OUR BATHROOM WALL is starting to look like Bartlett’s book of quotations.
Pinned at one end is a reminder from Confucius: “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
Not far away sit a few words from Washington Irving: “Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes, but great minds rise above them.”
Smack in the middle are a few anonymous words, as powerful as any: “This, too, shall pass.”
The quotes were Heather’s idea. This year has been something of an emotional roller-coaster for my wife: an uncle dying, a sister getting married, one chronic illness coming under control while another one attempts to take off, and even a series of unexplained pains and mystery allergies. It’s been exhausting for her, physically and emotionally.
And so, like any Rochat family member, when the going got tough, she hit the books. Any quote, any comment, any song lyric she could find was fair game. Anything that reminded her that someone had stood where she was and then moved on.
Dorothy Parker was joined by Cat Stevens. Theodore Roosevelt has taken a place in line, along with his niece, Eleanor. The population is still light but it’s growing quickly, like the first few raindrops before a gullywasher.
I love it. I just wish I’d thought of it myself.
Every writer knows the power of the right word at the right time. And every person, writer or not, has somebody’s words to go to for comfort or inspiration.
A co-worker of mine always used to put on Joni Mitchell’s “Court and Spark” album each fall to help her get through the season.
I’ve been known to draw hope from “Godspell” sheet music and cure homesickness with J.R.R. Tolkien and John Denver.
Passages from the Bible, quotes from Mark Twain, even lines from a Bob Dylan album can provide solace or understanding at an unexpected moment.
Words have power.
Matt Jones understands that, too.
Most of you probably remember Matt. He discovered he had leukemia about four years ago while studying at Emporia State University. He faced that challenge with faith, courage and transplanted bone marrow. As of Mother’s Day, he’s been cancer-free for about two years.
He could have chosen to close the door on that part of his life and never look back. Many would have. Instead he became a motivational speaker and an author. Matt decided that even his pain had a purpose and he began looking for ways to help others through the rough patches in their lives.
Everyone at some point has a hell they go through, he told me. Some look bigger or smaller on the outside, but they’re all gigantic from the inside. All have to be faced and dealt with. His book’s title summarizes his own approach: “Going through hell? Don’t stop!”
He’s put his words to work.
It doesn’t take surviving cancer to do it either. SuEllen Fried and her daughter Paula recently came to town to speak on bullying. One of the most important things you can do, they said, is talk to a victim and let them know someone cares.
“For one person to say, ‘You don’t deserve to be treated that way’ is like water to a thirsty person,” SuEllen said.
Most of us aren’t philosophers or authors or former First Ladies. But all of us can encourage. We all have the power to lend a few heartfelt words to those who need them.
Do it. Do it every chance you get.
Your words may not get thumbtacked to the bathroom wall. But they may get imprinted on someone’s heart.
Not even Bartlett’s can top that.
Scott Rochat’s e-mail address is rochat@emporiagazette.com.