Wow. Merry Christmas (Eve) to all of us! What a gift! 10!
I have had some deeply-romantic relationships with older people, and I have written about it all, but never published.
This piece was very inspiring to me. I love to think about the couple reading this together (in print! In The Times!) and that must have been such a beautiful moment for both of them. For me (the younger one, the writer) the clock is ticking. When your lover/friend is on the verge of death, there is something so heavy about every moment. The unwritten essay, at any instant, can become the will-never-be-written essay.
Some of the greatest romances of my life have been friendships. And these friendships have been, in many ways, more mysterious than erotic love: more subtle, less selfish, more attuned to kindness.
Marvelous and Exceptional micro-read that packs so much Essential into the moments invested in reading this jewel. Belongs in Best Ever reads.
DB, Remember and Cherish this one inside the overflowing pulsing ripple of Emerald Green Heart energy for the next stretch ahead.
💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚
One night, Austin chatted about her life as a middle-aged wife in academia. “I completely missed out on the wildness of the ’60s,” she said.
I told her I had missed out, too.
“You weren’t born yet,” she said. “Or hardly.”
Often we cooked together, as we had that first night, after which she would show me whatever painting she was working on. At her request, I also started reading to her from my book-in-progress. We gave each other feedback; our work improved.
When my six-month lease was up, I renewed it. The novel wasn’t finished. Plus, I couldn’t imagine a better neighbor.
Before I knew it, three years had passed. I was writing seven days a week and spending most evenings with Austin. Sometimes she had spells of vertigo now, and when we walked together she held my arm. Often she couldn’t find the right word for something. When she wanted to keep away visitors so she could paint, she hung a sign on her studio door: “Do not destroy.”
Do Not Destroy reminds me of “Shhh…cookies are sleeping” in A Star Is Bored by Byron Lane when the Kathy Cannon character has baked cookies cooling.
Just a perfect story all around -- the subject matter, the style, the economy. Bravo!
This is actually my second time reading this… it’s the kindest revisit I’ve had in awhile. Yay
Great to hear 😊 welcome back!
Wow. Merry Christmas (Eve) to all of us! What a gift! 10!
I have had some deeply-romantic relationships with older people, and I have written about it all, but never published.
This piece was very inspiring to me. I love to think about the couple reading this together (in print! In The Times!) and that must have been such a beautiful moment for both of them. For me (the younger one, the writer) the clock is ticking. When your lover/friend is on the verge of death, there is something so heavy about every moment. The unwritten essay, at any instant, can become the will-never-be-written essay.
Merry Christmas! A gift indeed.
Merry Christmas Thor and a happy, healthy New Year. So glad you are on Team Readup!
Beyond a ten. This is perfection. Absolutely LOVE this! Even the illustration is adorable.
GREAT scout! ❤️❤️
I’ve had improbable friendships like this and they are the best. I love both these people.
This quote stood out to me, too. Incredible read. Loved this one.
A beautiful love story.
Marvelous and Exceptional micro-read that packs so much Essential into the moments invested in reading this jewel. Belongs in Best Ever reads.
DB, Remember and Cherish this one inside the overflowing pulsing ripple of Emerald Green Heart energy for the next stretch ahead.
💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚
Do Not Destroy reminds me of “Shhh…cookies are sleeping” in A Star Is Bored by Byron Lane when the Kathy Cannon character has baked cookies cooling.