Caleb, Martin, and Ove

I have a confession. The move from Parkesburg to Boothwyn took its toll on me. From the time we sold the house in August of last year until April of this year, I had not read or written anything. After the second stroke and until the sell, I had read six books written by Mitch Albom, and a trashy bathroom novel. Seven books in seven months - slowly but surely! Packing the home in Parkesburg, looking for a new home, moving, unpacking, celebrating Christmas, and three months of doing things other than reading and writing were sad distractions...and what a crime to abandon blogs and books (save the trashy one!) Now, I'm blogging again slowly, and I read three books slowly, after the hiatus.

I lived in Parkesburg for twenty-nine years. My children grew up there, I worked there, I churched there, I met many good people there that I call friends, and met even more good people that I call acquaintances. This young man is one of the latter, a funeral director from Parkesburg. He writes a blog called Confessions of a Funeral Director. The collection of blogs are unique in that the subject is death. I didn't really want to read about death, but some time ago I stumbled upon a humorous cartoon about death shared by George Takei on Facebook, and subsequently also shared by Caleb Wilde on his blog. I've read the blog often...because it is short and concise, intelligent, humorous and heartwarming. I have seen Caleb at a couple of funerals, then I introduced myself to him at the YMCA where my granddaughter was taking swimming lessons. I told him that I was a fan of the blogs. Another time, we were getting haircuts at the same time.  I told him again that I was a fan of the blogs. Lame on my part, but I wanted to tell him anyway. He humored me and was so cordial.

In May, after the break of reading, the first book read was by Caleb Wilde, Confessions of a Funeral Director: How the Businesss of Death Saved My Life. I had to return to reading. We bought the book, and I read slowly. I reread - slowly. For several weeks, more than a month, the author was my best friend as I slowly finished the book.

I connected to the book right away. In the first chapter there was a story about a family, two children and an aunt and uncle, that died tragically. I was working in the local elementary school where the children were schooled. We felt the impact of the incident. I connected right away with the story and with Caleb's anxiety because I suffered from anxiety throughout my life, most recently after my second stroke. Both of those connections were enough to carry on with my reading. I did not know the hours people like Caleb work. I did not know that he works with all phases of a funeral, from the call to get the deceased until he leaves the cemetery after the funeral. I had my phone next to me to look up words like trocar and how you use it. The morgue will not be visited by me any time soon! The personal stories from his childhood with his family in the funeral home, to the birth of his son: all were beautiful. The book is different than anything I've ever read. I think about death often: from my deceased family members to my own mortality, especially with my medical history. Caleb examines his confessions with humor, poignancy, warmth, and compassion.

A Man Called Ove was recommended to me after I revealed that I like stories that had a curmudgeon as the main character. I looked for it at the library to no avail, and forgot about it. Then, while I was reading Caleb's book, I stumbled upon the book at a church flea market. This was my next read. 

Ove was a curmudgeon. Nice! He was 59. Pretty close! He was a technological illiterate. Yup! Most of the time there was snow on the ground where he was. Humbug! He was always doing something. Yup! He was a little annoyed with the next generation with rules that are not followed. I understand! He is annoyed with his neighbors. Not always, but sometimes! His past is poignant. He had a wife who died, and we visit Ove's past to know what Sonja was like and what Ove thought of her.  Ove wanted to die. He wanted to be with her. He tried multiple times to die, but there was always something to foil his plans. This is a tale of life, love, living, and learning after death...Sonja's death. 

I wanted to read more every day to find the unraveling of the mind of a curmudgeon. This is my favorite fiction book to date! I pictured myself playing Ove in the movies. I love the musing and redemption that resulted in a less surly man. Netflix is playing the movie. I tried to view the trailer of the movie. It was Swedish with English subtitles...the difference in language was not my friend.  Netflix has been my friend with viewing English subtitles with English dialogue, but I didn't get through the trailer. I can see the scenery and the people in the trailer, and I think this will be a goal to read the subtitles faster and ultimate enjoy the movie.

Caleb and Ove have solidified the quest for reading for me. Now it was time to read I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short. I love comedy. The title alone would tell me that this 'humble comedy legend' has anecdotes for the years on television, Broadway, and the movies. But there was more. Martin Short has told the story of his life: his family beginnings, his famous funny friends, his wife and children and more.

Martin Short has told of his life, both the comedy and the tragedy, honestly and with grace. The friends and family members, especially his wife, that have died have, hit hard for Martin but their memory is still alive. Those who survive are cherished. Love, laughter, and being alive are the name of the game. 

I guess these guys have impacted my thinking, these authors and that character: Caleb, Martin, and Ove. I have been enriched. I've know that death can be terrible, but there is good, as this three works demonstrated.   I have enjoyed all of these titles. 

Picture this: a beautiful morning; a porch looking out at a yard that I don't have to mow; and a small forest beyond that; a good book; a cup of coffee; and a special bookmark given to me by my wife Jackie when my sister Janet passed away nine years ago. I have read...slowly! I have written...slowly!

I'm going to miss these works. I have grown fond of these guys. I know that the next author on tap, W. Bruce Cameron, has a curmudgeon within the story, A Dog's Purpose. I know that this will be as engaging as Caleb, Martin, and Ove!