Storybook: Chapter 1

The Secret Garden
What a book to start with. This is not what I would call my favorite book, but it is a book that can change my mood rapidly. The book seems to have color. It starts with dull muted colors and slowly as the story progresses the colors change, to rich brown - then a bit of green here and there- then all green - and then green with other colors throughout. It is a beautiful story that makes me sad when I find out others have not read the book and experienced the color change for themselves. How I visually imagine the book is not what this is about, the real question is books that have changed me. This book has and does just that. When I first read this at twelve it had a completely different meaning than it does now. AT that time I was that main character with grumpy mood swings and anger, but through Mary I learned that I could control those mood swings and anger through an outward focus. I try to read the book every year or so during the winter months when it seems that spring will never come. The book reminds me that all the green in the world will return and the dullness will fade into spring. I still see Mary's attitude and try to remind myself about all her trials, but now I have the capacity to empathize with more characters. I understand more why Mr. Cravens does as he does, or Martha acts the way she does. It is a story that I have grown up with. It still has many messages to teach us. I can always become more of a Dixon, but with the curiosity of Martha, and with the courage of Mary, and the love of Susan.