11 Comments
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betsy mctiernan's avatar

“…this sort of thing vibrated like a camel ride across the desert.” What a great image! This essay is perfect—the topic and images flow rhythmically. (And all three of these jobs sound fascinating.)

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

This was a meaningful inquiry for me since my journey through life as a person without a formal career caused me great distress for many years. But now I see that there was always something I was doing that was important....at least to me.

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betsy mctiernan's avatar

And to many others. People would say I had a career at SUNY. But I believe I had a mission. And, like you, I feel lucky to be able to look back and believe that I was doing something important.

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Jinks Hoffmann's avatar

Marvelous story telling. So clear, I am right back there with you asking questions, listening with fascination to the answers.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thought a lot about Spiritual Direction when I wrote this. Was mostly fascinated by how much of my life I’ve spent asking.

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Jinks Hoffmann's avatar

I so identify with you here. I could hear about a person's day from the moment they wake up, what cereal they like, as much as what makes them tremble in wonder. For hours...

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

It's the stuff of fiction, all art in some ways, as well as the work you do with directees and clients.

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Renée's avatar

So beautifully written! Thank you for sharing this.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thank you, Renee. Your support means so much.

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Annette Laing's avatar

That's not archaeology, Susie! That's oral history, and on behalf of future historians, thank you so very much for your role in saving people's stories. Even though I'm an early American historian by training, I've used oral history transcripts for various projects, and they're a godsend.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I love evidence of all kinds, oral and written. Was at one time an archivist....But the spoken word is the most immediate.

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