We thought about pulling over somewhere along the way in the central coast of California and changing into our bathing suits so that we could roll up my parents’ driveway, jump out of the car, and run straight into the hot tub. A grand reunion requires a grand entrance, doesn’t it?
Love is a practice, an ethic, even or especially among family. And we're all rivers, even our bones replacing each and every cell every thirteen years. I am so excited to re-meet all the people. All their bodies. To hug them and feel a different indent pushing out. And now I am definitely wearing my swimsuit on the plane.
We are skin, bones muscle and spirit. The spirit, the essence an organ too, like skin replacing itself every 27 days. A visit of the the seeing me type, to which you refer, once a month to keep track, longer to be amazed and appreciate the next version.
Such a powerful piece for me this morning. I thought it was because my biggest sorrow growing up was that it never seemed my family could "see me NOW." Like many of my friends of that era--I always felt pigeon-holed in some past stage of development (and often reverted to it on family visits.) I was sometimes teased if I insisted that I was no longer a vegetarian or "always late." But yes, this ability to see and receive each other in the now is the essence of human closeness and the moments we managed that in my family are precious to me. It's so wonderful to hear of a family of origin--both yours and your children's--where this is an acknowledged practice!
As I sat down to share this, another thought came: there are cultures where this practice is built in. When working in South Africa, I took an evening course in Zulu and the first thing we learned was the greeting people give on the street: "Sawubona!" I see you. The answer is "Yebo, sawubona," I see you seeing me. Somehow this goes very deep with me today. I've been zooming regularly with South African writer/activist friends who have no prospects of vaccination for themselves, much less safety for the communities they work with. Let us hope this year can expand our vision.
Love is a practice, an ethic, even or especially among family. And we're all rivers, even our bones replacing each and every cell every thirteen years. I am so excited to re-meet all the people. All their bodies. To hug them and feel a different indent pushing out. And now I am definitely wearing my swimsuit on the plane.
We are skin, bones muscle and spirit. The spirit, the essence an organ too, like skin replacing itself every 27 days. A visit of the the seeing me type, to which you refer, once a month to keep track, longer to be amazed and appreciate the next version.
Such a powerful piece for me this morning. I thought it was because my biggest sorrow growing up was that it never seemed my family could "see me NOW." Like many of my friends of that era--I always felt pigeon-holed in some past stage of development (and often reverted to it on family visits.) I was sometimes teased if I insisted that I was no longer a vegetarian or "always late." But yes, this ability to see and receive each other in the now is the essence of human closeness and the moments we managed that in my family are precious to me. It's so wonderful to hear of a family of origin--both yours and your children's--where this is an acknowledged practice!
As I sat down to share this, another thought came: there are cultures where this practice is built in. When working in South Africa, I took an evening course in Zulu and the first thing we learned was the greeting people give on the street: "Sawubona!" I see you. The answer is "Yebo, sawubona," I see you seeing me. Somehow this goes very deep with me today. I've been zooming regularly with South African writer/activist friends who have no prospects of vaccination for themselves, much less safety for the communities they work with. Let us hope this year can expand our vision.
Crying on the toilet like a godamned Olympian...
Straight to my heart this morning. I see you all. XO.
Love is mutual. I am in you as you are in me. See me and be seen. A beautiful piece of true intimacy — “In to you, I see”
Of COURSE Stella loves Annie Lennox. All the cool kids do.
This was a beautiful read, thank you very much!