So beautiful Karen. Not for nothing, the lessons you shared - learning to find the balance between what you can release control of and let the universe take care of, and what you can and should attend to to the best of your ability - reminded me a lot of Heschel’s “The Sabbath.” Reading this fantastic poem, I liked imagining that the evening in question might be Friday evening, and I think the presence of God in the last line resonates well with such a reading. You could interpret that line, rather than “God won’t let us be in a situation without comforts,” to be saying: “even if we find ourselves comfortless, God will not leave us.”
Jason- It is wonderful to hear your voice again, and here. I will seek out The Sabbath; thank you for the connection and recommendation. And on God, yes; of course, you are right. I hear it, too, as something like 'your highest or wisest self will always be with you, even if you forget and thus feel total despair.' In the context of the poem, it seemed like a strange turn. Still, your more expansive, generous, and much more comforting interpretation was off my radar during the writing of this. Thank you for putting it back on.
you and your beautiful mom, you the luck-tester, your love death-grips (did you make those up? like the four agreements?). i love these moments especially, and seeing you so clearly in them. i love the poem, too. even the god part. solace. try try all the damn day, then let, loosen the grip. know so well how to do all this and then know nothing at all. all of us, right there with you.
Your mom! Hooray for talking to strangers in grocery stores and everywhere else. Hooray for having nothing to lose and spending what you’ve got on “connection without needing reciprocation.” But also hooray for the beautiful reciprocation of Abby’s finger in your mouth.
The four death grips is such a powerful and helpful framing, with all the complicated “let”s you call onto the page.
My heart burst at you calling me Punk Rock Mary Poppins! But your kids sure got the right mom, and boy are they lucky!
There is so much heart and wisdom in this essay - when to let, when to push, when to foster attachment, when to practice detachment. It really moved me, dear Cricket! xo
Thank you for this!
Thanks for reading, Rachel!
Amazing and powerful.
Thanks Morgs....xo
So beautiful Karen. Not for nothing, the lessons you shared - learning to find the balance between what you can release control of and let the universe take care of, and what you can and should attend to to the best of your ability - reminded me a lot of Heschel’s “The Sabbath.” Reading this fantastic poem, I liked imagining that the evening in question might be Friday evening, and I think the presence of God in the last line resonates well with such a reading. You could interpret that line, rather than “God won’t let us be in a situation without comforts,” to be saying: “even if we find ourselves comfortless, God will not leave us.”
Jason- It is wonderful to hear your voice again, and here. I will seek out The Sabbath; thank you for the connection and recommendation. And on God, yes; of course, you are right. I hear it, too, as something like 'your highest or wisest self will always be with you, even if you forget and thus feel total despair.' In the context of the poem, it seemed like a strange turn. Still, your more expansive, generous, and much more comforting interpretation was off my radar during the writing of this. Thank you for putting it back on.
This is so beautiful. I’m splashing through the same parenting waters. It always helps to find companionship. Your writing is so so good. Thank you!!
Thank you, Kathryn! That means so much coming from such a beautiful artist. I appreciate your companionship. xo
you and your beautiful mom, you the luck-tester, your love death-grips (did you make those up? like the four agreements?). i love these moments especially, and seeing you so clearly in them. i love the poem, too. even the god part. solace. try try all the damn day, then let, loosen the grip. know so well how to do all this and then know nothing at all. all of us, right there with you.
Not four agreements (like the book?), but those are my four biggies. Love your poem/comment. xoxoxo
Your mom! Hooray for talking to strangers in grocery stores and everywhere else. Hooray for having nothing to lose and spending what you’ve got on “connection without needing reciprocation.” But also hooray for the beautiful reciprocation of Abby’s finger in your mouth.
The four death grips is such a powerful and helpful framing, with all the complicated “let”s you call onto the page.
My heart burst at you calling me Punk Rock Mary Poppins! But your kids sure got the right mom, and boy are they lucky!
There is so much heart and wisdom in this essay - when to let, when to push, when to foster attachment, when to practice detachment. It really moved me, dear Cricket! xo
xo!
Very well said.Practice,Practice,Practice
Yup. Exactly. Takes a village, so THANK YOU xo