I am so so happy I've stumbled upon your substack! As a person who spends an odd amount of time thinking about mortality, and a scientist of bird cognition, I'm not sure a more perfect newsletter exists. And what a wonderful reminder on a Sunday morning to search for small joys in this fleeting life x
It's just as you say, Chloe- exactly as you say. I'm on my last half decade. I've kept death before me for many years now and the world was made more poignant thereby. Now, let the world in all its bright vivid beauty turn to a mist and something like an expansive great joy arise- a joy that holds fox and crow, boy and lady, train and passenger, all in its compassionate radience.
The world has been lucky to be on the receiving end of your attention, Michael. It’s an honour to be held in your joyful compassion, as it is to hold you in mine.
The image of the playful fox and crow stays with me, Chloe. I once watched a small herd of deer racing back-and-forth across our backyard at sunrise just after a rare 2 inch snowfall. The deer were just playing in the snow with the wild abandon, much the way the neighborhood children were about to do.
It's impossible not to smile, imagining your deer neighbours enjoying the snow, Ann. Have you ever seen Crows playing in snow? There's a video somewhere of a crow on a London rooftop using a piece of wood as a ski, it's wonderful!
One month ago, I stared into the eyes of a Bear. Standing less than 4 ft in front of me. What did I see you may ask. I saw time. An entire life. Moments, as they form into thought. I think the bear saw the same. After what seemed a lifetime, he walked a distance away, turned and contemplated me once more , for an eternity, then casually making his way into the deep brush. And in those moments , I inhaled my life . When he was no longer in view, exhaled a great amount of joy and laughter. So this is what it is to be human . I knew just who I’d share my story with.♥️
This is it! This is what it is to be human. An inhale, eyes meeting eyes, moments, thought, fear, contemplations, awe, departures, joy, laughter, sharing stories, love, an exhale. Love. ♥️
I woke up this morning and reached for my phone. Probably within ten seconds. (I was moving slowly.) I’m in the countryside this weekend and there is birdsong everywhere. This morning there were crows. Lots of them and they were very worked up about something. It is a Sunday morning so I checked in on the most important part of my life (nope, my post still hadn’t gone out yet) and then remembered it’s the Chloe Hope Alternate Sunday. “Let me check in there.”
The crows are REALLY worked up about something I’m thinking. After reading this I won’t be surprised if there’s a hula hoop by the cottage door.
Our crows were super worked up this morning, too. Way more vocal than normal. As you might imagine, David and I have been well trained and we both get up and head outside as soon as we hear birds alarming. Turned out there was a white tailed eagle over the garden and they were pissed about it. Amazing to see, though.
Wishing your nephew and his beloved the most beautiful day ❤️
I was walking on the beach yesterday and started reading words scrawled in the sand…. ‘You are g….’ good enough - my mind finished the sentence before my eyes. It actually read ‘You are going to die’. It made me wonder who wrote it and why, out of spite or a cosmic nudge … I hope it was following your beautiful words.
Thank you for sharing, Lou. It's so interesting to think of all the different reactions that those five words would have prompted, regardless of the authors intent, depending on the readers relationship to that palpable truth. I hope it had at least a few people be a little more present to their beach walk than they might have been otherwise :)
Me too feels all that exact things, but there's always a melancholy in it, when we understood that our moments are limited, it makes us to see everything in different dimension. Death is inevitable. I want to live like little bird before my call to another nest.
What a beautiful reflection on the interconnectedness of life, death, and the present moment. Your encounter with the fox and crow reminds me of a quote by Alan Watts: "This is the real secret of life – to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play." Your words echo this sentiment, highlighting the playful, even dance-like, nature of existence. The reminder of mortality doesn't negate life's joy but amplifies it, sharpening our focus on the preciousness of each breath.
Another piece of perfection. I think I can save the best of these gems on Substack. This is definitely one of those posts. Superb. Thank you SO much. Sending joy and love and hope your way. ❤️🐾🐞🐛🎉💕
I'm so grateful for your vivid and rich anecdotes!
And my goodness-- both stories of play, so sweet. I used to play hide and seek with my cat, and it was so fun to 'communicate' with her in that manner, for what is play if not a social building block (for animals and people)?
Playing with animals is such a profound joy. That kind of communication is so easeful, and it always feels like such a privilege for an animal to see you as it's equal, I find.
Your writing soars Chloe, thank you. I was scanning a hedgerow near the edge of town - hoping for a Little Owl - when your post arrived. Just the memento mori I needed. Little Owl or no Little Owl, it's a privilege to be peering into a willow with the sun on your back and the ravens tumbling through the air.
