Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann
“The world spins. We stumble on. It is enough.”
Thoughtful and both uncomfortably tragic and hopeful, Colum McCann traces the lives of several individuals as they intersect and are all forever changed in the summer of 1974. Each character scarred by the brokenness of the world finds hope and, at times, each other as they journey on.
At first glace, McCann’s portrayal of life and relationships may seem bleak. Our existence is nothing more than fragmented experiences of pain, loss and, if your able, grasped opportunity. Cancer laying its final blow on a mothers life, a teenage mother and her own mother strolling the streets, a car accident taking a young girl’s life along with a dear faithful friend, an aimless young woman mugged, sons and brothers killed in Vietnam, marrying the brother of the one who brought so much shame, loneliness, Yale, adoption and a young Frenchman walking, jumping and laying down on a tightrope stretched across the towers of the World Trade Center.
As we learn the characters, listen to their conversations and are witness to their experiences, we learn that life is neither empty nor dim to McCann. Rather, we see the value and benefits of risking in the midst of adversity and darkness. Not just individual adversity and darkness but a sort of collective adversity and darkness. New York, its potential eclipsed by crooked politics and poverty, is set on a new trajectory by one’s decision to take a chance. One person’s life changes another, leading the city to a different place. A better place.
It is possible that McCann is telling us that our life matters. Certainly the good parts but also the bad. We are the beneficiaries of our choices along with those whom we love and, quite possibly, those whom we barely know. We are capable of destroying each other but also inspiring. But if you believe, even just a little bit, life will emerge in the face of death.
Our life does matter. We see this with Jaslyn, Gloria’s adopted daughter. Born of a prostitute, her life changes the day her mother dies. Destined for social services, fate is undone when Gloria sees the young girl being taken away and takes her as her own. She should have strolled the streets like her mother. She should have been addicted to drugs like her mother. She should have died like her mother. But at that moment, everyone’s collective decisions, triumphs and failures merge into this one little girl – Jaslyn – being given life.
One the one hand, McCann’s work is profound. We are given uncommon insight into characters, their psyche and heart. We fall in love with them and then they are taken away with one tragic swoop. We are moved and broken by their experiences. But at the end of the day, what is most tragic about McCann’s world is that it simply spins and we are left with its inhabitants and their ability to create and influence reality. Our life matters. In fact, that seems to be all that matters to McCann.
Though I do believe human beings have been endowed with dignity and part of that dignity being to influence and create, it does not address are deepest needs. Hope does not exist because of the dignity of humankind.
“The world spins. We stumble on. It is enough.” My conclusion: it is not enough. We need something more than ourselves or the world is truly bleak.
Hilton Head
We drove 17 hours yesterday from Saint Louis to the shores of Hilton Head. We could have arrived earlier if it wasn’t for a 2-hour delay on I-75 just outside of Knoxville. Although Sam did enjoy time out of the confines of his car seat. Susan and I both agreed that the drive went well and was actually very restful. We listened to South of Broad by Pat Conroy and Sam sing along to the The National.
We are staying at the Frost home. I can see the Atlantic from where I currently sit. The air is hot and humid and the water awaits our arrival. 
Vacation
We are leaving tomorrow for St. Louis. We are excited to see our friends and family and get some much needed rest.
i’m a supermodel
Not so much.
“What are you doing to me?!”
Poor guy. He wasn’t really into starting solid foods.
“I’m perfectly happy with my current way of eating, thank you very much.”
Ok. But everyone else is doing it.
“I will do it my way.”
Ok. That’s fine.
ducky
This is my new seat. and ducky. that’s all.
6 months, happy
Weee!
Sam turned 6 months this week. He’s a big boy now — taking trips to the park, reaching to be picked up, rocking on all fours and sleeping 5-hour stretches (well, once in awhile). I gotta tell ya. Six months is so much better than the colicky 3 or 4 months. Not only can we soothe him, we can actually make him giggle. I mean, the can’t-catch-my-breath-i’m-laughing-too-hard giggle. He’s ticklish. And, he tries to kiss us or eat our faces, one of the two. It’s so freakin’ cute. Anyway, we’re happy. He brings lots of joy to our days.
Sam’s Baptism
Sam was baptized on February 14, 2010, my grandmother’s birthday. It was a special day. Baptism is a powerful, visible promise God gave to Samuel to work in his life. As parents, we cannot be more thankful that God’s love and faithfulness is extended not only to us but also to our children.
Sam’s Baptism from michael subracko on Vimeo.
We’re Moving!
Yesterday, Susan and I signed a 1-year lease on a new place. We are very excited and happy to stay on Capitol Hill.
We will be living on the top floor of a duplex. Amenities include back door that leads to a deck, great view of the Cascades, shared back yard, charming little nooks, 2 bed rooms, a study, a finished attic, loads of light and bay windows. In addition, we will now be a half block from Volunteer Park Cafe (see earlier post on Volunteer Park Cafe) and 4 blocks from Volunteer Park, which will serve us well when Sam gets into the playground thing.
Of course, we are sad to leave our home – our first home. It is where we opened our wedding presents, enjoyed our fist year of marriage, hosted many fantastic dinners, got comfortable with excessive heat (if you’ve been to our house in the winter, then you know what I mean), discovered many of our favorite spots and where we brought Sam to after delivery. We will miss the Qualman!
We are not certain of the moving date. But as we anticipate and prepare, we are sad but also hopeful that this new house will soon be our home.
Bring It
This morning, I (michael) started P90x. It is a 90-day work out program. As I write this post, it is 12:12 pacific standard time, 3 or so hours since my work out. I cannot lift my arms. My back is tight and neck hurts. 
The best part of p90x are the videos featuring Tony Horton – a 40-something fitness guru who frequently says “Bring it.”
Tony is my new friend.
What Susan Is Reading
A Prayer for Owen Meany
Author: John Irving
[Get this widget]What Michael Is Reading
Let the Great World Spin
Author: Colum McCann
[Get this widget]
