Chloe, these are such beautiful and insightful contemplations! I was moved at every paragraph, drawn fluidly from one to the next by the common thread of the heart-aching preciousness of life.
“When one hand is tending to life beginning and the other to life ending, one’s arms are stretched so widely open that the heart is entirely exposed—a most vulnerable and liberating state.” Being able to live in freedom in this state is such a gift of truth, often too scary for people to receive.
“…because when we do not know or understand another being we become detached from the truth of it’s preciousness.” I’ve been contemplating this same subject this week, as I was writing my essay (for Tuesday) about the way that choosing to be curious about the world around us will prompt us to be amazed by it which will prompt caring and connection - so that these simple acts of engagement truly change the world.
“…we are more often punished by our unkindnesses, than for them. We are typically invited into new stages of life. Only after many refusals are we dragged.” This had me so much in mind of my own family, and my own future…
Beautifully written, poignant reflections, lifting hope on the wings of the Swift :)
“… a damaged relationship to wisdom.”Your words around this thought reminded me of a time when three or four generations of a family lived under the same roof. Sometimes for financial reasons. The aged members helped raise the youngest and shared the wisdom from their younger lives. And were loved for their presence. We’ve “advanced” from those days and are bereft of their love. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of Swifts and their living at full speed.
I am 82 and I still have a long way to go (if I am lucky) to match my dad’s 90 years and my mom’s 98. Still healthy and active I thank the god I don’t believe in everyday for the genes they gave me.
It’s been a tough week emotionally. My dad is not been doing well and I spent the week with my parents helping him recover from his last hospitalization. The love, kindness and wisdom you share each week is such a gift. Thank you, Chloe. ❤️
Oh Chloe, your offerings to the world are so healing, soothing and uplifting.
Today I listened to your voice for the first time as you read your words.
WOW, so that adds another level!! Often a voice recording is simply a convenience to the would be reader, but in your case it is a gift, the icing on the cake, the extra special gold embossed edition.
Can only imagine if this was what people heard in their ears first thing in the morning, that our world would be a more thoughtful, considered, and beautiful place.
"... we are more often punished by our unkindnesses, than for them..." Wow. Is that ever true. We can't really know this until we get older. Such a lovely post today, Chloe. I will now have to research swifts - I know nothing about them other than having seen flocks of them dancing in the sky over Algiers a long time ago. Your memory of doves bathing brought back such a memory. I hope you do not mind if I share it here. It's from a travel tale about an April morning in Venice:
"Under an open spigot at the public well in the Campo Santa Maria Formosa, fat grey pigeons are wading around in the puddles, pecking, cooing, wetting their heads. One pigeon flops over onto her side directly under the flowing water and lifts her wing straight up, as if in her own private shower. She now rolls over and lifts the other wing. The sheer ecstasy of the cold bath seems to have washed away all natural fear. She is not concerned with the people, the dogs or the cats roaming about the square; she thinks only of her joy. How I envy her total abandon."
Dearest Chelo, I am sure you have written this with me in mind. 🤣I am in the US visiting my precious 92 years old mom. There is so much wisdom in your words. The reference to your age and your mom's death hits home. I am about to pass the age of my father when he passed.
“When one hand is tending to life beginning and the other to life ending, one’s arms are stretched so widely open that the heart is entirely exposed—a most vulnerable and liberating state.”
Fortunate are the beings whose path lies just there, in between.
"This year, I will become older than my mother was when she died. I’ve noticed that a rather entitled part of me had felt as though I were owed life, up to now, but the years that lie ahead are so clearly gifts." This past year, I too, am older than my mother when she died. At 73 years old I feel like every day is a gift. Thank you for sharing yourself and your wise words. Judy, Vermont, USA.
Such beautiful writing, Chloe, as always. Others here have pointed to those details, so I'll add how happy I am to hear someone singing about swifts. I'm not accustomed to them here in Maine, but I've been haunted by them since reading the title essay in Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald, and then writing about them a bit too. My favorite word for a while was aeroecology...
Your title, by the way, is gorgeous. There's a book there.
Oh I didn’t know you used to live in California! And I totally relate to the love of rain - as someone who lives in LA, it feels like a miracle every time it rains! 🌧️ I was also relieved to be reading about Swift birds, rather than Taylor!
“I can’t help but wonder whether our pathological lauding of it (old age) speaks to a damaged relationship to wisdom.” Such a powerful statement
Chloe, these are such beautiful and insightful contemplations! I was moved at every paragraph, drawn fluidly from one to the next by the common thread of the heart-aching preciousness of life.
