Speaking Volumes

Note: The book I offered in this post, Chicken Soup for the Traveling Soul, has found a new home.

I usually read a story from Chicken Soup for the Soul each morning. I really enjoy the volumes that celebrate a specific subject and am coming to the end of Chicken Soup for the Traveler's Soul. This collection features inspirational stories about the spirit of adventure and wanderlust that travel brings and is a subject dear to my heart.

Peach Jam by Steve Zikman gave me pause for thought. While backpacking in Africa, Steve carried small supplies of food for the times he couldn't find anything to eat. Things like canned spaghetti, crackers, peanut butter and jam. In a small market he found a treasured jar of peach jam. You could almost always find strawberry jam, apricot jam, but this was the first time a prize like peach jam was found. Over the next few weeks, every time Steve needed a treat, out came the jar, in dipped the spoon and he was in heaven. On one particularly awful cold and dreary afternoon, he was waiting for a bus. He was miserabl and then it started to drizzle and soon the drizzle turned into a torrential downpour. Wet to the bone, he found shelter in a makeshift hut, which was also occupied by an old woman. Together they waited out the storm. Reaching into his pack for some dry clothes, he forgot his precious jar of jam; it smashed to the ground into pieces. Self pity descended. But then out of the corner of his eye he sees the old woman looking at him, looking at the jam, and finally without hesitation, she picked up the intact part of the jar. Dipping in two fingers, she scooped out a glob of jam and put it in her toothless mouth and grinned. Spitting out slivers of glass, she continued until every bit of jam was gone. The weather improved, she started to leave. Steve reached into his sack of goodies and offered her more of his bounty. She accepted. As Steve drove away, he could see the old woman sharing his gift with her grandson.

Stories like these remind me of how much I have, and how little I have to complain about. When I shop this Sunday I'm going to purchase my own jar of peach jam to set on my shelf. I know I won't be perfect. I'll still complain and hold a pity party some days. But if I see the jam, perhaps I'll be reminded of my truly good life.

   I'd love to share this book with you. I'll give Chicken Soup for the Traveler's Soul to the first person who asks. Email me at ckubala@columbiactlibrary.org  with Peach Jam in the subject.
If you live in Columbia, you can stop by the library to pick it up. If not, provide an address and I'll be happy to put it in the mail.
 
I'll post back a short note as soon as the book has a new home.