Susie, I'm 80, reading "Resting" was while written, however, I fight this part of life with more life. My cat is 90 in his years, and some days we do look at each other and shrug our shoulders. My wife and I talk regularly about being 80, we then reach out to help others not as fortunate as we are. I guess its memories, and the day to day that keep us going. I'm still trying to create memories, by mentoring younger adults, showing them what the future can be, and still shoot in the 80's on the golf course. Our world is bleak at this moment, so we all need to help fix this mess. Thank you for continuing to write, which means you're not resting either. Daryl
By resting, Daryl, I don't mean living in a big blank space. I mean primarily being present to what is and grateful for life itself. It's difficult to be there when you're younger and have a great many responsibilities as well as a great deal of inner work to take care of. I find this time of rest a great blessing. Very grateful for all the mentoring work you do.
I've been thinking about you more than usual these days what with the Blue Jays providing such an occasion for hope. I admit I didn't last the entire eighteen innings on Tuesday but I've watched all the rest of their magnificent play. It won't be the first time baseball has come to the rescue. Talk to you later!
Your references to rest managed to calm me down on a day when I'm being my egocentric, worrying about myself self.
Today, I bought a new winter coat at the Arcadian Shop, after returning one I'd bought a couple of weeks ago. Do you remember the old Columbus Day coat sales in places like Ohrbach's? When I'm not worrying that I spend too much on a coat, I worry about being too stingy. There's that worry business again
I haven't told you that my husband, Larry Strauss, died in May after a bad fall at home, a brain bleed, and 5 days of unconsciousness, attended to by Hospice at BMC. I was so in shock hat I didn't even connect what I was going through with your role in Hospice, until this instalment by you.
I hadn't expected to be so lonesome. I'm not driving, so I'm even lonesomer (!). I'm looking into Kimball Farms--what I used to dismiss but what now may be the way to go even if it means giving up > 2000 square feet for 700. So, yes, more so than I realized when you moved away, you and I are exploring very different seventysomething paths--will be 80 in December 2026.
Please keep writing your pieces. Maybe I'll try to too. And regards to Frank, whom I met in a Franny Hall class on Greek Tragedy (to bring us back to your Greek shopkeeper).
Oh Fran. Larry's loss, coming so suddenly, must have been so hard. I have a very dear old friend who moved to Kimball a few years ago and is very glad she did. Having people around you, having structure if you want it and having support when you need it seems like a blessing. It would be great if you wrote about your experience, your memories, whatever engages you. I post almost every Wednesday and it really gives shape to my week. Plus people like you reach out to me which is wonderful. I don't remember Columbus Day coat sales but have very vivid memories of being taken to warehouses and factories to shop wholesale for coats as a child. "Also share to Notes" must be a bit of Substack arcana. One less thing to worry about. Thinking of you.
Wonderful, Susie. I’ve just celebrated (and I really do mean celebrated) my 80th birthday and I’m completely in sync with the sentiments expressed in your brilliant essays.
It turns out they're reading Lech Lecha this shabbos morning in synagogue. I'm not sure about whether the Torah calendar and the calendar for reading from the Bible in church are in sync but if so...wow.
I owe it all to you since you were the one who first brought me to Bill's. Frank joins me in my affection for this place. The opportunity to not just be alive but to know that I'm alive is a great blessing.
Susie, I'm 80, reading "Resting" was while written, however, I fight this part of life with more life. My cat is 90 in his years, and some days we do look at each other and shrug our shoulders. My wife and I talk regularly about being 80, we then reach out to help others not as fortunate as we are. I guess its memories, and the day to day that keep us going. I'm still trying to create memories, by mentoring younger adults, showing them what the future can be, and still shoot in the 80's on the golf course. Our world is bleak at this moment, so we all need to help fix this mess. Thank you for continuing to write, which means you're not resting either. Daryl
By resting, Daryl, I don't mean living in a big blank space. I mean primarily being present to what is and grateful for life itself. It's difficult to be there when you're younger and have a great many responsibilities as well as a great deal of inner work to take care of. I find this time of rest a great blessing. Very grateful for all the mentoring work you do.
