exchange for a review. Clearly no one else told me what I should write.
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I know I’ve been posting a lot this week. All sorts of renewed blogging energy while I sort out my plans for my book. BUT. I was also featured on BonBonBreak with an original post on the future of small bloggers. (Like me). I’d love for you to read it – HERE!
