I see you! And I find your friendship stimulating, challenging and inspiring. Hoping you receive something valuable to you from me as well. This post feels more like just picking up a pen and writing. Whatever comes well most of your other posts feel more disciplined. I like them both.
This so resonates with me. Discernment comes from the French word “discerner” meaning to sift through. I am using finer and finer nets/screens nowadays in all my choices. And I spend more time “on the couch” simply curled up with myself and my journal and carefully culled books of poetry especially. Time feels so precious. Thank you Susie for your way with words.
This is a very helpful visual...sifting through finer screens. It makes me think of those hard little lumps of flour that remain after the sifting. That must be the stuff discernment has identified has unnecessary. Think how much better the cake will taste!
Beautiful wise piece of writing, Susie. I completely relate to the weakness of the knees when exiting a car and the kindness of strangers (or loved ones) willing to give support.
I see you, recognize you, and would like to lend a hand when your knees get too loose, but we both might tumble.
I hear you re: people best left on the other side of the room, those who are still "almost famous" or always the most aggrieved. At 77, I choose carefully how I spend my time, too: reading, walking, swimming, and having as good conversation with a friend. My favorite travel is to visit someone I love.
Susie, your writing never fails to touch my heart. I have recently told someone that there are some activities I no longer want to engage in because I don’t need any more acquaintances. My cup runneth over with the people in my life, friendships that have stood the test of time and that nourish me. Someone said “ discernment”. Love that.
So beautifully expressed and articulated. I so resonate with this essay. It’s so difficult to spend time with people who are so self involved and don’t “see” or “ hear” me.
Susie, wobby and all, you are a beacon of presence to me. Real. Honest. Observant. Your writing, your insights, and your - (oh my, how delicious they are) - hugs!! You enhance every encounter with who you authentically are. That why being together has always been uplifting, interesting, yes, even fascinating. Thank you for articulating this.
And the last: "I want to be with people who see me, recognize me and are willing to extend a hand when I seem wobbly, even if they’re far away. We will shuffle into paradise together when we share a willingness to do that for each other."
I have a lot of weak in the knees moments these days. Sometimes, I pray the whole world would stop so I could catch up - technology, change, the different world we live in today.
Once again your willingness to be "simply" naked moves and inspires me Susie.
This one took a lot out of me. Glad it reached you.
You have a way of describing life and people perfectly and brilliantly.
Really appreciate your reading.
I see you! And I find your friendship stimulating, challenging and inspiring. Hoping you receive something valuable to you from me as well. This post feels more like just picking up a pen and writing. Whatever comes well most of your other posts feel more disciplined. I like them both.
You are so right, Rachael, (as you often are). The weakness in the knees seemed to generate a more wobbly, stream of consciousness style.
This so resonates with me. Discernment comes from the French word “discerner” meaning to sift through. I am using finer and finer nets/screens nowadays in all my choices. And I spend more time “on the couch” simply curled up with myself and my journal and carefully culled books of poetry especially. Time feels so precious. Thank you Susie for your way with words.
This is a very helpful visual...sifting through finer screens. It makes me think of those hard little lumps of flour that remain after the sifting. That must be the stuff discernment has identified has unnecessary. Think how much better the cake will taste!
And less lumpy bumpy!
Beautiful wise piece of writing, Susie. I completely relate to the weakness of the knees when exiting a car and the kindness of strangers (or loved ones) willing to give support.
Thank you, Paula. I love your writing as well and hope you'll be willing to share it on the Many Voices feature of seventysomething.
This is beautiful. Thank you.
You're very welcome. I really appreciate your reading.
What can I say. You and writers like you are the reason I have paused writing elsewhere and am settling back into Substack. It's real. Thanks Susie.
So glad you're here!
I see you, recognize you, and would like to lend a hand when your knees get too loose, but we both might tumble.
I hear you re: people best left on the other side of the room, those who are still "almost famous" or always the most aggrieved. At 77, I choose carefully how I spend my time, too: reading, walking, swimming, and having as good conversation with a friend. My favorite travel is to visit someone I love.
Couldn't agree more with your outline of worthwhile activities. It might not seem like much, but indeed it's everything.
Discernment. The ability to live a fuller life. Wish I had learned it sooner.
I guess the lesson is it happens when it happens.
Susie, your writing never fails to touch my heart. I have recently told someone that there are some activities I no longer want to engage in because I don’t need any more acquaintances. My cup runneth over with the people in my life, friendships that have stood the test of time and that nourish me. Someone said “ discernment”. Love that.
I imagine that there are many people who feel isolated and have the opposite problem. But having too many acquaintances is a real challenge.
So beautifully expressed and articulated. I so resonate with this essay. It’s so difficult to spend time with people who are so self involved and don’t “see” or “ hear” me.
I've felt this way for years but I'm much more able to act on it than I used to be.
Susie, wobby and all, you are a beacon of presence to me. Real. Honest. Observant. Your writing, your insights, and your - (oh my, how delicious they are) - hugs!! You enhance every encounter with who you authentically are. That why being together has always been uplifting, interesting, yes, even fascinating. Thank you for articulating this.
That's a lot of good stuff to take in all at once. I'm trying my best! You are a dear to reflect all that back to me.
And the last: "I want to be with people who see me, recognize me and are willing to extend a hand when I seem wobbly, even if they’re far away. We will shuffle into paradise together when we share a willingness to do that for each other."
Another 'Amen'!
Thanks again, Mary. So gratifying to be heard. It's the best!
"Sometimes I pray in vain that the words will stop."
Amen, Sister! This is only one of your many articulated feelings that echoes. Thank you ....
And I'm a word person! Sometimes I just want to be all three of the monkeys...hear no evil and so on.
I absolutely LOVE this essay. I resonated with so much. And I laughed out loud too! Thank you, Susie
The gag lines are essential. Otherwise life is just too difficult.
I have a lot of weak in the knees moments these days. Sometimes, I pray the whole world would stop so I could catch up - technology, change, the different world we live in today.
That seems to be related to praying that the words will stop. We'll have to concentrate on our breathing to get through this.