Beautiful! Absolutely stunning observings and writing. I feel blessed to vicariously experience the games of fox and crow, of you and the Cambodian children, the daisy growing through the tarmack, the little reminders of living with death on the horizon.
You have a beautiful perspective. I was in Cambodia in 2023 and loved both people and country. I could picture you playing with the children and experiencing what you described. Thank you for reminding me that beauty exists.
Isn't it the most extraordinary place? I hope to go back, one day, though I'm sure it's much changed. Very special people. Thank you for briefly joining me there, today :)
The older I get the smaller and deeper my life becomes. Moments that last forever are all around us, all the time. It brings me such joy to hear you speak of them. I still see much of what Richard Rohr calls “first half of life energy” in this world, which is a necessary season through which we must all pass. I’ve come to accept that, though I wish I had passed through it sooner and saved myself and those I love from much pain, it was the journey I had to take. My younger self, much like the young woman sitting in the dust having plastic hoops tossed at her, had many such encounters that whispered of a world I longed for. Unfortunately I was taught and I believed that world was only to be found beyond this life. I am daily filled with gratitude to have lived long enough to move beyond this constricting view of life, to see that we are living in worlds every day, every moment. What an amazing privilege! And thank you for voicing the reality so many of us, however belatedly, are experiencing. Peace.
I am so so happy I've stumbled upon your substack! As a person who spends an odd amount of time thinking about mortality, and a scientist of bird cognition, I'm not sure a more perfect newsletter exists. And what a wonderful reminder on a Sunday morning to search for small joys in this fleeting life x
I'm so happy to be stumbled upon! A scientist of bird cognition..?! Let's be friends..? x
Yes please!! 🥰 So excited to read more of your work. I've just joined substack and my first post is on the dead (featuring some of my PhD work on jackdaw chicks) - it might be up your street! https://open.substack.com/pub/betweentwoseas/p/i-am-surrounded-by-the-dead?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2fr2ht
💚
It's just as you say, Chloe- exactly as you say. I'm on my last half decade. I've kept death before me for many years now and the world was made more poignant thereby. Now, let the world in all its bright vivid beauty turn to a mist and something like an expansive great joy arise- a joy that holds fox and crow, boy and lady, train and passenger, all in its compassionate radience.
The world has been lucky to be on the receiving end of your attention, Michael. It’s an honour to be held in your joyful compassion, as it is to hold you in mine.
5? 10? Decades and years come and go but Life happens in each moment. So gad to be ere too.
The image of the playful fox and crow stays with me, Chloe. I once watched a small herd of deer racing back-and-forth across our backyard at sunrise just after a rare 2 inch snowfall. The deer were just playing in the snow with the wild abandon, much the way the neighborhood children were about to do.
It's impossible not to smile, imagining your deer neighbours enjoying the snow, Ann. Have you ever seen Crows playing in snow? There's a video somewhere of a crow on a London rooftop using a piece of wood as a ski, it's wonderful!
I found this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0a_X156Cqk
So goofy! Adorable.
Total goofballs. This was the one I was thinking of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WupH8oyrAo
Love the way they pack up and take the snow saucer with them at the end—Brilliant!
Probably off in search of a steeper roof!
To be fluent in eyebrows is now my life’s ambition. Thank you for this gorgeous reminder of the many rewards of presence and play.
Solid ambition to have, Julie! I find that dogs are very good at speaking eyebrows...
Truly. ❤️
One month ago, I stared into the eyes of a Bear. Standing less than 4 ft in front of me. What did I see you may ask. I saw time. An entire life. Moments, as they form into thought. I think the bear saw the same. After what seemed a lifetime, he walked a distance away, turned and contemplated me once more , for an eternity, then casually making his way into the deep brush. And in those moments , I inhaled my life . When he was no longer in view, exhaled a great amount of joy and laughter. So this is what it is to be human . I knew just who I’d share my story with.♥️
This is it! This is what it is to be human. An inhale, eyes meeting eyes, moments, thought, fear, contemplations, awe, departures, joy, laughter, sharing stories, love, an exhale. Love. ♥️
What a joy it is to arrive at the realisation that death is the greatest and most precious motivation in life.
It's ultimately why I've become able to relate to Death as a good friend. Because she keeps snapping her fingers at me when I get distracted :)
I woke up this morning and reached for my phone. Probably within ten seconds. (I was moving slowly.) I’m in the countryside this weekend and there is birdsong everywhere. This morning there were crows. Lots of them and they were very worked up about something. It is a Sunday morning so I checked in on the most important part of my life (nope, my post still hadn’t gone out yet) and then remembered it’s the Chloe Hope Alternate Sunday. “Let me check in there.”
