Lessons I Learned From Busy Town

I don’t normally notice the writing prompts provided by WordPress. But today’s jumped out at me, imploring me to give a response. Without question, my favorite book from childhood was What Do People Do All Day? by Richard Scarry.

When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in you life does” – Kathleen Kelly, You’ve Got Mail

This book was not only read to me as a child, it was also my meditative book, the book I poured over and carefully studied on my own, drinking in the humor, the charming details in the illustrations, and the lessons within. I remember it because I learned from it, imprinted from it. Like Meg Ryan’s character quoted, it knit itself into who I am, and taught me some valuable lessons along the way.

Lesson 1 – Explore the Process of Things

I like knowing how things work. I like exploring the why and the how of how things are made, why they do what they do.

As each little step of a process was carefully illustrated in this book, I came to learn that many steps go into the making of something, often behind the scenes. Understanding those steps can have great value. This applies not only to a recipe, or the creation of art, or a hand-crafted item, but also to the process of healing, the process of grief, the seasons of life. In all things, the process can’t be rushed. The steps must be examined.

Lesson 2 – You May Mess Up

Mistakes happen. Stuff goes wrong. One minute you’re happily making plans, implementing your ideas, and the next minute you’ve put a plank through your windshield. Don’t let that set you back for too long. I’m sure Daddy Pig built that bookcase eventually.

Lesson 3 – There’s Always that One Person

The person who careens through life leaving chaos in their wake. The person who says the insensitive thing, the critical comment, the off-hand insult, and then goes their merry way. In real life, online, anywhere. Get out from under the proverbial 20 car pile up and unscramble yourself. Their chaos only matters as much as you let it.

Lesson 4 – Community Matters

As an intervert, it’s easy to try to isolate and fly solo, but throughout my life, I’ve learned that it takes a busy town (and a loving church community, and trusted friends) to face each season of life. Even a pleasant conversation with the lady ringing up my groceries can help get my day back on track. Community can’t be discounted.

Lesson 5 – I Really Like Cats, Bread, and Paper

Some of my favorite pages in What Do People Do All Day were “Where Bread Comes From” and “Wood and How We Use It.” Is it a coincidence that planting seeds and baking good things in my kitchen have become a passion (and the regular subject matter of this journal?) I think not.

And cats. Huckle, by far, helped cement my love for cats.

Oh, and one final lesson. If you add too much yeast to your bread, it can have explosive (but perhaps delicious) results.

Richard Scarry’s Website

Richard Scarry’s Fabulous Instagram Account