Help, Thanks, Wow

Another one of my strengths over-used is frugality. On the flip-side, I am generous to a fault with others, but super stingy with myself. I have wanted to buy and read Anne Lamott's book, HELP THANKS WOW. I knew I would love it because I'd heard good things about it. I knew I would love it because I love books about the concept of thinking about what prayer is. I knew I would love it because I love Anne Lamott very, very much. Still. I would not buy the book for myself because it was $17 for a hardback and very short. This thinking stopped me any number of times from picking it up at bookstores in airports, in the neighborhood, and about town. I didn't just want to read it, I knew I wanted to own it, to mark up, to pass around, to hold onto, to come back to. But I just couldn't make myself do it. Ridiculous, I know, but very much "me."

My mom knew she wanted to buy it and read it and pass it along for all the same reasons, and without knowing it was short, expensive and only in hardback, she recklessly bought not one but two copies. One as a full-on gift, one for herself. I have just finished reading her copy but before I'd even finished, I purchased and sent the book to two people.

You're getting all this, right? This line of reasoning? Thought so.

Let me tell you, get your hands on that book. The library, a friend's, a used copy, a brand new one just for you - whatever. You're welcome.