Within a month of being new parents, Sally and I—separately, but concurrently—felt a strong urge to pick up the phone and call a couple of friends to say “I’m so sorry.
I remember a long-ago four-part prescription for something (I think for relationships) pronounced from the pulpit by a young Rev. Rachel Anderson: Show up; pay attention; tell the truth; let go of the outcome. I haven’t always understood how that has applied in my experience, but I’ve never forgotten it. It was no doubt sage advice.
Jim, hello across the miles and years! Can you believe that was nearly 30 years ago? That counsel didn’t originate with me—I was merely a conduit but I still appreciate its simplicity. Thank you for reading and for the time travel.
That's one of my favourite poems, Rachel. (Also "Wild Geese.") As a young 20-something, working part-time as an elevator operator in the Mark Hopkins hotel in San Francisco and full-time student at the then San Francisco State College, I memorized that poem, going up, down, up, down. "I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. I learn by going where I have to go." Perfect.
“We're on a road to nowhere
Come on inside
Takin' that ride to nowhere
We'll take that ride”
- Talking Heads
Keep those walking and pathway analogies coming; I appreciate the journey you’re taking us on.
I remember a long-ago four-part prescription for something (I think for relationships) pronounced from the pulpit by a young Rev. Rachel Anderson: Show up; pay attention; tell the truth; let go of the outcome. I haven’t always understood how that has applied in my experience, but I’ve never forgotten it. It was no doubt sage advice.
Howdy! All this time I thought it was a pearl of your wisdom! Keep on keeping on!
Jim, hello across the miles and years! Can you believe that was nearly 30 years ago? That counsel didn’t originate with me—I was merely a conduit but I still appreciate its simplicity. Thank you for reading and for the time travel.
Walking towards who we are becoming. Beautiful!
That really resonates for me. And it reminds me of one of my favorite poems.
XXIX
Traveler, there is no path.
The path is made by walking.
Traveller, the path is your tracks
And nothing more.
Traveller, there is no path
The path is made by walking.
By walking you make a path
And turning, you look back
At a way you will never tread again
Traveller, there is no road
Only wakes in the sea.
Antonio Machado, Border of a Dream: Selected Poems
Thank you Kate!
That's one of my favourite poems, Rachel. (Also "Wild Geese.") As a young 20-something, working part-time as an elevator operator in the Mark Hopkins hotel in San Francisco and full-time student at the then San Francisco State College, I memorized that poem, going up, down, up, down. "I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. I learn by going where I have to go." Perfect.
I really enjoy the image of you staffing the elevator, traveling up and down and memorizing poetry! & it’s a boon to know we share this poem.