The month of June I read a novel for book club titled The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. As promised, ‘it illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s war.’
I feel like you aren’t human if you can read a novel about the events surrounding the Holocaust and not be moved. This one was no different, but for some reason, it was even more poignant to me. Perhaps because I was reading it after the Orlando massacre. The tragedy happened while I was on vacation to Georgia and North Carolina to see family in the mountains, so I was shielded from most of the news coverage until we returned the week after.
My husband and I lived in Orlando for seven years. We graduated from the University of Central Florida. We got our first real jobs there. I gave birth to our two baby girls in The City Beautiful. We bought our first house there. A house that was just a fifteen minute drive to the Pulse nightclub. The husband of one of my best friends had a cousin who died in the shooting that night, which made it all the more real to me.
Reading The Nightingale set in France 1939-1945 and contemplating all the acts of terror still happening around the globe today, I’m reminded of how there are many events in our lives over which we have zero control. But we do have a choice to either press on or give up. Time and time again, I’m astounded at what humans have endured throughout history.
Many have concluded that the secret to survival is remembering love is greater than evil. That’s why the hashtag #lovewins has trended for over a year now. Maybe it’s why I can’t leave a little bit of romance out of my books. Remembering that #lovewins produces the endurance which sees us through all the tough stuff we face in this life. And in the meantime, we write, because it’s good therapy for our souls, as is reading a good book. I highly recommend The Nightingale, or *shameless plug* 18 Thoughts . . . because what’s summer without a book in your hand and toes in the sand? It’s a good life, after all is said and done.
This has been a post for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, the brainchild of Head Ninja, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Feel free to join us the first Wednesday of every month! Purpose: To share and encourage.
Jamie Ayres 
The Orlando shootings hit me very hard, as I’m sure it did many others. I too wonder sometimes how humanity has survived as long as it has. I think you’re right. Love is the answer. It’s defeated evil through the years and I love to write it’s defeat in my books too. Love must conquer or our end will be sooner than we expect.
Happy Writing, Jamie!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Yolanda 🙂
That did hit you close to home.
That is our one hope. We know love wins.
Amen, Alex . . . why groups like this are so important.
We watched the aftermath on the news here in central BC. So sad. So tragic. My grandchildren asked why. I couldn’t answer. We have to let love win, no matter what.
Thank you so much for tweeting my blog post ❤
I’ve had to stop reading about all the horrible happenings, not able to take it any more. It affects me to the point I have to remind myself there is goodness in the people around me and throughout the world.
Anna from elements of emaginette
I agree. So many news reporters are vultures. It’s awful.
I think Loretta Lynch and Hilary Clinton agree about #lovewins, based on their allusion to the part love plays in foreign affairs. I’m sorry about your loss, of your husband’s friend, in Orlando. I just don’t know what’s happening anymore in our world.
Honestly think it’ll keep getting worse, but humanity always finds a way to survive it all.
One of the reasons I’m so drawn to dark, macabre periods of history is precisely because of the love and hope which carried people through. I don’t enjoy reading or writing about these events because they’re tales of horror, but rather because there are so many loving, powerful bonds between sisters, brothers, friends, and other loved ones.
Yes! Amen! It’s truly amazing.
The Nightingale is really trending now! Great post. I’m all for love winning!
I’m sure we’re not the only book club who picked it as our summer read 🙂
Hi Jamie, I haven’t read The Nightingale. Will add it to my TBR pile.
Rachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna’s Scriptorium
Thanks for the book recommendation. I have put it on my TBR list. I am a hopeless optimist because I too believe Love wins. Thanks for the reminder.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
Thank you for this. Love definitely wins!
Love shall certainly win all. It’s just the rough bits in the battle that are hard to deal with. Thanks for encouraging us and reminding to keep on loving.
Such a beautiful post, amid what’s happening.
I can’t help but wonder if the world is going crazy and then I remember awful things have happened throughout time. This is a wonderful post. Love is definitely important and absolutely wins.
These are beautiful sentiments and I love the hashtag. It’s horrifying seeing the news every day, but we can’t forget about love and goodness.