Soren was wondering why we live in Iowa. There are no mountains, oceans, or deserts. None of the things that we travel to see. He wondered if that could be the reason: “Do we live in Iowa so we have a reason to travel to the ‘cool’ places?”
“No,” I told him, “we live in Iowa for a handful of reasons, but one is so I don’t have to travel to see my very favorite kind of landscape. I can just step outside.”
I don’t think he was convinced, but to me Iowa is the “cool” place.
It was fitting then, that on a recent day trip to hike, bike, and picnic at some of my favorite Iowa locations, we listened to the audio recording of Luck of the Buttons by Anne Ylvisaker. The tale is set in the fictional town of Goodhue, Iowa in 1929, supposedly right outside of our hometown, Cedar Rapids.
Because of that, we felt a deeper connection to the story and even a hint of pride at being from Iowa like this fun cast of characters. However, as the story progressed, we couldn’t but wonder, from a slightly insulted standpoint, why stories of gullible and unsuspecting townsfolk always seem to be set in Iowa.
Ok, I guess I only know two stories that fit that description, but still, when a swindling stranger came to town these innocent, trusting, and likeable Iowa folks (not naive and gullible) eventually had to face the facts; trouble with a capital “T” was brewing in Goodhue, just like it did in River City.
We all rooted for the delightful heroine, sweet Tugs Button, as she worked to solve a mystery and step out from the “unlucky” shadow her family believes hovers over the Button Clan. My boys especially enjoyed the antics of the elderly twin sisters, Elmira and Eldora, who proved to be full of surprises, and I found Tug’s parents to be an unexpected source of inspiration.
“Father Button” listened to Tugs and took her seriously in a way that gave me pause. Do I treat my own children with that kind of respect?
“Mother Button” was available, willing, and resourceful when Tugs came to her wanting to shed her tomboy ways. She gently found ways to affirm Tugs, just as she is, while also allowing her room to grow-up with grace. And the story of how Mother Button came up with the name “Tugs” is truly endearing.
I had noticed this book sitting on the shelf at the library many times, but was hesitant to select it. The heavy emphasis on luck in the write up on the back gave me pause. As one who believes in the hand of sovereign God, I wasn’t interested in a story if every event or circumstance was going to be labeled as either lucky or unlucky. It turns out that other themes emerged as far more important than luck. Everything that happens to Tugs (with the exception of winning a camera in the Independence Day raffle) can be attributed to determination, smarts, kindness, and hard work.
In the end everyone is feeling lucky to have had Tugs around, and she is feeling pretty lucky herself. I’m all for a happy ending like that, but I think a better description of what they were experiencing is “blessed.” They were blessed to have friends and family surrounding them, blessed to have room to learn and grow, and above all, blessed, just like we are, to live in the lovely state of Iowa.
- “The Luck of the Buttons” and the Love of Iowa - September 18, 2024
- What We Always Do: The Value of Family Traditions - February 5, 2024
- GIGGLES: Theater Prompt Ideas to Complete the Creative Prompt Trilogy - January 17, 2024
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