We sat in a circle of chairs, spaced a few feet apart, as the light faded and the air grew crisp in the backyard. White lights were strewn artfully around the fecund apple tree. In the big beautiful window of my friend’s cozy house beyond, I could see her husband getting the last snacks of the day for her two wild haired kids, who crept up to the window and peered out every once in awhile. I wondered what they were wondering.
Courtney, I love your essay!! Your words, feelings, observations, consciousness are profound and capture my own experience. I will share this gift with my cherished women friends.
Thank you so much for articulating such a complex reality. Bev
I am imagining a collection of tapestries, representing the different ways we weave ourselves together with those with whom we move through life. For some it is the live, in-person circle of women. Others maintain their longest and deepest connections through voices or even letters across hundreds or thousands of miles of distance. My best friend and I have communicated several times a week for 50 years, living on opposite coasts for forty of them. We have grown up together and are growing old together.
Thank you, Courtney, for recognizing the often neglected yet vital gift of listening, of truly hearing our women friends. I an of an older generation than you, but this truth you speak carries across the ages. Again, thank you!
A silver lining of the pandemic was the clarification of 'my' people - Who belongs to me, and to whom do I belong?
Two different groups of women emerged - somewhat to my surprise. (The walkie talkies; The Dance Pals)
It seems to me that the strength is in the group dynamics, too. There are individual friendships within the groups but the power comes from the gathering. I find this intriguing.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
Courtney, I read your emails every day and am always blown away by the depth of your essays and the way I resonate with each one. I feel that I have known you forever and that we are best buddies and even though we have never met I feel that I live vicariously through you. The world needs to see through your point of view to realize that we are all one with the One.
Courtney, I love your essay!! Your words, feelings, observations, consciousness are profound and capture my own experience. I will share this gift with my cherished women friends.
Thank you so much for articulating such a complex reality. Bev
I am imagining a collection of tapestries, representing the different ways we weave ourselves together with those with whom we move through life. For some it is the live, in-person circle of women. Others maintain their longest and deepest connections through voices or even letters across hundreds or thousands of miles of distance. My best friend and I have communicated several times a week for 50 years, living on opposite coasts for forty of them. We have grown up together and are growing old together.
What a lovely tribute to friendship. Thank you!
Thank you, Courtney, for recognizing the often neglected yet vital gift of listening, of truly hearing our women friends. I an of an older generation than you, but this truth you speak carries across the ages. Again, thank you!
Love your readings!
Thanks, Courtney.
A silver lining of the pandemic was the clarification of 'my' people - Who belongs to me, and to whom do I belong?
Two different groups of women emerged - somewhat to my surprise. (The walkie talkies; The Dance Pals)
It seems to me that the strength is in the group dynamics, too. There are individual friendships within the groups but the power comes from the gathering. I find this intriguing.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
Terry V.
Courtney, I read your emails every day and am always blown away by the depth of your essays and the way I resonate with each one. I feel that I have known you forever and that we are best buddies and even though we have never met I feel that I live vicariously through you. The world needs to see through your point of view to realize that we are all one with the One.