"Your sacred space is where you can find yourself over and over again." Joseph Campbell
I have been thinking about sacred spaces. Do you have a space that feels sacred? A place where you instantly feel at ease?
Before I dive head long into that thought, I know this coming weekend is Christmas, and I also understand how busy everyone is right now. Just know that I am grateful if you take a coffee or tea break and read my latest musings here, and/or the last installment of “Christmas and Tchaikovsky” on Friday.
But back to sacred spaces; the older I get, the more I crave quiet. If my schedule has been packed with a lot of communication and chaos, I must retreat to a quiet place and recharge my internal battery. Do you ever feel that way? There are two places that immediately help me reset – church and the library.
Interestingly enough, both places require and expect you to adhere to quietness. Our demeanor immediately responds once we walk through the doors. For me, both spaces are sacred. Lest you think I am being sacrilegious, church is holy and the library is cherished.
Yesterday, we made our weekly jaunt to a town nearby. They have a two-story library full of many titles. Sadly, our little library in town just does not compete. (No offense intended, our library is precious.) We drive the thirty minutes only to find the library closed. What?? It can’t be! I decided to call the branch location to inquire. Turns out their heat is broken, and we are experiencing one of the few times of the year that we actually have cool temps. So, after a quick trip across town, I get to walk into my happy place and load up on books. Whew!!!
This reminds me of going to the library as a little girl. I was blessed with a mother who loved to read and instilled in all four of us the importance. At the time, our town library was in a large, old house on Oak. The children’s section had bookcases along the walls under picture windows, with smaller bookcases in the center of the space. A children’s table with chairs was in the corner. I remember crawling on the floor looking through the bookcases under the windows. I would pile up all the books I just HAD to read on the little table and then juggle carrying them up to the check-out counter. The limit back then was around 7-10 books and mother would always have to make me decide what titles in the twenty or so books would make the final cut. It was agonizing for me to choose. This happened every time we went. I would have gone every week if mother would have had the time. I was usually finished with my chosen ten within the first week.
Then, during the summer the library had a Book Mobile that would drive from town to park at our local school. Naturally, the selection was limited, but I found it fun looking for books in a bus! Did you have a Book Mobile?
I feel so sad when I hear someone say they do not like to read. What worlds and wonders they miss out on. During some really difficult times in life, books have been my saving grace, just like the church. It’s not lost on me that the most sacred text we read is at church.
So, I am stocked up for the next two weeks, and Christmas is upon us. We will be celebrating by going to midnight mass on Christmas Eve, and spending Christmas day eating too much, and … reading!
Merry Christmas, everyone! Amid your celebrations, take a quiet moment and breathe, and maybe catch a quick read.
With love,
THCountz
