A Review: Stitches by Anne Lamott

I just finished my first book of summer: Stitches by Anne Lamott.  I have read at least one other book by Lamott as well as a few articles.

This small book, just 96 pages, is well worth the read.  It's subtitle is "A Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair."  And it begins with Newtown.  Is there any meaning to be taken from that tragedy? She asks. "Not yet," as Lamott quotes a friend.

And so through these pages she sits with tragedy.  Finding meaning in that sitting.  Finding meaning in coffee filter creations with the kids on a Sunday morning.  Finding meaning in those wonderfully stories she shares.

"Helping one another stand up in a wind and stay warm" goes a long way, she writes. And "meaning is always going to have to do with love."

Lamott says. "It is not helpful to many people if you say that it's all part of God's perfect plan or that it's for the highest good ... or that more will be revealed," she writes "Because at least for me, if someone's cute position minimizes the crucifixion, it's [b.s.]. Which I say with love."

Go out and read this book!