All That is Gold Does Not Glitter, Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost

I just finished reading Book One of the Lord Of The Rings to my children. We've been reading a chapter most nights. A few nights ago, this bit of verse in Gandalf's letter caught my attention and has stayed in my mind:

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

The character of Strider, or Aragorn, that these verses are about is mysterious and I enjoy how the story slowly gives you more insight into who he is. Someone who walks the wild lands with confidence and who remembers the past that most have forgotten or never known.

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I have been enjoying reading more, but it also causes me to be thoughtful and questioning of where I am now and what I am doing. Tolkien's writing, as it was designed to do, makes me feel a longing for another place. Though, it also reminds me that our own world is wonderful and full of mystery.

Until next time,

-- @matthewdavid