Idlewild

When I started working as an Elementary Teacher Librarian, I held a secret shame. Although I loved to read and spent many summer days at our local public library, there were many childhood classics that I had missed reading as I grew up. Books that were pivotal for others just never ended up in my hands, and here I was - about to start a career as a librarian without having completely read the canon of Important Children's Literature. I started slowly reading some of the books I had missed. The first was Anne of Green Gables, and Oh! The joy of reading Anne's breathless lengthy speeches as an adult - I adored the book, and have used the name Idlewild wherever I could since. As someone who loves to wonder at the beauty of the outdoors, the quiet forest where Anne meets with her bosom friend always sounded like a place I would love, and the language reminded me a bit of one of the lines from the famous Mary Oliver poem The Summer Day (I do know how to pay attention, how to ...

Photo by  Andrea Tummons  on  Unsplash I drive to your house. It’s already dark, and my own kids are at home being tucked in by Dad while I deliver soup, ginger candies, a bottle of kombucha and a plant to you. The small rose plant I’m bringing was bought this weekend with S, and she was disappointed to see me taking it away. She offered another plant, daisies, but I reminded her that you like roses best.  I take deep breaths at each red light on the way, not knowing how it will go tonight.  I sit on your bed and you tell me about how your dogs are cuddled up to your stomach most nights, offering their own kind of comfort to the tumour growing there. You never expected to be a dog person you explain, as you pet and play with these little fluff balls. Allowing yourself to be soft and playful with these tiny creatures surprised you.  We talk about your mother and the circumstances of her death. You had a difficult childhood. Abuse...