I love Mary Oliver, but have never seen this quote. I had to mull it over for awhile and still was not sure what the message is. but here’s what I came up with – sometimes we just have to jump into life with both feet, even if we’re shaking and our eyes are squinched up tight -sometimes plugging our ears to nay-sayers and saying “lah lah lah lah like incorrigible children – to honor and pay attention to the gifts life presents. so when I went for my walk today, I was thinking about it all – and I saw my very first true, deep lilac and periwinkle colored clouds, just before dusk. so even if I misinterpreted MO’s intended meaning, I’m still thinking of those lovely clouds, and NOT thinking about cancer. thanks, Marie!
Karen, thanks for your thoughtful response to today’s quote. Mary Oliver is one of my very favorite poets and like you I hadn’t read these lines of hers before, but they really spoke to me. I read it as abandoning yourself to life – not holding back. I love your interpretation and experience out walking. Thanks again for all your support and wonderful comments – they really touch me and so many others x
thank you so much for your responses to my comment. you will never know how much of a boost you’ve given me for your kind and uplifting words. staying connected to our BC community is a life-line for me through these days of grief and yet another round of cancer treatment. my joy and gratitude quotient just rose a good many notches!
". . .and the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and JOYFUL, by which we arrive at the ground at our own feet, and learn to be at home."
Wendell Berry
dear Marie,
I love Mary Oliver, but have never seen this quote. I had to mull it over for awhile and still was not sure what the message is. but here’s what I came up with – sometimes we just have to jump into life with both feet, even if we’re shaking and our eyes are squinched up tight -sometimes plugging our ears to nay-sayers and saying “lah lah lah lah like incorrigible children – to honor and pay attention to the gifts life presents. so when I went for my walk today, I was thinking about it all – and I saw my very first true, deep lilac and periwinkle colored clouds, just before dusk. so even if I misinterpreted MO’s intended meaning, I’m still thinking of those lovely clouds, and NOT thinking about cancer. thanks, Marie!
much love and light,
Karen XOXO
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Karen, your comments always fill me with happiness! Many thanks to Marie for connecting us via this blog.
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Karen, thanks for your thoughtful response to today’s quote. Mary Oliver is one of my very favorite poets and like you I hadn’t read these lines of hers before, but they really spoke to me. I read it as abandoning yourself to life – not holding back. I love your interpretation and experience out walking. Thanks again for all your support and wonderful comments – they really touch me and so many others x
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dear Marie and Nancy,
thank you so much for your responses to my comment. you will never know how much of a boost you’ve given me for your kind and uplifting words. staying connected to our BC community is a life-line for me through these days of grief and yet another round of cancer treatment. my joy and gratitude quotient just rose a good many notches!
much love and light to you both, xoxo
karen
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