I invariably feel better psychologically, after reading your essays, this one included. Thanks Susan🙏
That's an unexpected blessing for me. May all love surround you, Rita.
...trying to nail down what by definition cannot be captured, must at some point come to a place of rest. I’m feeling that more often now.
That about says it, dear Susie, with your usual depth, humor, and insight. Thank you.
And please send dear Frank my condolences, after all it is our BELOVED BLUE JAYS FROM TORONTO who are leading 3-2 in the World Series.
They too, like life in all its beautiful and messy complexity, are a miracle.
I've been thinking about you more than usual these days what with the Blue Jays providing such an occasion for hope. I admit I didn't last the entire eighteen innings on Tuesday but I've watched all the rest of their magnificent play. It won't be the first time baseball has come to the rescue. Talk to you later!
Bless you! I am in love with several of "our boys." Such a wonder, this team, which was last in their league last year!
Such a captivating work. So much life in it. La grande bellezza
I especially appreciate comments in Italian!
Your references to rest managed to calm me down on a day when I'm being my egocentric, worrying about myself self.
Today, I bought a new winter coat at the Arcadian Shop, after returning one I'd bought a couple of weeks ago. Do you remember the old Columbus Day coat sales in places like Ohrbach's? When I'm not worrying that I spend too much on a coat, I worry about being too stingy. There's that worry business again
I haven't told you that my husband, Larry Strauss, died in May after a bad fall at home, a brain bleed, and 5 days of unconsciousness, attended to by Hospice at BMC. I was so in shock hat I didn't even connect what I was going through with your role in Hospice, until this instalment by you.
I hadn't expected to be so lonesome. I'm not driving, so I'm even lonesomer (!). I'm looking into Kimball Farms--what I used to dismiss but what now may be the way to go even if it means giving up > 2000 square feet for 700. So, yes, more so than I realized when you moved away, you and I are exploring very different seventysomething paths--will be 80 in December 2026.
Please keep writing your pieces. Maybe I'll try to too. And regards to Frank, whom I met in a Franny Hall class on Greek Tragedy (to bring us back to your Greek shopkeeper).
What does "Also share to Notes" mean?
Oh Fran. Larry's loss, coming so suddenly, must have been so hard. I have a very dear old friend who moved to Kimball a few years ago and is very glad she did. Having people around you, having structure if you want it and having support when you need it seems like a blessing. It would be great if you wrote about your experience, your memories, whatever engages you. I post almost every Wednesday and it really gives shape to my week. Plus people like you reach out to me which is wonderful. I don't remember Columbus Day coat sales but have very vivid memories of being taken to warehouses and factories to shop wholesale for coats as a child. "Also share to Notes" must be a bit of Substack arcana. One less thing to worry about. Thinking of you.
Wonderful, Susie. I’ve just celebrated (and I really do mean celebrated) my 80th birthday and I’m completely in sync with the sentiments expressed in your brilliant essays.
Leslie Shatz
Glad to hear that, Leslie. I felt the same way about partying on my 80th. Hoping this fall in Stockbridge was a beauty.
This is simply beautiful. Thank you for such graceful writing and such a meaningful essay.
Susie,
This is so good on so many levels!
Many thanks, Don. It is gratifying when it comes together out of bits and scraps of unrelated ideas.
I did not know the words Lech Lecha. Thank you for that, and for your grandson’s insight. 🧡
It turns out they're reading Lech Lecha this shabbos morning in synagogue. I'm not sure about whether the Torah calendar and the calendar for reading from the Bible in church are in sync but if so...wow.
I owe it all to you since you were the one who first brought me to Bill's. Frank joins me in my affection for this place. The opportunity to not just be alive but to know that I'm alive is a great blessing.