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Last night, as I stood at the stove at my own birthday party and created, stirred, and spiced the soup, I listened to all of you (my children included) talking, laughing, connecting. You thought I was fussing over a dish, but hearing all my people meet and love each other as much as I love you all was one of the true gifts of the party. I am in awe of who I get to call Friends, new, long-time, and in between. Thank you, thank you.
Spiral: the perpetual dance of chaos and order = life, moments, parties, friendships, love.
Some of you were there in spirit rather than body because of all the brilliant schtuff to do in our little city last night (how I wish I could’ve split myself in half to go to all of it!). I felt your presence, especially whilst dancing. Thank you for that certainty.
Some of you didn’t come because I didn’t make my deadline (emphasis on the “my”). What you should know is where I am right now: at the computer (at my store), The Oat Project doc open, DOing it. Making my house clean for guests was another of the true gifts of taking the time to have a party…the ability to stand at the home desk and look upon loveliness instead of the messy results of being so busy = the space to finish the book. Thank you for your tenacious, patient, love and support, even when you’re frustrated with this process.
And I needed to reconnect, have been isolating for so long–for so many reasons–needed to remember, with these stronger, grief-tempered emotional muscles, my part in a community. Thank you.
This is the last push. The Last Push. Y’all won’t be seeing me much for a while, as I’m heading back into the lonely/rich place of manuscript only. See you on the other side, and thank you, so deeply, thank you, for your love, care, and the impetus/inspiration to keep writing. You make my life. Love and hugs, Jene’
I was thinking about you …we will get together soon. We will connect over food in the near future
Your friend in the periphery,
Karen
The beauty of the spiral: there is no periphery. 🙂 Breathe deeply, my friend, and soon soon. Love, Jene’
You will make your deadline, whenever it is. Your new friend Lucky
Oh, Lucky, it was so wonderful to meet and connect with you. 🙂 Thank you. I’m just doing it. Hoping you’re warm and well. Jene’
I love how you painted a visual of you “creating” (rather than merely cooking!) and set that within the context of the interplay between chaos and order. Nice writing, Jene 🙂
Thank you so much, Sean. 🙂