From My Front Porch Looking In

There's a country song that describes the scenes of one man's home as he proclaims, "Yeah, the view I love the most is my front porch looking in."

Not only is this my favorite view, but most days, it's my only view.  And why wouldn't it be when I get to see things like this?



But the recent acquisition of a free year's subscription to Time Magazine (Really, honey?  TIME?  You couldn't have selected Parents?) has forced me to make a difficult decision.  Let the magazines go to waste, or become somewhat knowledgeable about what happens outside my four walls.

I cracked the first one open.
Choked down an article about new Speaker of the House, John Boehner.
Tried to read it out loud to husband to show how dry and boring the article was.
Laughed hysterically over the guy's last name.
(Really, guys, I don't watch the news, so I've never heard it pronounced, but I know what it looks like...)
Continued reading, small chunk by small chunk.
Decided I kind of liked the bite-sized articles.
Put the magazine in the bathroom where I could pick it up while overseeing a baby bath.
Found some of the articles about science and medicine interesting.
Got through the ones about politics and probably learned something.
Became aware of countries I haven't thought of, well, probably ever.

Resolved to read each issue of Time magazine as it appears at my house this year, cover-to-cover.

I'm not saying I enjoy every article.  Honestly, as important as politics is, and as knowledgeable as I know I should be, I just hate it.  Boring.  Boring.  Boring.

But then there's an article that inspires me.  Right now I'm in the middle of an article about a woman in Burma who they call "The Lady."  She's been a peaceful advocate for freedom who has spent 15 of the last 21 years locked up.  Recently freed from house arrest, she says she simply wants to sit down to tea with the government which persecutes her.  Okay, okay, I guess it's a story about politics.  But it is also a story of courage and faith.

I don't find much time to read it.  In fact, there is a stack of three piled up in the bathroom right now, including the one with the article about "The Lady," with I haven't even finished yet.  But I'm enjoying my brief forays into the landscape outside my home, and hopefully, I'm becoming a better citizen.  Probably even a better mother.  Definitely more grateful.

Keep 'em coming, Time magazine.  I will conquer you.