Wednesday, February 09, 2011

What am I going to do with myself now that I've read all of the Harry Potter books?

That's a rhetorical question, of course. But I did read all seven books in January. I think it was within the first three weeks of January, in fact. Yeah, I read fast. And put off doing some things, such as the cleaning that the cleaning lady doesn't. I did have to take periodic breaks (approximately every 17 seconds) during the times Owen was awake so I could read aloud about the Teletubbies or I Feel My Savior's Love or What Should Eddie Pack or bizarre poems that woman who created Baby Einstein apparently found compelling. Believe me, all of those added to my experience immensely.
As when I talked about reading the first book, I know pretty much everyone else has read the series, so I'm not going to dwell on it. But, despite it being the end of the fourth book and not the conclusion, this segment of a Dumbledore speech has stuck with me more than everything else:
"Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Valdemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."
Obviously it's the choice between what is good and what is easy that I've thought about. The specifics of the characters in the book, although interesting in the context of the story, are unimportant. What I'd like to imagine is what would happen if every single person who has read the Harry Potter books took Dumbledore's message to heart in their real lives in their battles against their personal Lord Valdemorts. And if they made the choice to always do what is right and not just what is easy.
Can you imagine how different the world would be?

5 comments:

Sara said...

I hope I'm making good choices!

Susanna said...

Maybe this is the message all the uber-christians are worried about when they try to ban these books. Hmmm... They are addictive, no?

Abby said...

No, the "uber Christians" objected to the witchcraft, not the concept of martyrdom for right and good.

Nicol said...

It certainly would be a very different world!

megan said...

That would make a great FHE discussion and one the kids would get excited about. Your family kids look like they are having a wonderful time in Italy. I love your pictures!
I am involved with e-bay consigning...but not very good at it...I think I was born to spend money..not make it...sadly!
Have a great week!
Megan