Unbroken

The book Unbroken is being released as a movie Christmas day. I felt that this post was worth re-posting  since it profoundly moved my spirit. Once again, I highly recommend reading this book. The story of Zamperini reflects the hope that we seek at Christmas time.

During the last several months I have read several WW2 stories about survival, resistance, and perseverance. The first book that hooked me was Frozen in Time by Mitchell Zuckoff followed by Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas, and then Lost in Shangri-La, also written by Mitchell Zuckoff.

None has affected me so profoundly as the book that I just finished reading. Now, I am not one to write book reviews, this really won't be a review per se, but Unbroken: A World War II story about Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand moved me. It was inspirational, gripping, tragic, heartbreaking, and sobering.

As I read the life story of Louie Zamperini my heart ached for him and his family. At one point in the book, I paused and stated to Daryl that I could not understand why this book was titled Unbroken. As I read on, I was moved to tears.

After being stranded aboard a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean for 47 days, Zamperini became a prisoner of war in Japan. He suffered under the cruel hand of men during a dark time in our history. As he lay in a prison cell, separated from his friend and comrade, he realized that his will to live was lost because he was being stripped of his dignity.

"The guards sought to deprive them [Zamperini & Phillips] of something that had sustained them as all else had been lost: dignity. This self respect and sense of self-worth, the innermost armament of the soul, lies at the heart of humanness; to be deprived of it is to be dehumanized, to be cleaved from and cast below mankind...without dignity identity is erased. In its absence, men are defined not by themselves, but by their captors and the circumstances in which they are forced to live...Dignity is as essential to human life as water, food, and oxygen. The stubborn retention of it, even in the face of extreme physical hardship, can hold a man's soul in his body long past the point at which the body should have surrendered it."

 Laura Hillenbrand-Unbroken

As I read this passage, I thought of Canada's long history of abuses towards the First Nations people. What is my call to action? How do I respond to the Idle No More movement and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission? I have much to think about.

There is more that I can write about. How do we as a nation support our military coming home from war? How do we love our enemies as Christ instructs us to? How do we come to terms with God in the midst of suffering and abuse? How does faith transform a person so completely? As I let these questions roll through my thoughts, I encourage you to read this book.

Unbroken is a testament of the human spirit's ability to endure much and furthermore, forgive much.

Reflections

I am soaking in the last few weeks of life in Montreal. The stunning fall colours of red, yellow, and orange are quilting their way across Mont Royal. With each passing day, there are more leaves on the ground reminding me that a new season is about to begin. The tree in front of our condo is nearly bare.

There is something quite satisfying about closing up shop and moving on. Although there is some sadness and mourning that must go on, I feel a sense of accomplishment and completion as well. Yesterday for example, I was making some cream cheese icing and I had exactly the right amount of icing sugar to make it. I rinsed the bag and tossed it in the recycle bin with such delight. Another thing that I do not need to concern myself with when I pack up the last of my bags.

This past week we also cashed in a gift of a scooter rental. If being on a scooter doesn't make you smile, there is need for re-evaluation in life. It was an ideal fall day, where the sun was shining and warm with only a slight breeze. We drove along the Lachine canal and stopped at a park for a lovely walk. On our return journey we followed the boulevard along the St. Lawrence River and stopped at the Lachine rapids. It is a wonder that the voyageurs and ships even attempted to navigate these waters. Necessity and the spirit of adventure spurred them on.

This coming week I am taking a one day pastry course to learn how to make eclairs from renowned French pastry chef Christian Faure. How much more French does it get?

Not quite sure what else the next few weeks will bring, we intend to continue to enjoy the moments that we have here. Although I am feeling very inadequate for this next adventure that I am about to embark on, I am hoping that the experiences and lessons I have learned during my time in Montreal will carry through.