Byron's Babbles

I still have a few notes and highlights I want to explore, study, and blog about from my reading of The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry. One of the phrases that was used four times throughout the book was, “begin again.” This really resonated with me because of my belief that we are constantly evolving and hopefully growing and improving. I know I am not the same person I was ten years ago, or even a year ago. This made me think back to a conversation I had with Laura Stanifer and Jill Walker while studying one day last month at the Marion E. Wade Center. We were discussing a lecture series I had attended and I made a comment about some things I had learned and formed opinions on since the first lecture in the series in the fall. Laura and Jill commented that I was a different person now than I was in the fall. So true!

Some would push back on me and say we should not change who we are but I would argue we can’t. I would argue we change in some way every day – at least I hope so. It doesn’t mean my core values have changed, but it does mean I am learning and growing every day. Does it mean we are “beginning again?” I am not sure, but I value that idea of being able to begin again.

At the end of the book, Wynnie said, “But also, it’s about finding home. It’s about knowing where you belong and then doing something about that truth. It’s about that sometimes awful and sometimes wonderful journey that can take you in wrong directions, but then being willing to begin again and find your way.” I love this because we all have those sometimes awful moments and those sometimes wonderful moments. Whether our need to begin again and find our way comes from a change in circumstances, an inner yearning to redefine ourselves, or simply the desire to shake things up and keep ourselves relevant, a redefinition can lead to personal growth and enhanced fulfillment in both our personal and professional lives.

“You are not beginning again like a baby – knowing nothing – you are opening to the possibility that there is more to explore, take in, discover, learn, embrace.” ~ Shellen Lubin

As I stated at the beginning of this post, the theme of “begin again” came out in The Story She Left Behind multiple times. I don’t believe Henry wanted us to think about beginning again as fixing something that was broke, but maybe more about reclaiming or reinventing. In this novel, the characters had to make decisions about beginning again for our own journeys.

As the protagonist Clara struggled with her path for beginning again for her and her daughter, Wynnie, she seemed to emphasize renewal, self-discovery, and reinvention rather than fixing something that was broken. Clara’s decisions reflected a courageous step toward reclaiming her identity and embracing new possibilities, which can serve as inspiring lessons for our own journeys. We can view beginning again as an empowering choice to let go of past limitations, redefine our goals, and pursue authenticity. By embracing this mindset, we open ourselves up to growth, healing, and new opportunities, much like Clara does in her story.