27 Comments
User's avatar
Bryan Demchinsky's avatar

Your words are a salve in these troubled times.

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

It's always amazing to me how interconnected we all are. Thanks for making me see that again.

Expand full comment
Jinks Hoffmann's avatar

I love your self-reflection which circles you towards metta. First in, then out. So vulnerable and benign. Wouldn't it be a dream if "all" of us could be this way?

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thank you, Jinks. There's no end to the cleaning but I do see some corners that I couldn't even see before.

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

I'm thinking you mean all of each of us. That's very mind-expanding.

Expand full comment
Judith Fetterley's avatar

Love this. Working on cleaning out my attic too. alas, probably holding onto the pants.

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thanks, Judith. Some stuff is just too hard to let go of.

Expand full comment
Amber Chand's avatar

So loved reading this - as I do most of your essays, my dear friend. I will bring the Metta practice to the thanksgiving table today. Sending love.

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

Amber, old friend. I love the idea of your bringing metta with you to your Thanksgiving table. It's a contagious practice, And River Jai can take it with him on his travels. Love and blessings to you always.

Expand full comment
Daryl Solomonson's avatar

Susie, that’s a lot to digest! I think we are all trying to understand what has happened to us in the USA. We are

living in a place we were born. I know very few people who isn’t a carrying person in our town, which voted for our new President. Your writings helped me package many thoughts. Hopefully we get back to the good old years. Thank you for helping me sort. 80 something Daryl

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thanks for writing, Daryl. I turn 80 in August. Everything's new. Some of it is difficult to process but it helps to share it, don't you think.

Expand full comment
Daryl Solomonson's avatar

Susie, I feel that's it's important to express how you feel about all subjects, to as many as possible. We all have many stories, and I'm finding that our grandkid's really want to hear them. Our oldest two actually call to go out for coffee to talk. Blessed. Daryl

Expand full comment
betsy mctiernan's avatar

May our gratitude day be all it can be.

Thanks for a thoughtful, helpful teaching.

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

I appreciate that so much, Betsy. I'd never considered the possibility that there could be gratitude and greater gratitude. Why not.....Blessings today and always.

Expand full comment
Mary Kate Jordan's avatar

I restacked this as soon as I read it, Susie. What a gift to read it and take it in. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thank you and special thanks on this day before Thanksgiving. Does restacked mean you sent it out to your Substack?

Expand full comment
Mary Kate Jordan's avatar

It means sending it out in Notes and it sails off into Substack. That can add new followers or subscribers.

Expand full comment
Laura Goldman's avatar

Amen Amen.

So so beautiful and inspiring.

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

Appreciate your outreach, Laura.

Expand full comment
Carolyn Goins's avatar

Thank you for the encouragement to just get rid of the jeans in the attic, open new doors that may lead to flying with the birds and the clouds. The cartoon depiction makes me smile:)

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

I don't know about you, but I never know when a breath of fresh air will blow through an open door and refresh me.

Expand full comment
Renée's avatar

Susie, you really speak to my soul! Thank you for this essay. May we all have some success in cleaning up.

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

Little by little, eh Renee? You know how overwhelming it is when you first get to the top of the attic stairs and look out over the mess.

Expand full comment
Carol Sill's avatar

That really hits the mark! Big thanks 🙏

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thank you, Carol. Wishing you a blanket of peace.

Expand full comment
Mary Russell's avatar

Yes, it is a long twisting road to metta. I found your essay today particularly relevant in helping me navigate my own path. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Expand full comment
Susie Kaufman's avatar

Happy Thanksgiving, Mary. I don't think I ever really understood metta. It sounds straightforward, but it's not.

Expand full comment