Don’t Be Afraid of the DARK

Doesn’t it just figure that Maurice Sendak would bow out during Children’s Book Week?

As I read through a number of obits and tributes yesterday, I was struck by some news that we can all use.

Apparently this talented writer and artist, who delivered delight to so many childhoods, had a dreadful one of his own. In fact, in one interview he said the best way to describe his childhood was “D-A-R-K.”

First off, he was a very sickly kid who spent most of his time in bed. This was in the midst of The Great Depression, which made the outside world pretty grim, as well. On top of all that, stability wasn’t a big part of the Sendak family plan. Maurice reported that his family moved often. Why? Because his mother could not bear the smell of fresh paint. Every time a landlord wanted to spruce up the place, they had to go. Of course, Mom’s “instability” made life difficult in other ways, too. Then World War II came along, and the Sendaks were driven even further into despair as many of their European relatives perished in the Holocaust.

Yes, that is D-A-R-K.

And my heart goes out to the little Maurice who lived through it.

It makes you wonder what one does with darkness like that.

Well, here’s what Maurice did…

From the confines of his bed, he honed his drawing skills. Chaos and darkness surrounded him, but he held fast to bright dreams of a better life. Then he used the darkness itself to transform into something completely different – a Caldecott Medal winner.

Remember those monsters in Where the Wild Things Are? Maurice says they were all inspired by the batty family members who “hovered like a pack of middle-aged gargoyles” over his childhood sickbed.

DARKNESS.

We all have it.

It’s how we use it that counts.

Many years ago, I had a foot stuck in my own bit of darkness. So I wrote out a little wish.

Funny thing, that little wish went on to be published a couple of times and has even found its way into the blogs of folks I’ve never met. Apparently, other people have this little wish, too.

Now, I want to wish it for you,

as a way through

those times that are D-A-R-K…

Bless my time in darkness

that it may simply be

a waiting within

a chrysalis.

And I will emerge

anew

with the warmth of the sun

to dry my wings.

PROMPT: If you’ve got life, you’ve got darkness. But never, never, never forget – it can always be used to create something beautiful.