When I’m enthusiastic I can’t listen politely—I just want to interject—so I kept wanting to be done reading this so I could say how much I liked it. (Levels of silliness there, I know.) “Telling ourselves we know what we’re doing, when really, all we know is how to put one foot in front of the other.” Bingo. It feels so insufficient but really, the continued progress (no matter how seemingly aimless) is everything. You’re such a good writer. And yes, that’s a lovely photo.
Another set of universal truths flecked with a soupçon of self-deprecation.
Your writing is delicious and such small portions.
BTW, this was your DS--daily Salinger.
"With no destination except normalcy, I walked west. And kept going. The more I walked, the less angry I felt. It’s hard to call yourself a moron in public, and being forced to walk and not stamp was helping."
Richard Wright wrote in "Black Boy," (a must-read for humans) something your passage above reminded me of:
“With ever watchful eyes and bearing scars, visible and invisible, I headed North, full of a hazy notion that life could be lived with dignity, that the personalities of others should not be violated, that men should be able to confront other men without fear or shame, and that if men were lucky in their living on earth they might win some redeeming meaning for the having struggled and suffered here beneath the stars.”
I was let go four times, I think, over the years. The first time was the hardest, after 16 years at a place. I'm glad I don't have any photos of myself from back then.
When I’m enthusiastic I can’t listen politely—I just want to interject—so I kept wanting to be done reading this so I could say how much I liked it. (Levels of silliness there, I know.) “Telling ourselves we know what we’re doing, when really, all we know is how to put one foot in front of the other.” Bingo. It feels so insufficient but really, the continued progress (no matter how seemingly aimless) is everything. You’re such a good writer. And yes, that’s a lovely photo.
I needed this today! Thank you!
Another set of universal truths flecked with a soupçon of self-deprecation.
Your writing is delicious and such small portions.
BTW, this was your DS--daily Salinger.
"With no destination except normalcy, I walked west. And kept going. The more I walked, the less angry I felt. It’s hard to call yourself a moron in public, and being forced to walk and not stamp was helping."
Richard Wright wrote in "Black Boy," (a must-read for humans) something your passage above reminded me of:
“With ever watchful eyes and bearing scars, visible and invisible, I headed North, full of a hazy notion that life could be lived with dignity, that the personalities of others should not be violated, that men should be able to confront other men without fear or shame, and that if men were lucky in their living on earth they might win some redeeming meaning for the having struggled and suffered here beneath the stars.”
Another amazing story that makes me both laugh and cry. THANK YOU!
"What To Expect When You Don’t Read The Damned Books" Genius!
Beautiful! Beautiful! writing (as always).
I was let go four times, I think, over the years. The first time was the hardest, after 16 years at a place. I'm glad I don't have any photos of myself from back then.