The Bend in the Road

Last weekend I finished reading Anne of Green Gables for potentially the first time? I think I read it as a child, but most of my memories + fondness for the story come from the 1985 mini-series. Montgomery’s writing is undoubtedly warm and delightful, but I also found it to be far more comforting than I expected. I want to share two passages from the final chapter that rung with a sound both resonant and near.

For context, this first passage is Anne’s reply to Marilla’s protestation of her decision to stay home and give up her college acceptance.

I'm just as ambitious as ever. Only, I've changed the object of my ambitions. I'm going to be a good teacher— and I'm going to save your eyesight. Besides, I mean to study at home here and take a little college course all by myself. Oh, I've dozens of plans, Marilla. I've been thinking about them out for a week. I shall give life here my best, and I believe it will give its best to me in return. When I left Queen's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes—what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows—what new landscapes—what new beauties— what curves and hills and valleys further on.

And then the novel concludes:

Anne's horizons had closed in since the night she had sat there after coming home from Queen's; but if the path set before her feet was to be narrow she knew that flowers of quiet happiness would bloom along it. The joys of sincere work and worthy aspiration and congenial friendship were to be hers; nothing could rob her of her birthright of fancy or her ideal world of dreams. And then there was always the bend in the road!

"'God's in his heaven, all's right with the world,'" whispered Anne softly.

Wishing all of you “what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows” this Saturday.