Little Women has long been one of my favorite books. When I read it the first time, I was probably the same age as Amy March, the youngest of the four sisters, at the beginning of the story. Now, for my most recent foray into the lives of the March family, I’m the same age as Jo, the second sister and central character, at the end of the book’s action.
Little Women, Puffin
Without launching into a full synopsis of the story for anyone unfamiliar with it, just know that it chronicles the March sisters navigating the common character-shaping trials leading them from childhood into young adulthood. It is a fictionalized account of author Louisa May Alcott’s own family life and upbringing.
While all four sisters have their narrative-driving chapters, it is Jo, Alcott’s fictional counterpart, who serves as the lead. She’s also one of the primary reasons I’ve loved the book so fiercely. She’s the tomboyish writer. She prefers hiding in side-rooms to avoid the action in ballrooms. She often has trouble finding something suitable to wear because she’s stained, torn or burned a large portion of her wardrobe. I relate to her on such a deep level, and my mom’s years-long search for the perfect stain remover underscores this. She was one of the first assurances my introverted, bookworm-self found that not fitting the mold didn’t equal exclusion from the happy ending.
I’ve been putting off this recent re-read of Little Women for a while. I knew my life and Jo’s were once again overlapping, and I thought this one would be too much for me. (Just a warning: I’m about to spoil a major plot point, but I think 150 years after publication is outside the statute of spoiler limitations). Beth, the third of the March sisters and the closest to Jo, is weakened by scarlet fever and never fully recovers. I didn’t think I could handle reading about Beth’s death as we drew closer to losing Maggie, and I definitely didn’t think I could after we already had.
The pull of the book was too much, though, and a few weeks ago I dove back in. As I read, I was struck but not surprised at how true to life the chapters building to Beth’s death and the event itself were. Alcott’s own sister, Elizabeth, died at the age of 22 in 1858. What I wasn’t expecting was to make it through these chapters without shedding a single tear. The part that got me was the family dealing with their grief afterwards.
Surprising, but it makes sense. Beth and the rest of the March family knew what eternity held for her, and it was nothing to fear. It was something to be envied. Death isn’t the hard part. The hard part is being left behind. Death has lost its sting, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still a dull ache.
Mom and I were taking the dogs for a walk one day a week or so after the funeral. A few cars passed by, and Max would bark a couple of times and then go back to sniffing. Then a car that resembled Maggie’s drove by. Max went nuts. He alternated barking and whimpering and threw his whole weight into pulling against his leash. He thought Maggie was leaving and he just wanted to go, too.
That’s the hard part. Remaining while people we love get to start their eternity that much sooner. Remaining in this broken world while they experience wholeness.
The above post was written my Molly Hanberry
To read Little Women, check it out here
Beautifully written, Molly. Thank You for sharing.
Oh Molly!! What a wonderful post!! Staying behind surely is the hard part. Love y’all. And I pray for y’all often.
Gifted story teller and writer! You should take it a step further in your comparison of yourself and Jo, and go into an attic and write your own story. I read this and wanted more of this real, raw, beauty from ashes! Thank you for sharing.
Oh Molly what insight!!! You are so right! Maggie would not trade all she’s experiencing now for anything BUT the sting of those left behind for now is so real! Thank you for sharing! Ive never read Little Women (sorry for the shock!) but I definitely will! God in all His wisdom works it all together for those who love Him. We just have to trust! Much love to your fam and continued prayers! Maggie was one blessed girl to call you Sis!!!
You are so right, Molly. Those of us left behind must learn of a life without our sibling being by our side. But what should we expect.. they have been such an integral part of our whole lives!
When I lost my brother, I was so shocked at how it changed my life in unexpected ways. I thought of him every single day for years. Yes, I do love and miss him, but God is so gracious. Eventually, He teaches us how to deal with our loss, but never removes our love and lessons from our sister (or brother).
May God Bless you, your mom and dad.
You are a wonderful writer and I too love that book. You have expressed so well the feeling of being left behind when our loved ones go to that glorious eternal home.
Praying for all of us that have been “left behind”, that we live life as they did in the “short” time that we knew and loved them.
Wow! Another wonderful writer in the family!! A great post!
Molly, how beautifully you express your feelings re. being left behind. What a gift your mom has passed down. Thank you for sharing with many of us who continue to love and pray for your precious family.
Heart wrenchingly beautiful!!
Molly…you are amazing. I thought it was Melissa until I read “Mom and I….and I KNEW Nanny had not been over there walking Meg and Maxx with Melissa. Now that caused me some laughter. I went the first night the movie was out. It was good, I would even say really good but not AWESOME like I wanted it to be. The Characters just didn’t quite have the punch they needed. I am finding myself more and more wishing for Maggie….and like you said, not wishing her back to this troubled, difficult, painful world but wishing I could see the beautiful World that she has taken ownership in. She has experienced more since she has been there than we can fathom. I do miss her so much.
Such poignant words. I, at 52, have never read Little Women but I think I will now. Your whole family has helped so many learn how to live life to the fullest and grieve as well. You are an amazing young lady Love you all so much.