Further Reflection

After finishing the Jodi Picoult book Nineteen Minutes,  I am reflecting on my own expectations for any book's ending.  I always want the books I read to somehow end "well".   With this one,  I was looking for a "good"  or "satisfactory" ending, whatever that might be.  I was looking for some kind of grace or redemption. {kindness, compassion, forgiveness, mercy}.   The "good" ending I found in this book was simply that the truth came out. Certainly it did not end "well" as most of the characters were forever changed, or in jail, or dead.   But as a reader of this fictitious event,  I was satisfied that what really happened came to light.
Keeping secrets can destroy a person, and in telling the truth, one of the main characters made it possible for her to someday be able to move on with her life.

It was a riveting and thought-provoking novel, dealing with painful social and psychological insight.  It was gut wrenching.

I am going to be more intentional about praying for my sixteen year old granddaughter, soon finishing tenth grade in her high school.  I certainly do not know whether or not she feels like she 'fits in' in school, or is an outsider.   I notice from her Facebook page status that she is in her first relationship.  I suppose I should be happy for her,  but mostly I find that terrifying.

Teenage-hood is hard to navigate in any era.  I know that my own had more than their own share of challenges and woes.    Lord help us!