A year and a half ago my best friend told me I need to read this book. You see I don’t read books. I like the idea of reading books. But I’d rather write, listen to music, or watch something. Comprehension is a struggle for me. So when I was hesitant she responded with a, “pleeeeeease”. So, I agreed.
While I have a bookshelf with many books I also have a virtual shelf in the Books app where I’ve spent most of my time. This book my best friend told me to read would be bought later that day. It would, however, collect digital dust for a bit.
She’d ask, “have you started reading it?” I’d have to say the unfortunate no. I could tell this book was very important to her. Out of all the things I could do at night when I’d make time to do non-work related things it’d honestly be the last thing on my mind or that I’d want to do. On my list was working on an app, playing Cities:Skylines, or watching YouTube.
But, I’d soon open the Books app and start reading this book. Lots of descriptive words. I’m a visual person and so this was helpful to try and picture myself there. I wasn’t able to fully picture things but it did help me keep reading to try and get a better picture.
The more I read the more I realized this is about a dysfunctional family. I’d start reading this book after my other best friend (not the best friend who told me to read this book) said we no longer can be friends because I’m dysfunctional. This book reminded me of my best friend (again the one who told me to read this book) and how she grew up.
I was invested. But as things happened I’d read a little, then take a long break, forget, and then come back and read a little more. I was reading about this “dysfunctional” family who prioritized happiness, independence, courage, and values over stability, money, and what people thought of them. The book centered around one girl and everything she went through. Lots of moving, living out of the car, being homeless, and not knowing what’s to come with parents who were around but not present.
My best friend has a similar upbringing. Moved a lot. Lived in a green van and green house along with many other places. Lost her dad when she was very young so never knew him. Was removed from her mom multiple times due to sickness. She was officially the child of the government. Her older brother brought her in with his family. While on paper more conventional and stable not a healthy one. So much so that when able to she moved out. Years later she would stop seeing them.
So again, I was invested. It was like this girl in this book had a similar journey as my best friend.
But, life got busy and I’d forget to read more. I was about 80% complete. So, she asked me how close I am to being done. I said about 80%. She was excited and then began to tell me I need to finish it soon so we can watch the movie together. This would be the first time I read a book before watching the movie by said book.
Then one night I picked the book back up. I had gone to bed an hour early and well an hour later I had finished the book. I cried. I cried so much I couldn’t catch my breath. Up until now I had only cried more when my wife left me.
This book was about a dad and his girl. He shared a dream with her early on to build a “glass castle” and she was all-in. But, through his unidentified trauma, pressures, and imperfections he’d imprison himself to live on paper a troubled, dysfunctional life.
The plans never came true. Damage was done. But there was beauty in the mess—in the dysfunction. Dad would get enough money to get her through college. Dad would teach her to be strong and not afraid. Dad would save every story she ever written. Dad would gift her a blank journal telling her “be careful, you just might change the world.”
So while no glass castle was built or lived in a strong woman was created by an imperfect dad who didn’t care what others thought of him or his family. All he cared about was that she was happy.
And that is a beautiful glass castle. It all makes sense why my best friend wanted me to read this book.
The book was The Glass Castle. And my best friend is the woman who I get to marry come October and who is on her way to be a holistic doctor. She too is going to change the world.
