The Help

I love a good book...

one you can't put down...
one that breaks your heart with such intensity you can almost hear it...
one that makes you feel the the bitter edge of anger & injustice like a stinging cut...
one that elicits tears of compassion...
one that makes you feel as though you are there with your cold glass bottle of coke in your hand...
one that makes you grin with the sweetness of revenge...
one that makes you feel a mother's tender love in your arms...

Kathryn Stockett reached inside my heart and mind &

brought me into the heat of the south during the Civil Rights Movement...

Held me captive into the wee hours of the morning until I could go to bed, rest assured knowing that Aibileen, Minny, & Skeeter were safe until I could pick it back up the next day.

Made me feel the warm sun on my skin & filled my ears and heart with a child's laughter playing in a baby pool, capturing the essence of the most precious fleeting moments of a summer day.

Made me value every aspect of my relationship with my mother.

Made me smile and laugh sitting among strangers at the airport.

Made me stop and think.

Made me pick up my kids and snuggle love them harder and tell them
they are smart, they are beautiful, they are important.