emily giffin and secrets

“I know what they say about secrets.  I’ve heard it all.  That they can haunt and govern you.  That they can poison relationships and divide families.  That in the end, only the truth will set you free.”–Emily Giffin, Where We Belong

My favorite author in the world came out with her 6^th book, Where We Belong, and per usual, it was absolutely delicious.  I devoured it in less than 24 hours and am only left wondering when she will pick up the pen and write some more.  Giffin has the ability to take real-life instances, make them feel new but relatable, and dive into issues that some authors only graze.  The big issue in this book?  Secrets.  No, I will not give away the ending or even the story line for those of you who have not yet read it, but one thing that I have been left to ponder this week is the notion of secrets.  Not the kind of secrets that can be interchanged with surprises.  Surprises are always a good idea.  And I’m not talking about the secrets of your personal life that are yours and only yours.  I have said on here before that I do not believe in posting every little single detail of your life on the internet and sharing EVERYTHING with all 2,000 Facebook friends.  No, I’m talking about the secrets that need to be shared.  The kind that affect others. 

First of all, I’m TERRIBLE at keeping secrets from loved ones.  If I have exciting news, sad news, have a nervous breakdown, am over-reacting – the list goes on – I have to share.  I’m a talker.  I have to talk every little decision or feeling out to really get to the roots of my heart.  Sometimes I don’t even need advice, I just need to talk things out and hear myself and that is simply enough.  Luckily my husband is a patient man and has learned that listening to my worries is just as important as fixing them.  But I still can’t help wonder if secrets are EVER OK?  I can’t imagine keeping things from him.  I mean, I go shopping and spend a little too much on a pair of shoes and as soon as he is in the door from work, I blurt it out and hand him the receipt.  It’s a little pathetic really, and he usually just laughs at me and says he likes the shoes, but I just can’t handle keeping things from him.  I wear my heart on my sleeve so most of my close friends can tell when I’m happy, sad, worried, nervous or excited by glancing at me from a 10-foot radius.  Maybe that is why I don’t believe in secrets – because, most often, it is impossible for me to actually keep them.  And overall, I think that’s OK.  I think if my biggest problem is that I can’t keep a secret from those I love most, I’m doing alright.  And if you run out and buy the newest Emily Giffin novel (which all of you should do NOW), you will see that Marian might agree with me.  So here's to the truth.  It will always set you free.

“It is not what I planned – this day, this moment, these unlikely relationships, both old and new.  Yet I feel overcome with peace and certainty that, for one, I am exactly where I should be.”

–Emily Giffin, Where We Belong