Frances Hodgson Burnett: Everything is Made out of Magic
Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"... "It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine... " - Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Secret Garden
If you've lived through the long winter, had a few coughs and colds and one too many slippery, white-knuckled drives to work, you may have forgotten about spring. Oh, of course you know it's coming - the calendar tells you it's arrival will be March 20, so even if there is snow on the ground, you know in your heart and mind that spring is on the way. What you may have forgotten is how the fresh spring air smells, and how truly delightful it is too see little green sprigs of tulips, crocuses and daffodils pushing through the earth to reach the sun's rays. Even now, as I look out my window, I see a bit of greenery pushing through the snow. Yes, spring is coming, never fear.
For the past week, I've been listening to an audio version of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This story will make you long for spring and stir long-stowed memories of childhood discoveries. Mary, Dickon and Colin have been my companions on these still-chilly morning drives and little by little, I've grown fond of them. They've reminded me to look at nature in detail, be still, watch the squirrels play, breathe deep and warm my face in the sun. They've reminded me to try new experiences, to treasure little moments and to be thankful for renewed hope and small blessings. It's all in the magic of good thoughts and fresh beginnings.
Colin says, in The Secret Garden, "Sometimes since I've been in the garden I've looked up through the trees at the sky and I have had a strange feeling of being happy as if something was pushing and drawing in my chest and making me breathe fast. Magic is always pushing and drawing and making things out of nothing. Everything is made out of magic, leaves and trees, flowers and birds, badgers and foxes and squirrels and people. So it must be all around us. In this garden - in all the places."
So remember the magic of spring and trust that it will soon be here. If you've never read The Secret Garden, or haven't in a long time, it's a nice time of year to do so. Share it with your children, or read it aloud to your students. The language is rich, the Yorkshire accents are marvelous. Frances Hodgson Burnett, through her lovely descriptive writing, will remind you of the promise of spring, fresh beginnings, and the magic of new experiences.
Born: England, November 24, 1849
Died: New York, October 29, 1924
Additional Works: Little Lord Fauntleroy (November 1885 to October 1886), The Little Princess, 1905.
For the past week, I've been listening to an audio version of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This story will make you long for spring and stir long-stowed memories of childhood discoveries. Mary, Dickon and Colin have been my companions on these still-chilly morning drives and little by little, I've grown fond of them. They've reminded me to look at nature in detail, be still, watch the squirrels play, breathe deep and warm my face in the sun. They've reminded me to try new experiences, to treasure little moments and to be thankful for renewed hope and small blessings. It's all in the magic of good thoughts and fresh beginnings.
Colin says, in The Secret Garden, "Sometimes since I've been in the garden I've looked up through the trees at the sky and I have had a strange feeling of being happy as if something was pushing and drawing in my chest and making me breathe fast. Magic is always pushing and drawing and making things out of nothing. Everything is made out of magic, leaves and trees, flowers and birds, badgers and foxes and squirrels and people. So it must be all around us. In this garden - in all the places."
So remember the magic of spring and trust that it will soon be here. If you've never read The Secret Garden, or haven't in a long time, it's a nice time of year to do so. Share it with your children, or read it aloud to your students. The language is rich, the Yorkshire accents are marvelous. Frances Hodgson Burnett, through her lovely descriptive writing, will remind you of the promise of spring, fresh beginnings, and the magic of new experiences.
Born: England, November 24, 1849
Died: New York, October 29, 1924
Additional Works: Little Lord Fauntleroy (November 1885 to October 1886), The Little Princess, 1905.
Comments
Post a Comment