I had one of those ‘moments’ today as I passed between the bookcases in the bedroom. It is odd the things that make it through the veneer of calm acceptance. In this case, it was the characters in books… characters I had first met as I snuggled within the circle of my mother’s arms. Characters like Aslan and Reepicheep, whose stories I had read, decades later, to my own sons while I held them too in my arms… creatures to whom I had hoped to introduce my granddaughters too. But, of course, it isn’t really about the characters… it is all about the memories and the love in which they shared.
There is a lot of wisdom in books, and children’s books in particular have always held a place in my heart for the gentle wisdom they hold. Moments of pure gold are scattered through many of the best children’s stories, often missed for what they are when we encounter them as children, only to unfold for us in later years. Yet the stories that gain a hold on our hearts when we are young teach us a great deal… even if we are not aware of it.
They take us on adventures that run the gamut of emotion; facing dragons and monsters, discovering new and magical worlds full of goblins and fear, dread dangers and daring rescues… but they always seem to lead us to the happy ending bathed in light and laughter.
It was C. S. Lewis, the creator of the Narnia stories, who said that a story that could only be read by children was not a good children’s story. This, I think, is true. Often we only realise the full import of what is before our eyes when we read to our own children the tales that once lit our imagination. I for one still read them, though my children are long grown.
I was reminded recently of a passage from The Velveteen Rabbit. Now granted, when applied to the human condition it might not paint a very attractive picture as a proposition. Bits tend to ‘get very shabby’ as the years pass without any outside help, thank you very much, without the prospect of eyes and limbs simply dropping off. On the other hand, looked at from the perspective of, say, a teddy bear that has been hugged and cuddled, cried on, fed jam sandwiches and dragged around by one ear while listening to the secrets of the heart… from that perspective it sounds like heaven.
In the story, the Rabbit is being taught by an old Horse about the magic of becoming Real because of the love toys have been shown. Imagine what it would feel like to be loved so much that “most of your hair has been loved off”. Yet we shouldn’t have to imagine. We are all capable of being loved like that. Most of us know love from parent, friend, sibling, child or partner. Even our pets. We know how it feels. We know what it is to see eyes light up when we walk into a room… and what it is to be the one whose arms are sought in times of fear and sadness.
We can love ourselves too. The self-help books are full of the ways to do this and, though it is not as simplistic as it might seem, it is thing worth doing. That love depends on our ability to accept ourselves as we are, warts and all, as the saying goes. To recognise what needs to change without judging or recrimination. To accept what is good about ourselves too as well as what is not; something that cannot be done until we first learn to know ourselves, understand ourselves and then “…these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
To learn to know ourselves, shabby bits and all, and still accept is a step towards that unconditional love that cannot judge, though it sees true, that accepts without demand, that asks nothing but to be itself and give itself… to be love. You might call this the love of the soul for the child we are in its eyes. You might see it as the higher self, the conscience … it doesn’t matter what words we use, the idea is the same. There is a part of each of us that knows a finer level of being.
There is another love too. Many, myself included, believe in the divine Love of the creation within which we live. A Love that reaches out to us in measure that we reach up to It in awareness. For me, the life I live stems from this source and is therefore an expression of Love itself.
Like the battered bear, or a velveteen rabbit, that is squashed by the building blocks in the toy box, left out in the rain by mistake, forgotten, apparently, or discarded for a while … yet is searched for at night… we are loved. Life can be hard and painful, joyous and bright… and sometimes all at once. Yet if all stems from the source of Love then that too is part of our story, written to teach both our inner child and our adult mind as we ourselves grow and unfold. Woven with love our stories can yet seem to lead us through darkness. But perhaps, as we walk through them carrying the scars of life, we can learn to see them as ‘loved off’ fur and ‘loose joints’ … and know that the more we love and know Love, the closer we get to becoming Real in our own eyes. And “…once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
I can’t always think of a decent comment for your posts, Sue, because your thoughts are to complex and I have to think about them. Know that I do think about them though.
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Thank you, Robbie. I doubt a writer can ask for more than that.
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Reblogged this on Barb Taub and commented:
For Sue with Love. For REAL.
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Thank you for sharing, Barb. x
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Beautiful, Sue x
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Thanks, Steve x
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Love where you mind goes Sue. Mine feels like its been covered in sticky jam thoughts and hugged a little with complex ideas that as Robbie says needs time to be dabbed with the damp sponge of contemplation before I finally understand. Lovely
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Thanks, Geoff… nothing wrong with a little jam when it comes from the right place 😉
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How true. Or honey…
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Or even marmalade… in the case of a London based Bear 😉
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ah indeed, those bears and their sweet teeth
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🙂
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A beautiful reminder about self love. About loving and being loved.
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Thanks, Sadje… wherever we find love is good.
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Indeed. 💜
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Your philosophy is uplifting.
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Thank you, Jane.
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Keep it up. Chasing away the darkness 🙂
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Even darkness has its place… 🙂
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It does, but you can have too much of a good thing 🙂
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Oh yes… moderation can be useful 😉
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🙂
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what an utterly beautiful post, sue –
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Thank you, Beth.
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This is beautiful, Sue. Uplifting and reassuring.
