Write in This Book
There’s a strange phrase on the first page of my copy of Lullabies, a collection of poems by Lang Leav.
“Write in this Book,” it says, in my messy handwriting. Followed by:
Where? On blank pages, in blank spaces.
What? Things that inspire you, make you smile, or that you wish you could have told your past self.
Why? “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” – Bill Nye
I knew it was going to be a hard goodbye. I wouldn’t see my friends and family again for a year (I hope to teach English in Italy during the summer once I leave Scotland, where I’m studying for the semester), and I wanted a piece of them to take with me. I hoped that they would write things that were personal and hopeful, but I couldn’t have imagined just how powerful their messages were.
While reading the book on the plane to Scotland, I laughed, cried, and missed my loved ones more than ever. But more than that, I was inspired by their words of encouragement and hope for my future travels. A tearstained page that read “farewell” was followed by a wonderful poem about journeys and new places. It reminded me not to forget my friends and wished me luck on my travels.
I hope that the new people I meet will also get a chance to write in the book, and pass on their wisdom and quotes and inspirations. Lullabies is my keepsake of the past and catalyst for the future.
