So why do I think that Blue should be stealing from Ginny, running away from Ginny, skipping school, burning down her place, having drug parties, etc., etc.? Is it really needful that life be that way? Does my mind require that to escape from the unrealistic label? I bet there are plenty of people out there who do just need the right chances, the right leg-up, the right help to escape the drudge of life. When I write this though some bells go off in my mind, or maybe screeching tires. See that set of thoughts fires “Democrat” rather than “Republican” type labels. It spouts thoughts like “Responsible people are good people.” Thing is, it would seem that optimism for a leg up or right chances would be healthy, godly, even, dare I say it like Christ. Harry Truman is a hero to me. He is a hero to me because of his honesty and truthfulness. He was an offshoot of FDR and a big proponent of help for the disadvantaged.
If I can take that viewpoint then Steel’s book becomes brighter, happier, better. I may become fearful that Blue will throw it all away, but that is different than looking at a Blue and throwing him all away.
Maybe by recognizing that I am more like the people in the book whose realism parallels mine (Charlene and Becky) and not liking what I see I can shift. Jesus spoke a lot of things about shifting.
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