"When dreariness and fear threaten to overwhelm
me I shall remember this letter and say to myself,
'Take heart my child. As long as you can bring a little
delight or comfort into the lives of others life is worth living.' "
The Selected Journals of Lucy Maud Montgomery,
Volume V, Sept 24, 1938
Tomorrow—November 30th—marks Lucy Maud Montgomery's 150th birthday. Today's post wraps up the series I've been writing in celebration of this amazing woman and what her life and work have meant to me over the years. I thought about closing with a list of 150 reasons why I appreciate this author. But that felt rather daunting, both for me to write it and for you to read it, so here is a tithe's worth of that longer list. Hope you enjoy.
15 Reasons Why I Love and Appreciate Lucy Maud Montgomery1. I was nine years old, in Grade Four, when I first 'met' Anne spelled with an 'E'. After lunch, our teacher would settle the class down by reading a chapter or two to us. I was enchanted and could hardly wait to hear more the next day. Little did I realize that having been introduced to Anne of Green Gables in elementary school, this chapter book would one day lead me to a lifetime admiration of the story's author.2. Having been born and raised in Canada myself, I loved that Anne and her creator were also Canadian - from Prince Edward Island, on the other side of the country. It made me proud.3. I fell in love with Anne's phrase 'kindred spirits' and secretly searched for my own bosom buddy. Anne discovered, as did I, "Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world." Yes, it is! And I have met many of them right here in blogland. And I did eventually find a dear bosom buddy or two, too.
4. Lucy Maud gave me heroines in my girlhood who were so real and alive to me. From Anne Shirley and Diana Barry to Emily of New Moon, I learned about friendship and getting along with people, dealing with life's disappointments, and taking joy in the little things in my small world.
5. First, it was the storybook heroines who captured my imagination. Later, it was Lucy Maud herself who became my inspiration and mentor from afar as I began making my way in life, trying to figure out how I could live a beautiful life, and live it well.
6. I loved discovering that Lucy Maud and I shared interests in things domestic, gardens, kitty cats, beauty in nature, and books.
7. I think it was Lucy Maud who 'gave' me permission to allow myself to take real enjoyment in the beauty of the world around me, and that it was okay to have pretty items which brought joyful pleasure to my life. It wasn't being frivolous.8. I appreciated learning that Lucy Maud enjoyed both solitude and the society of others. I think that's when I recognized that I, too, enjoyed spending time in my own company as well as taking pleasure in those companionable times with family and friends. I needed both to flourish.9. Her novels, poetry, autobiography (The Alpine Path, The Story of My Career), and published journals drew me into her world—a world she described in fiction and nonfiction. Even giving me a glimpse of my grandmother's era, who was born in the mid-1890s on the Canadian Prairies.
10. Lucy Maud gave me a glimpse into a writer’s life - her struggles as well as her joys and triumphs. This ignited something within me that hitherto had lain dormant. I began to dream about writing just like LMM. She would become my literary hero.
11. I took a more active interest in poetry after reading a book of her published poems and even attempted writing a few from time to time. I enjoyed the experience. Still do.
12. Because of Lucy Maud, I began what would become a life-long joy in journaling. Learning to express myself in my journals was great practice for when I'd start writing to an audience of more than one, like here on my blog. I'm about to start Journal #193. Old volumes are stuffed in boxes stacked in the closet. I have revisited some journals - I use them as reference material for memoir writing.
Of all the wonderful quotes from which I could choose to wrap this series, here is one that is starred in my old copy of Anne of the Island: "There is so much in the world for us all if we only have the eyes to see it, and the heart to love it, and the hand to gather it to ourselves—so much in men and women, so much in art and literature, so much everywhere in which to delight, and for which to be thankful."13. I'm grateful for the many marvelous quotes we have that are attributed to Lucy Maud. She gave me words and lines to which I could pin my own thoughts and desires, including the familiar, hopeful words, "Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it." Written directly into my notebooks for future reference, I cannot recall how often her wisdom buoyed, comforted, and gave me courage.
14. Lucy Maud's descriptions both in her novels and journals let me feel the thrill of her delight in the world's beauty around her. Who hasn't loved Anne describing, via the author's pen, her joy in the apple blossoms in spring, the full moon in a winter sky, or the softness of a kitty purring on a lap. I started to pay attention to my world, to notice the details, and then describe them in the Lucy Maud style.
