The Light We Carry, by Michelle Obama

A book about humanness. How we struggle with feeling we're "enough." If you've ever struggled to keep doubt from consuming you, this book helps immensely. From self-doubt to doubting the future of a country or the goodness of a neighbor, Michelle O. seems to get it. 

I didn't buy this book, it was a gift. To be honest, I wasn't sure what else Flotus could say - I'd read her first book. What else?? Turns out, this book reveals Flotus' tool kit for getting through the unbearable. Endless pandemic and worry and self-doubt and grief and feeling "not enough." 

This book has the best essay on Friendship I've ever read. It's the essay I've been looking for, and it led to an epiphany - one I'm uber grateful for. If you know me, you'll see me in those pages. It sounds so simple to say that different people approach friendship differently. But this chapter helped me, for the first time, to understand my own style of approaching (and valuing) each friend. Imho, very often, our style has to do with family size and birth order. As an "only" (only child syndrome due to spacing...and youngest), I identify with Flotus' visceral need for friends -- that tight circle and the bigger circle of friends. Isn't that the wonder of books?!? Pathways to epiphanies!

The other chapter I loved was on motherhood. You don't have to be a mom - or even want to be a mom - to appreciate this chapter. I found my own mom in this chapter. One particular sentence, I said out loud, "That's (was) my mom!" It had to do with showing her children "enoughness." Always glad to see us walk in the room. My mom had that gift. 

Offering "enoughness" is what we're called to offer each other in this crazy mixed-up world. I love that message so much. 

The chapter on "The Power of Small" is, for me, a refresher course. A reminder of the power of completing small projects (eg, crafts, painting, gardening, etc). In a world where the problems threaten to overwhelm us -- eg, the loss of a spouse, parent, child, beloved friend -- we can (we must try to) focus on "small." Small joys. Find small moments for gratitude. A phone call or text from a loved one. An ice cream cone on a hot day. The sunshine in winter. The beauty of a flower. Beauty is all round. Life is short, we must try to find beauty each day...in sometimes really small ways.