Anne Shirley, interrupted

A few years ago, while my sister was living in Maine, we drove all the way to Prince Edward Island. I'd always wanted to go there since I'd read L. M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables in high school. It is a gorgeous island and it's no wonder that Anne found so much "scope for the imagination" there. It's hard not to be inspired there!

I was a sophomore and I was supposed to be writing a term paper for English class, but instead I locked myself up in my room for several weeks reading the Anne series. I was unable to put them down and I read them at an astonishing pace until, that is, I came to Rainbow Valley. At this point, I had grown weary from my marathon of reading and moreover, I was completely disappointed that Anne had become relegated to a background character being upstaged by her children. She was no longer Anne, but instead Mrs Blythe. I mean, of course I was happy that she married Gilbert Blythe, but the whole tone of the book was different. It was hard for me to realize that there would be no more of Anne's story. So, sadly, I never finished Rainbow Valley and that means I never went on to read the final volume, Rilla of Ingleside.

Well, a few weeks ago, Luke and I started listening to Anne of Green Gables on CD. Initially, I had checked the CDs out from the library so that I could listen to them myself. I had no idea Luke would like it so much. We then watched the delightful film featuring Megan Follows. Now, we're in the middle of Anne of Avonlea and Luke is still enjoying it. I had assumed, wrongly, that Luke would not be as interested in the subsequent books since Anne had grown up, but I was wrong. He's enjoying hearing about all the trouble Davy gets into. (Davy is one of the twins that Marilla adopts in the second book.) I had almost forgotten that Marilla had adopted more children. Now, I know that Luke may lose interest as Anne continues to grow and mature, but that's okay with me. As for me I plan to listen to the series again and this time, I will read Rainbow Valley and I will read Rilla of Ingleside.

Even though I'm much older than when I originally read the series, I find that I am still charmed by Anne Shirley. I think it's impossible not to fall under her spell. I believe she may be my favorite childhood heroine. Anne knew how to consider it all joy (despite her red hair)! Now, I just need to get to know her children.

I learned a lot from Anne. She taught me to soak up life and to see every day as a beautiful gift.

By the way, Anne of Green Gables will celebrate its 100th birthday next year!