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Thanks, Mary. There is a child in all of us that needs that sometimes.
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Lovely! Children’s books can teach us a lot. I love “The Velveteen Rabbit.” Thanks for posting this!
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Thank you, kay. It is a beautiful book.
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Your definition of love is just right. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe.
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So inspirational and written with such feeling. Lovely xx
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Thank you, Ess. Hugs xxx
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“..real isn’t how we are made, it is a thing that happens you you..”
Deep ponderous questions in there Sue.
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Thanks, Jude. Love should be the simplest thing in the world.
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I have an animal whose fur has been loved off – and stuffing needs replacing…
I enjoyed reading this post. Accepting oneself is a very important lesson. Believing we are real and have value even if others may not think so. It is not an easy lesson, but one we all can learn. I truly believe one must value themselves before they can value others.
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We need to remember that love is not dependant on anything other than itself… we do not need to ‘earn’ or ‘be worthy’ before it can touch our lives.
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Reblogged this on The Light Behind the Story and commented:
From Sue Vincent:
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❤
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This is so lovely Sue, a wonderful enlightenment in times of self-doubt, insecurity and uncertainty.
‘Grandad’ is such a toy that had his fur loved off and love made him whole again with new mittens, feet and nose courtesy of Hubby. Beautiful post. Thinking of you.
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That’s beautiful, Di. What a lovely gift. And yet, Grandad would always have been whole in your heart.
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He still sits on the dressing table in his checkered pants. He was my constant companion growing up.
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There is always one that fills that role 🙂
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I love this post. Something to ponder as we look at life. Thanks for your words of wisdom. Hugs.
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Thank you, Darlene. Hugs xx
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So lovely Sue, it takes me back to my dad reading to me. Makes me feel safe 💜💜
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Those are special memories to cherish ❤
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Yes they definitely are 💜
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❤
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Wonderful ponderings, Sue, as usual. You take a simple observation and get so much thoughtful ideas from it! And I loved the Velveteen Rabbit when I was young – I remember it made me cry.,
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It still makes me cry… and I am glad that it does. I would hate to grow up too much …
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Beautifully written Sue. So sweet.
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Thank you, Penny.
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Beautiful post… I love it!
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Thank you, Tori.
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A beautifully breathtaking post, Sue. It burrowed right into my heart. ❤ ❤
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Thanks, Diana. Children’s tales have a way of doing that. ❤
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That was so lovely. Thank you, Sue.
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Thank you, Wendy.
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Precious words of wisdom… so beautiful! ❤ xo
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Thank you, Bette. ❤
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So many positive and loving reminders here! Thank you for the reminders of childhood lore, the ability to be loved, and the process of learning from both.
– Melanie
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Thaks, Melanie. We all need reminding sometimes.
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So much to take in from your beautiful words of wisdom Sue ❤
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Thank you, Debby ❤
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xx
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life has its ups and downs, but love makes it all worthwhile…
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Every single day.
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Wow…this has left me tearful and wonderous…so much wisdom and love in your words…we were well I was talking about Christmas and making the cake and the pudding very soon…I also mentioned cheese and cake which you taught me and we love it! Hugs xx
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I was debating when to make mine yesterday too, Carol. I even bought myself a ‘baby’ Christmas pud to have for dessert today. Not the same at all… but unless the chemo works, I may not be here for Christmas, so why on arth not? ;D xx
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You should have added a little more brandy, Sue…and yes why not! Christmas can be any day you want to make it…with bells and whistles Hugs xx
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There is yet time for enhancing puddings, Carol…it is only breakfast time here yet 😉 xx
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Yes, it would be as I am 6 hrs in front of you…until clocks change that is…x
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It always tickles me when I speak in ‘real time’ with someone from ‘my future’ 😀 x
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Haha..I never thought of it that way…x
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😀 x
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Technology is a bonus and a curse at times x
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And raises some odd questions too 😉 x
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Doesn’t it just…x
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🙂 x
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Even if it’s your sons reading the stories to your granddaughters, they will Know the threads that connect them to you, and to your parents, and grandparents.
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I know… and my randdaughters already have an’essential reading’ library to grow into, from Seuss to Lewis and everything else I loved 🙂
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I love, LOVE this!! Beautifully and perfectly said, Sue!
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Reblogged this on A Teacher's Reflections and commented:
C.S. Lewis understood the depth of meaning in children’s books. So did Margery Williams, author of “The Velveteen Rabbit.” And, so does Sue Vincent. She still reads children’s books, and so do I. This post gets to the heart of the story for every adult.
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❤
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This is such a beautifully written meditation on the power of love and acceptance. It has brought me to tears.
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, Sue.
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Pingback: Sue Vincent, “A Child’s Tale” | A Teacher's Reflections
I love this post, Sue, it’s so important (and not always easy!) to remember the love that lives inside all of us, that’s connected with the creative power of the Universe.
When I was little one of my teddies was accidentally left out in the rain and ended up losing all her fur. I had a whole collection of teddies, but she was the one I loved best. I was gutted when she accidentally got thrown out with a bundle of clothes that the damp had got into. I still feel sad when I think of her ending up in landfill.
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