I knew my husband loved me when he bought me the book, Illuminata by Marianne Williamson, while we were dating over 20 years ago. I asked him what made him buy it and his reply was that he thought it would help me. He saw the author on an Oprah Winfrey show and felt moved by what she said. I knew he was a keeper when he demonstrated that he also cared about my spiritual health. I was just emerging from a rough patch in my life (early twenties) when we got together. Therefore, he was right. My week day morning routine is to pray and read a scriptural/spiritual passage before I get out of the bed to set the tone for my day. I didn’t realize that I had this book by my bed side until I read the titles of the stack of books on my dresser. I love books and keep them very close. Periodically, I rotate them with the ones on my living room bookshelf to ensure that I get through them all. At some point, I moved Illuminata to be bed side. Great choice!

It feels so good to be reconnected with my Illuminata. The prayers are beautiful. It may seem odd for prayers to be captured in a book, but it’s so befitting. While in Catholic school growing up, we learned prayers verbatim from the bible. Sometimes, it’s difficult to come up with the words. Often, I simply have conversations with God, but I don’t always know how to ask for what I need. It’s a thought-provoking, illuminating, contemplative book and I love to marinate on it as I get ready. Sometimes, I even read a few passages before bed.

Books next to my bed

Beignet does not understand how I could read instead of giving him cuddles