The crows are REALLY worked up about something I’m thinking. After reading this I won’t be surprised if there’s a hula hoop by the cottage door.
Today I’m headed to the wedding of my nephew.
Our crows were super worked up this morning, too. Way more vocal than normal. As you might imagine, David and I have been well trained and we both get up and head outside as soon as we hear birds alarming. Turned out there was a white tailed eagle over the garden and they were pissed about it. Amazing to see, though.
Wishing your nephew and his beloved the most beautiful day ❤️
I was walking on the beach yesterday and started reading words scrawled in the sand…. ‘You are g….’ good enough - my mind finished the sentence before my eyes. It actually read ‘You are going to die’. It made me wonder who wrote it and why, out of spite or a cosmic nudge … I hope it was following your beautiful words.
Thank you for sharing, Lou. It's so interesting to think of all the different reactions that those five words would have prompted, regardless of the authors intent, depending on the readers relationship to that palpable truth. I hope it had at least a few people be a little more present to their beach walk than they might have been otherwise :)
Me too feels all that exact things, but there's always a melancholy in it, when we understood that our moments are limited, it makes us to see everything in different dimension. Death is inevitable. I want to live like little bird before my call to another nest.
Beautifully said. I love this nest of ours, but I'm excited for the next one, nonetheless :)
...before my call to another nest.
👏👍🙏🏻🌌🌈
What a beautiful reflection on the interconnectedness of life, death, and the present moment. Your encounter with the fox and crow reminds me of a quote by Alan Watts: "This is the real secret of life – to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play." Your words echo this sentiment, highlighting the playful, even dance-like, nature of existence. The reminder of mortality doesn't negate life's joy but amplifies it, sharpening our focus on the preciousness of each breath.
Oh, thank you for sharing that, Alexander. Alan never failed to nail it in a single sentence!! And, yes, I really do find that it amplifies joy.
Another piece of perfection. I think I can save the best of these gems on Substack. This is definitely one of those posts. Superb. Thank you SO much. Sending joy and love and hope your way. ❤️🐾🐞🐛🎉💕
Thank YOU, dearest Beth. So much love to you, always 💜🪶🌿🐚🌀
I'm so grateful for your vivid and rich anecdotes!
And my goodness-- both stories of play, so sweet. I used to play hide and seek with my cat, and it was so fun to 'communicate' with her in that manner, for what is play if not a social building block (for animals and people)?
Playing with animals is such a profound joy. That kind of communication is so easeful, and it always feels like such a privilege for an animal to see you as it's equal, I find.
Your writing soars Chloe, thank you. I was scanning a hedgerow near the edge of town - hoping for a Little Owl - when your post arrived. Just the memento mori I needed. Little Owl or no Little Owl, it's a privilege to be peering into a willow with the sun on your back and the ravens tumbling through the air.
Oh, Charlie, isn't it just! I like to imagine that there was a Little Owl watching you and equally enjoying the moment. Big love.
Beautiful! Absolutely stunning observings and writing. I feel blessed to vicariously experience the games of fox and crow, of you and the Cambodian children, the daisy growing through the tarmack, the little reminders of living with death on the horizon.
Thank you for sharing your gifts 🦉🙏 🩵
Oh, thank you for joining me in them, Veronika 💛
You have a beautiful perspective. I was in Cambodia in 2023 and loved both people and country. I could picture you playing with the children and experiencing what you described. Thank you for reminding me that beauty exists.
Isn't it the most extraordinary place? I hope to go back, one day, though I'm sure it's much changed. Very special people. Thank you for briefly joining me there, today :)
The older I get the smaller and deeper my life becomes. Moments that last forever are all around us, all the time. It brings me such joy to hear you speak of them. I still see much of what Richard Rohr calls “first half of life energy” in this world, which is a necessary season through which we must all pass. I’ve come to accept that, though I wish I had passed through it sooner and saved myself and those I love from much pain, it was the journey I had to take. My younger self, much like the young woman sitting in the dust having plastic hoops tossed at her, had many such encounters that whispered of a world I longed for. Unfortunately I was taught and I believed that world was only to be found beyond this life. I am daily filled with gratitude to have lived long enough to move beyond this constricting view of life, to see that we are living in worlds every day, every moment. What an amazing privilege! And thank you for voicing the reality so many of us, however belatedly, are experiencing. Peace.
Robert, thank you. I'm so glad you were able to find your way to a less constrictive view. Peace to you.