Saturday, February 14, 2009

A Three Dog Life

This a very short, quick read--a memoir by Abigail Thomas. She writes about the comfort her dogs provide her as she deals with her husband's tragic accident that results in traumatic brain injury and forever changes his personality. It's well-written, but I wanted more about the dogs. Sounds cynical, but I just couldn't get into her angst. One outstanding passage, though, really clicked with me:

"The future was also the place where the bad stuff waited in ambush. My children were embarking on their futures in fragile vessels, and I trembled. I wanted to remove obstacles, smooth their way, I wanted to change their childhoods. I needed to be right all the time. I wanted them to listen to me, learn from my mistakes, and save themselves a lot of grief. Well, now I know I can control my tongue, my temper, and my appetites, but that's it. I have no effect on weather, traffic, or luck. I can't make good things happen. I can't keep anybody safe. I can't influence the future and I can't fix up the past.
"What a relief."

Trouble is, I don't think I'm there yet.

1 comment:

  1. Hey, I've read this! In fact, I borrowed it from Jess and completely forgot to take it to her when I went to her house yesterday. I liked it. Cried on page 11. No more crying after that. I did think there would be more about the dogs. The title is maybe a bit misleading.

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