“When one hand is tending to life beginning and the other to life ending, one’s arms are stretched so widely open that the heart is entirely exposed—a most vulnerable and liberating state.” Being able to live in freedom in this state is such a gift of truth, often too scary for people to receive.
“…because when we do not know or understand another being we become detached from the truth of it’s preciousness.” I’ve been contemplating this same subject this week, as I was writing my essay (for Tuesday) about the way that choosing to be curious about the world around us will prompt us to be amazed by it which will prompt caring and connection - so that these simple acts of engagement truly change the world.
“…we are more often punished by our unkindnesses, than for them. We are typically invited into new stages of life. Only after many refusals are we dragged.” This had me so much in mind of my own family, and my own future…
Beautifully written, poignant reflections, lifting hope on the wings of the Swift :)
“… a damaged relationship to wisdom.”Your words around this thought reminded me of a time when three or four generations of a family lived under the same roof. Sometimes for financial reasons. The aged members helped raise the youngest and shared the wisdom from their younger lives. And were loved for their presence. We’ve “advanced” from those days and are bereft of their love. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of Swifts and their living at full speed.
I am 82 and I still have a long way to go (if I am lucky) to match my dad’s 90 years and my mom’s 98. Still healthy and active I thank the god I don’t believe in everyday for the genes they gave me.
It’s been a tough week emotionally. My dad is not been doing well and I spent the week with my parents helping him recover from his last hospitalization. The love, kindness and wisdom you share each week is such a gift. Thank you, Chloe. ❤️
Oh Chloe, your offerings to the world are so healing, soothing and uplifting.
Today I listened to your voice for the first time as you read your words.
WOW, so that adds another level!! Often a voice recording is simply a convenience to the would be reader, but in your case it is a gift, the icing on the cake, the extra special gold embossed edition.
Can only imagine if this was what people heard in their ears first thing in the morning, that our world would be a more thoughtful, considered, and beautiful place.
Thank you. xx
"... we are more often punished by our unkindnesses, than for them..." Wow. Is that ever true. We can't really know this until we get older. Such a lovely post today, Chloe. I will now have to research swifts - I know nothing about them other than having seen flocks of them dancing in the sky over Algiers a long time ago. Your memory of doves bathing brought back such a memory. I hope you do not mind if I share it here. It's from a travel tale about an April morning in Venice:
"Under an open spigot at the public well in the Campo Santa Maria Formosa, fat grey pigeons are wading around in the puddles, pecking, cooing, wetting their heads. One pigeon flops over onto her side directly under the flowing water and lifts her wing straight up, as if in her own private shower. She now rolls over and lifts the other wing. The sheer ecstasy of the cold bath seems to have washed away all natural fear. She is not concerned with the people, the dogs or the cats roaming about the square; she thinks only of her joy. How I envy her total abandon."
Dearest Chelo, I am sure you have written this with me in mind. 🤣I am in the US visiting my precious 92 years old mom. There is so much wisdom in your words. The reference to your age and your mom's death hits home. I am about to pass the age of my father when he passed.
“When one hand is tending to life beginning and the other to life ending, one’s arms are stretched so widely open that the heart is entirely exposed—a most vulnerable and liberating state.”
Fortunate are the beings whose path lies just there, in between.
Even the airborne Swift would find delight.
There will be beauty noticed this week because of your own observations shared here.
As always, beautiful.
"This year, I will become older than my mother was when she died. I’ve noticed that a rather entitled part of me had felt as though I were owed life, up to now, but the years that lie ahead are so clearly gifts." This past year, I too, am older than my mother when she died. At 73 years old I feel like every day is a gift. Thank you for sharing yourself and your wise words. Judy, Vermont, USA.
Such beautiful writing, Chloe, as always. Others here have pointed to those details, so I'll add how happy I am to hear someone singing about swifts. I'm not accustomed to them here in Maine, but I've been haunted by them since reading the title essay in Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald, and then writing about them a bit too. My favorite word for a while was aeroecology...
Your title, by the way, is gorgeous. There's a book there.
Love this wondrous piece. And I'm adoring the wondrous reactions from todo el mundo. Bravo!
“Unarmored and graceful” thank you love for this reminder, I will be carrying these words with me as often as I can. Beautiful writing as always.
Oh I didn’t know you used to live in California! And I totally relate to the love of rain - as someone who lives in LA, it feels like a miracle every time it rains! 🌧️ I was also relieved to be reading about Swift birds, rather than Taylor!