The Second Journey ~ The Road Back to Yourself by Joan Anderson

Jann recommended this book to me, so I wrote her what I thought about it...Here's my note to her, along with some additional comments:

I wanted to let you know tonight that I ordered both of those Joan Anderson books you mentioned, and The Second Journey came first and I'm almost done with it. I really enjoy it--though, like you, I think a good dose of Relief Society would have helped her a LOT! Or THE GOSPEL. Still, there are parts that resonate.  I'm interested in the first one also, but it hasn't arrived yet. I can imagine that you felt a special connection to this story because of your love of Scotland. That whole island experience is very well described and she quotes a lot of the writers and poets I like, like David Whyte and May Sarton. 

I admire the quest of a woman who has felt somewhat let down after devoting herself to her family. I think our doctrine and our church culture help us find a balance, and help us feel the nobility and importance of this mothering work, and Anderson didn't have that perspective. Also, I think I didn't devote myself to my family to the extent that I ever lost myself. I don't know if that's right or wrong, but I always had plenty of intellectual challenge away from home. It created a lot of guilt and tension, but was probably a good thing overall. And then I think about how two out of our three kids have left the church and wonder if my lack of devotion was a key factor in that. But I feel peace about most of it. Anyhoo, thank you for sharing that read! A good one. Not as deep as many that I read, and I enjoyed the lightness. 

A part that really resonated with me was her struggle to extricate herself from her mother's care. Wow. My sisters are so devoted to my father and yet, my older one is feeling the stress of trying to keep her partner in tow AND care for my dad AND the ranch. Neither Ann nor Jane has really cut loose. They see it as a huge blessing but I know the load can be heavy. Anderson's perspective on this could be seen as selfish, but I don't think so. I think it was her turn to have a life. 

And all of this book struck me as a FIRST WORLD journey. She complains about lack of resources, but let's face it, she's wealthy by most standards, just based on what she is able to do...It's a luxury to have a second journey, that's for sure! And....I would like to take myself on a little retreat. It's been awhile since I've done that sort of thing and I would love it. 

Later--this book is contributing to my thinking about setting a goal and doing it. This woman (above) went to an island in Scotland and hiked. I'd like to train to do something strenuous and challenging. Maybe train now (in Bismarck) and complete it during one of our breaks or as soon as we're done. Leonard is queing up documentaries for us to watch, and they are inspiring too! We watched one about the Barkley Marathon in Tennessee last night and it was fascinating. We like rock climbing docs too!