Reading A Book of a Thousand Days

Coming to a tropical island while my mid-western home is surrounded by snow has so many benefits, especially when each morning I'm greeted by the happiest 4 children I've ever met in the early hours of dawn!
They begin their day before the sun peeks over the mountains and only drop when the mid-day schedule requires their little bodies to rest on their beds or it's night time again.


There is hardly time for leisure, personal reading, and never a quiet moment to just stare at the ocean, but I've enjoyed the laughter and play a wonderful beach and sunny days offer children.

I'm so busy with these 4 all day or else, I'm trying to be helpful to one very busy set of parents who are not only running a household, but schooling their kids, holding contacts as a priority and beginning a business that requires hours of reading and computer. I think I've fallen into bed each night very exhausted while their lights still burned over a desk or two, but I also feel exhilarated and happy to have so much time just to love my family.

Once bedtime arrives,  I've tried to set aside time to just read for pleasure. Although you may be surprised by this statement - I'm thrilled to find so many English printed books available for the family! The reason for my thrill is because a former home didn't have such wonderful benefits and resources.
I browsed the bookcases and found several books to add to my summer reading list, but this one was handed to me as a good read when returned by a co-worker. My daughter's shelves have become a "lending library" but this one looked too good to just put back on the shelf. I read it in 3 days!
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale is written as a journal by a servant girl who took an oath to serve her genteel "lady"completely and wholeheartedly. She begins her journal scared and huddled in a totally bricked-in tower, imprisoned with her "lady", with not even a window to show her blue sky to her. She took in her surroundings and situation, evaluated the blessings she was given, took stock of supplies on hand to serve her "lady" and then, planned how to get through the banishment hoisted upon her by the choices of others.

Her journal keeping allowed me to see into the depths of her thoughts, struggles and personal victories, but most of all, see the real young servant's heart. I was so impressed at how natural her thoughts of servitude flowed, even when circumstances threatened to squeeze the very life from her. I was amazed at her unquestioning submission and obedience to those who were to be served, but I also chuckled when she realized how simplistic and normal gentry really were in their private lives. Her gentle and fore-bearing spirit forgave their flaws so quickly which to me made her the genteel lady of grace.
I liked how she thought through the commands, clarifying right or wrong, and made choices of right for her own personal life.

Photo snapped of page 289 

In all her trials, she never lost her own personal heart integrity. She struggled when 'gentry' forced her to lie for them, yet did so because she lived under their command. When commands made her cross her own boundaries of rightness, she endeavored to make her actions right in some little way, without hurting or displaying the faults of
the ones that had crossed the lines by their commands.

I'm glad she was loved but even more so, I was relieved to read that she realized how much she was loved and appreciated for her loyalty, sacrificial giving and her love of others.

It was a pleasure to peek into this precious young life's journal.