Of all the books that have shaped my life and grew my love for books, it would be those by Tolkien. I could name a hundred other books that I have loved, that I have learned something from or I have reread, but none as much as those penned by this man. I'm proud to say (okay, and a little embarrassed!) that I have read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy six times. The Hobbit five, and the Silmarillion twice (his other works a scattered handful). I know, I know, nerd. It's fine. ANYWAYS, anyone that has ever gotten caught up in the world of Middle Earth knows what I'm talking about.
What do I love about these books so much? It's hard to put into words. The transformation of the characters alone is something that I could write about many blog posts about. But behind it all lies a magic, lies a promise: and that is hope. It's about believing that the journey is important and your story is worth fighting for. It's about love and heartbreak. It's about the fact that even the smallest act can change the world. You have a story, you have a part. No matter how dark things may look and no matter how many orcs seem to be chasing you. Long after you close the cover of this book, the story stays with you. At least it does with me. And that's what good writing does, it leaves a legacy.
Like any good Tolkien reader, I have my favorite quotes. Stashed away, written on my wall, on post it notes. I hope to put more to pictures, but for now, these two pictures remind me of the journey I'm on. Let's hold on to hope.
