Ginny was not paralyzed by the needs around her
She was able to efficiently help Blue to a point where he had to sink or swim. She was saddened that she could not hold his hand through all things, but not paralyzed thinking about it. She set him up, gave him opportunity, mentored him in things valuable but let him go.
In the camps she did not lock up at the vastness of the needs. She was able to keep going time and time again, even when their convoy came under fire. It is good to realize the limits of one’s abilities while simultaneously not being paralyzed by inadequacies.
Ginny was beginning to be freed from her past
When people go through trying times like the loss of a husband and a child moving on is important but difficult. Ginny has moved on in perhaps a toxic way, but is coming to an escape from those toxicities. When Rupert raises the issue of children Ginny was able to let it be. Her husband’s accidental death came up even thousands of miles from home. She had to face it again, but was able to. It did not flick her into a tailspin.
I do feel that I would take issue with Steel’s crafting Ginny as one whose problems “cease to exist” when her life is down to the basics, its most rudimentary. I don’t feel that is entirely realistic. Problems may be lessened by work and shedding of externals, but they don’t really disappear I don’t think.
Ginny handled the unwanted sexual advances of Rupert well
Rupert is a womanizer. This was not fleshed out too much by Ginny, but she did make it plain. Ginny was not a pushover. She did not accept this advance, but was not unsettled by it either. Eventually her rebuff led to other more useful discussions between her and Rupert discussions based more upon her merits as fearless.
Sometimes family members may have a judgmental streak
While Becky is often in the background she occasionally comes to the foreground. As this book goes on it seems that Becky may just be one whose outlook is judgmental. Becky had thought Ginny and Chris were too “glitzy” when Chris was still alive. Now that Chris is gone and Ginny is out and about so much Ginny thinks she is “insane.” Becky is the older sister and has a tendency toward disapproval. This may be a facet of why this book is accessible. We often have these types of people in our lives. Solutions and squabbles come as they may, but that does not make the situation any easier.
Other entries in this series
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