Always seeking Answers in America

Last quarter I did a research paper on "Mary Poppins" for my Children's Lit. class which led me to discovering that the author of that famous story, P.L Travers, had some interesting things to say about her book. One of the things she had to say that caught my attention was the following:

"You know, in America, everybody thinks there’s an answer to every question. They’re always saying, “But why and how?” They always think there is a solution. There is a great fortitude in that and a great sense of optimism. In Europe, we are so old that we know there are certain things to which there is not an answer. And you will remember, in this regard, that Mary Poppins chief characteristic is that she never explains. I often wonder why people write and ask me to explain this and that. I’ll write back an say that Mary Poppins didn’t explain, so neither can I or neither will I…"
Source: The Paris Review Interviews ed. by Plimpton, George. “Women Writers at Work”. Pg. 136

This quote from Travers caught my attention because I was among the audience of readers who questioned Poppins' character and wanted an explanation for why she did this or that or why she was the way was. After reading Travers' opinion on the matter, I had to stop and say "Well I guess I can accept that." If even the author herself cannot explain the character she created then who am I to question. When she says "neither Mary Poppins didn't explain so neither can I or neither will I," I am amazed by the way she treats the character of Mary Poppins with such creative respect. Some might think this is a strange thing, but I think it is an admirable quality of a person who creates art. Much of what Travers has to say about her writing is very intriguing to me. The more I read of interviews from P.L. Travers during my reasearch the more I admired the perspectives she brought to her writing. Thus, don't be suprised if a few more of her quotes show up on a few more posts down the road.

But as for the topic at hand... After reading this quote, I had to accept that I was responding with an American culture by questioning "why and how" as Travers pointed out. She doesn't say this is an awful thing about America, however I did kind of read it as a less than desirable trait to have. Sure there is something admirable about seeking answers, but there is also something admirable in just accepting and even appreciating the unexplainable. I always appreciate seeing a new persepective on how I see things especially when it comes from someone looking in from the outside. Now I can identify my explanation-seeking part of myself as part of the culture I grew up in, but now I can also step outside of that and embrace another view that says I don't need an explanation. Of course being brought up with a faith in God has also helped me with this issue. I may often seek an explanation for things, but in that I have to accept and learn to take comfort in the fact that only God has all the answers.

Defying the Laws of Attraction

When thinking about relationships, some people talk about having the right chemistry. Then there is also the popular idea that opposites attract. In the laws of phsyics and chemistry this is very true. Opposite signs attract and like-charges repel. However, when it comes to me and Sean it seems the more similiar we find ourselves to be to each other the more we attract and the closer we become. Of course we are not exactly the same in every way, but there is a lot of overlap. At first, the like-mindedness between us was striking and intriguing. And now our similiarities become a major source of comfort, understanding, and often amusement between us. This is not to say that the opposites attract thing doesn't work for some people, but as for Sean and I, being on the same wavelength is part of the beauty and perhaps harmony of our relationship. So in recognition of our 3 months as a couple... here's to defying the laws of attraction. Somehow it just works.