title: Kitchen Table Wisdom
author/editor: Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.
reviewed by: Frances Fritzie
KITCHEN TABLE WISDOM
I am reading a book I first laid hands on in an airport about four years ago. I didn't buy it then because I was flying and it was a heavy hard- cover to carry. When I later saw it in paperback, I bought it. It is called, Kitchen Table Wisdom and was written by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.
Its library note lists the book both as a "physician biography" and also under the category, "philosophy" -- an unusual, but interesting combination. The author is a female physician, and this book is a collection of her own healing tales -- observations of her life and interactions with others.
Naomi says that, as a child, she always had serious questions but her parents were "modern" and not interested in deep thoughts. She saved her queries to discuss with her rabbi grandfather when he came to visit. She enjoyed their long discussions.
Even though she followed her interest with an undergraduate degree in philosophy, she had been "marked" by her family to become a doctor. Her grandfather, the rabbi (who, it seems, might have known better), left her educational funds for this educational purpose alone.
Naomi's stories evolve as she became an MD, but eventually changed focus when she realized something is missing in all her success. That's when she began to nourish her soul. Thus, she entered the healing arts.
Naomi believes personal stories heal. In this vein, she shares her own wounded-healer journey.
Frances Fritzie, Editor adds, "I enjoyed this book. Its story evolves by episode and each chapter can stand alone. This is perfect for me since these days I don't have sustained time to read. It's good to have a book I can read in 'pieces.' It fits my present life."