Fiction Is Fantastic

"Fiction"--Alice Munro's short story in the August issue of Harper's-- is fantastic. I read the first half on the train and was feeling more than a little depressed, but when I finished the story later that night I practically jumped up and down (okay, I did jump up and down) in delight and gushed about the story to G. who seemed a bit concerned for my sanity.  Munro chose a wonderful way to express an idea so simple, yet often so elusive. That we can spend a lifetime thinking about the should have and could haves, worrying about the wrong people and despairing over the wrong moments, the mistakes; all the while missing the point: the moments and connections that deserve our awe, enthusiasm, and respect (see: Evening by Susan Minot). It may be too late for the main character in "Fiction," but it's not too late for the readers of Munro's story.