Post by TriciaF on Apr 14, 2004 21:50:51 GMT -5
Hi friends,
I just read a wonderful book; The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. I HIGHLY recommend it. But...what I came here to say, I found in an appendex to the book; a question and answer session with the author. Her answer relates to the book and the characters she created, but to ME, she could have been writing about Unomas and explaining why it has such awesome power and meaning for so many of us. I just had to share it. Here is the question and the response:
Question: How does having a sisterhood of women make a difference? Have you experienced such a community?
Answer:
Isak Dinesen, who wrote Out of Africa, once said, " All sorrows can be borne if we put them in a story or tell a story about them." Ever since I first read that line, I've carried it with me. When women bond together in a community in such a way that "sisterhood" is created, it gives them an accepting and intimate forum to tell their stories and have them heard and validated by others. The community not only helps to heal their circumstances, but encourages them to grow into their larger destiny. This is what happened to Lily. She found a sanctuary of women where she could tell her story, and have it heard and validated--an act that allowed her not only to bear her sorrow but transform it.
I have been part of several communities of women over the years. Each of them was created simply because we wanted a place to tell our deepest stories. In every case we found that there is a way of being together that sustains us and now and then, if we are lucky, returns us to ourselves.
Sue Monk Kidd
I just read a wonderful book; The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. I HIGHLY recommend it. But...what I came here to say, I found in an appendex to the book; a question and answer session with the author. Her answer relates to the book and the characters she created, but to ME, she could have been writing about Unomas and explaining why it has such awesome power and meaning for so many of us. I just had to share it. Here is the question and the response:
Question: How does having a sisterhood of women make a difference? Have you experienced such a community?
Answer:
Isak Dinesen, who wrote Out of Africa, once said, " All sorrows can be borne if we put them in a story or tell a story about them." Ever since I first read that line, I've carried it with me. When women bond together in a community in such a way that "sisterhood" is created, it gives them an accepting and intimate forum to tell their stories and have them heard and validated by others. The community not only helps to heal their circumstances, but encourages them to grow into their larger destiny. This is what happened to Lily. She found a sanctuary of women where she could tell her story, and have it heard and validated--an act that allowed her not only to bear her sorrow but transform it.
I have been part of several communities of women over the years. Each of them was created simply because we wanted a place to tell our deepest stories. In every case we found that there is a way of being together that sustains us and now and then, if we are lucky, returns us to ourselves.
Sue Monk Kidd
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