You Are Here
plotting our course, leaving our mark...
I’m of two minds (at least, maybe a few more) about the whole idea of examining my life publicly. To Mind #1, it feels an icky bit narcissistic: you (me/Elise) are one in billions of lives that have had their turn on this planet. What makes you (me/Elise) noteworthy in any way? But then Mind #2 chimes in: if we all felt thusly, there would be no record whatsoever of the human story. So I opt in on marking my spot on the Sign in the Great Shopping Mall of Life (You Are Here, between Cinnabon and Macy’s). Mine is a relatively small observance (no Mount Rushmore or Pyramid of Giza), but by gum I AM here. And so, my dear friends, are you.
BOOK/EVENT: THE ALCHEMY TOUR WITH SULEIKA JAOUAD
I have quoted Suleika before in this newsletter, so inspired by her difficult, beautiful life journey. At this writing, she and her husband, celebrated musician Jon Batiste, are on a road trip, traveling through the USA with “The Alchemy Tour.” Suleika just published The Book of Alchemy, on ode to the art of journaling. I was very blessed to attend opening night in Philly last week, along with my dear friend Holly. It was a gorgeous, life-affirming evening, with Suleika and Jon sharing stories, making music (piano, voice, double bass) and challenging the audience to document their own lives in whatever way works (journals, songs, poetry). Suleika has recently been diagnosed with a third bout of cancer, so this is not a hypothetical situation. Recognizing that we none of us get out of here alive, let’s take this opportunity to leave our unique marks. And to turn our “average” existences into pure gold.
ANOTHER WAY TO EXAMINE A LIFE…THROUGH MOVIES!
Last year, I learned about the book A Whole Life in Twelve Movies. It was co-written by Kathleen Norris, whose other works I had read and adored (notably, The Cloister Walk, which chronicled her transformative year with an order of Benedictine monks. As a movie buff and a small-group groupie, the notion of watching a dozen films relating to twelve phases of life (from “waiting to be born”—2001: A Space Odyssey to “death and beyond” —After Life) with a small band of good friends, was powerfully appealing. And it has proven to be a wonderful experience. My buddies and I are watching The Fisher King this month and look forward to some deep sharing about “the breaking and re-making of self,” which, after all, is our life’s work…
AND HERE ARE SOME VERY WELL-LIVED LIVES…
#1 ALEXIA ALLEN AND HAWTHORN FARM
I have encountered many examples of well-lived lives over the years, several of which I have written about in “E-Musings” (Pastors Violet Little and Mary Laymon, among others). Today I want to spotlight my friend Alexia Allen and her life partner Daniel Kirchhof, and their dream-come-true of a unique and vibrant Pacific Northwest farm. Hawthorn Farm (in Woodinville, WA) includes acres of fruits and vegetables, and an array of animals from goats and rabbits, to chickens and a horse. The Farm hosts groups of youth and adults for hands-on programs dealing with sustainability and love of the land. Farm residents (the “farmily” that includes our Evan), live in yurts on the property, and contribute their gifts and talents to farm life. I will be there again in May, and look forward to revisiting the magical Hawthorn community…
#2 FRANCIS: THE PEOPLE’S POPE
The world lost one of the (very) good ones last week, with the death of Pope Francis. Born Jorge Bergoglio in Argentina, he was known for his kindness, his humor and, above all, his humility. We will always be so grateful to have seen him, and heard him speak, in St. Peter’s Square almost exactly seven years ago. Francis’s motto was “miserando atque eligendo” (“lowly, but chosen by God”). From his modest residence, to the plain wooden coffin in which he was laid to rest, he exuded a holy simplicity. I will always remember his heart for the poor and refugees, and pray that leaders of all faiths follow this Pope’s example, as he followed that of Jesus.
Please take a bit of time to check out this documentary…very well done.
#3 BRANDON STANTON AND HUMANS OF NEW YORK
15 years ago, Brandon Stanton arrived in NYC by bus. “I saw New York for the first time in 2010. I was twenty-six years old, recently laid off, travelling around the country with a vague ambition to become a photographer. I never had any intention of staying in the city; it was just another stop. But when my bus pulled out of Lincoln Tunnel, I saw the people. I’d never seen so many people, in so small a place. That night I created an album called ‘Humans of New York.’ And the next day, with a trembling voice, I stopped a few people on the street to ask for their portrait. It’s been fifteen years since that day, and I never stopped. I’ve been able to photograph and interview ten thousand people around the world. I’ve learned so much: about photography, about interviewing, about writing, about life.”
Here’s a recent story. about Paul Ninson, and his dream of founding Ghana’s first photography library. Today, with the support of HONY readers and fans, that library is a reality (30,000 volumes!) and Paul’s Awo Institute is now digitizing Africa’s precious photo and oral history at the rate of 5,000 items per DAY…
But do read several stories while you’re over on the Humans of New York Facebook page. I am betting the people they chronicle will leave footprints on your heart.
ANIMAL TRACK-ERS
Who goes there? We all leave our foot (or paw or hoof) prints on the Earth…some more noticeably than others. City sidewalks (unless they are in the just-poured concrete state) do not retain the marks of the fashionable Louboutins and Chuck Taylors that tread upon them, alas. But nature is much more revealing…
SONG: LIVING AND LIVING WELL
In this, our 49th year of marriage, how lucky we are that Steve and I have lived well together all this time! However my life is marked, it is blessed by our loving partnership, from children’s theatre to our own personal children and far, far beyond…
BLOG PREVIEW: CHICKEN JOCKEYS!
In this increasingly isolated world, we humans long for meaningful connection. Lacking the “meaningful” part, we shout at movie screens. Here’s my Minecraft story…
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud”—Maya Angelou
That there are many cloudy days in life’s weather forecast, there is no doubt. But we can transform those cloudy days into something beautiful for one another. What better way to spend a life? Have a very special week, my friends!