15. Through her writing, Lucy Maud showed her readers how she felt about her own life. She shared her joys and her many sorrows. I believe her candidness gave me the courage to explore with honesty my own fears and ups and downs.
I lift my glass of bubbly to Lucy Maud Montgomery. An extraordinary woman - an author of whom we can be proud. I am glad for the delightful stories she wrote that so many of us still enjoy. I'm filled with gratitude for her mentorship from a bookshelf, and I'm so, so thankful for her life well lived. She was a lovely role model, and I am forever indebted to her. Happy 150th birthday to one of my favourite people.
❦
Next week we'll be well into December with Christmas full steam ahead.
(As I write, the sun glimmers off snowy rooftops set against pale blue skies.)
Until then, I wish you beauty and grace.
Brenda
Photo credits:
(Top) Image by Slava_web-designer from Pixabay
My December schedule:
I post on Fridays
What a beautiful tribute to LMM!
ReplyDeleteHer impact on the world is truly extraordinary!
Thanks, Margie! An extraordinary woman, indeed.
DeleteWhat a wonderful example of how one's short time on this mortal coil (in a physical body) is never the end! LMM's legacy lives on; I think she might be surprised if she could catch a glimpse of the world now and see how far her influence has extended to many generations. I'll join you in that glass of champagne and say, Happy birthday, dear Maude, and cheers to many more!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy. Her legacy lives on, indeed.
DeleteI have so enjoyed reading your posts about Lucy Maud Montgomery. She has been an inspiration in my life, too. I tried to think of when I was first introduced to Anne and I cannot remember. Perhaps around the same age as you. These days while I've been resting more I re-read The Doctor's Sweetheart, a collection of short stories. Lucy Maud was a great observer of human nature, the good and the bad, and she wrote about all of it with grace.
ReplyDeleteYou have written 15 lovely reasons that I can heartily agree with. Many thanks.
And Happy Birthday to Lucy Maud!
PS. When I visited her grave on PEI in the summer of 2023 I was a wee bit saddened by the inscription on the headstone.
Rev. Ewan MacDonald 1870-1943
Lucy Maud Montgomery MacDonald, wife of Ewan MacDonald 1874-1942
I was glad that her maiden name under which she wrote, was included, but nothing about her being a beloved author. Such were the times.
It is too bad, Lorrie, that there seemed no recognition; as you say, such were the times. I think it was similar for Jane Austen's gravesite. Little reference on it to her remarkable writing life. Thanks for your lovely note.
DeleteI hardly know how to comment, Brenda. These posts have been so heartening, inspiring, and lovely.
ReplyDeleteI too enjoyed and still enjoy LMM's writing, including her journals. My tattered old, much-read and much-loved Anne books sit on my shelf in easy view from my desk. Her characters were so true to life and engaging, and I think that's what I love most in her writing. I hadn't thought about it before, but maybe that's why I love the forming of characters in my own writing.
You've given me so much more to ponder about LMM than I had before - as it pertains to my own writing. Thank you for bringing us all along on your month long tribute to a wonderful author. I lift my glass along with you. Happy 150th, Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Oh thank you, Joy, so happy you enjoyed the series. Thanks for your lovely comments.
DeleteHappy 150th Birthday, dear Lucy<3 and thank-you for your inspiring tribute to her! I remember parting with some precious, hard-earned and limited spending money to but my first copy of Anne of Green Gables. The book is missing its cover but still part of my library<3 She also enchanted/s and inspired/s me with her ageless appeal to beauty and the human plight! Dear Brenda, you do her proud. I'm just finishing up a book by Gladys Taber, Especially Father, then I think its time for some L.M. Montgomery to begin December, winter, Christmas season!
ReplyDeleteJanet, that would have been money well spent, and I love that you still have that original copy even thought the cover is missing. Its well worn tatteredness shows how much it meant to you. Thank you for sharing. xo
DeleteWhat a wonderful quote from Anne of the Island. I'll write it in my journal today! This has been a really good series and I've enjoyed it all! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the series - I certainly had fun musing about it these past few weeks. Thanks, Diane.
DeleteI am going to try to find a copy of her book, and read it. She just isnt, sadly, an author who is known here.
ReplyDeleteIf you aren't successful, I'll send you a copy of Anne of Green Gables. The girl in you will be charmed by it.
DeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts about Lucy Maud Montgomery through this series. I have learned new things about her and about you! ❤️
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cheryl. I've enjoyed musing for this series about the things I've learned from LMM.
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