This is such a beautiful piece. I've also been recently appreciating "pretty pockets of humanity" (such a great phrase!) and there's so much of it out in the real world which is easy to forget sometimes. Thank you for sharing this story, it sounds like your neighborhood is filled with caring people who look after one another.
🥹 thank you, you are too! it really does it hard, sometimes it's a good reminder that the little things have an impact, whether or not we see those ripples!
What an ode to mundane moments, and to that duality in which we're always navigating, light and darkness, death and life.
"Everything changes" is what Suzuki answered when pressed to express Buddhism's teachings in a nutshell. The important thing is to be aware of those constant and never-ending changes, and there, as you rightly point out, is where beauty is. And it's everywhere! Happening all the time, if you really pay attention.
"I think about all that is happening in the background and foreground of my life and yours, I think about all that is happening with and without our knowing" That is an overwhelming quantity of thoughts generated, almost unbearable to think about, but really a maze to behold, and also as you say, be grateful we can think about. It made me think of Borges' Funes el Memorioso and other short stories in Ficciones.
"I remember, at some point, I touched my face and felt tears." This phrase, this story and its details, will stay with me for a long time. It feels so carefully, but also effortlessly, laid out.
Ahhh. The only constant is change! Yes. The changes truly are everywhere. I think the struggle is in the fact that I don't know how to *unsee* them, but that can definitely be more of a gift than anything, if I let it be, that is. The never-ending journey of accepting life as it is, and not resisting that reality!
Appreciate your kind and thoughtful words as always, Oscar!
I love, love, love this piece, Sandra! It has such a "slice of life" quality to it, and yet it reveals such deep and poignant feelings and truths. To me, it evokes tender feelings I cherished when reading Tobias Wolff or Vikram Seth.
I completely agree with Chao. I was struggling to find the right phrase to describe this wonderful piece, and "slice of life" really fits. There is something very emotional and evocative about this story, and the way you rendered it. Good job Sandra!
"How much life is beginning, unfolding, and ending around me, with and without my knowing." What a beautiful way to name being a bystander to death and all the emotions that entails. I love that you give new life to Joe in this essay, Sandra. It's generous and beautiful.
What a beautiful essay, Sandra!!!!! Great work on this!!!!!!! I love how you honored your neighbor Joe by sharing his daily life with us, and how your words you are creating a permanence, a new life online, around an essence of him that brought you joy.
This whole piece gave me a new perspective on death and absence. Death, and non-existence, feels very permanent, while life feels very temporary. I’m resonating with the overwhelm of life bustling the background. There are too many friends and family that are living their best life right now, and I’m not tapped in as intimately as I hope. They’re doing their thing in my background, but I only check in with them a couple times a month, and get a snapshot of their life. You’ve inspired me to be a lil more active, and be fully attentive to those loved ones when I’m with them.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful essay, I’m looking forward to reading many more this summer <3
What an interesting thought about creating a permanence through writing and sharing something online. I didn't think about it that way.
I think we're all stumbling with what's in the background, but belongs in the foreground of our lives. It's probably a lot of trial and error, learning, forgetting, then relearning all over again. Hopefully not before it's too late.
Hi Sandra, I liked how you said you struggle to accept change and endings. As you witness it so beautifully. Perhaps this "ending" was the creation of a space for a pocket of kindness which your neighbour and his son filled. And maybe every ending is just that- An opportunity to notice "How much life is beginning, unfolding, and ending around me," and that we can be a kind part of it.
Its always great to read your Monday Musings! I love the time difference :)
Love the subtlety of your observations and see how these tiny moments deserve the spotlight you give them. Big fan of the repeating line in there as well :)
In your own way Sandra you've spread Joe's quiet presence into the lives of others, polished up his truck and let it shine brightly on me. I'm lifted up by Joe, your neighbor, his son, and your sharing. You are tending the campfire of Tenderness each and every time and this beautiful story is another log on the fire.
I love your words and how you make me feel it all by the end of this flow. ‘I think about how much generosity exists and can exist to fill pockets of pain.’ And I think about how grateful I am on every second Monday when I am graced with your generosity in my inbox. I love the expressions and feelings your shared today. 💕🍬
wow wow, this was such a beautiful and tender piece, Sandra. absolutely loved it 🌷
...beautiful...great eulogy, remembrance and hopeful appreciation of the fullness of being...touching my face and feeling tears :) ...
Ah, you sweet man. Thank you.
Hopefully good tears!!
This is such a beautiful piece. I've also been recently appreciating "pretty pockets of humanity" (such a great phrase!) and there's so much of it out in the real world which is easy to forget sometimes. Thank you for sharing this story, it sounds like your neighborhood is filled with caring people who look after one another.
Dearest Goose, you *are* the pretty pocket of humanity.
I agree with you. Even though I do believe there's lots of good in the world, witnessing it always hits hard 😌
Thank you for reading<3
🥹 thank you, you are too! it really does it hard, sometimes it's a good reminder that the little things have an impact, whether or not we see those ripples!
What an ode to mundane moments, and to that duality in which we're always navigating, light and darkness, death and life.
"Everything changes" is what Suzuki answered when pressed to express Buddhism's teachings in a nutshell. The important thing is to be aware of those constant and never-ending changes, and there, as you rightly point out, is where beauty is. And it's everywhere! Happening all the time, if you really pay attention.
"I think about all that is happening in the background and foreground of my life and yours, I think about all that is happening with and without our knowing" That is an overwhelming quantity of thoughts generated, almost unbearable to think about, but really a maze to behold, and also as you say, be grateful we can think about. It made me think of Borges' Funes el Memorioso and other short stories in Ficciones.
"I remember, at some point, I touched my face and felt tears." This phrase, this story and its details, will stay with me for a long time. It feels so carefully, but also effortlessly, laid out.
Hoping this is the start of a great essay streak!
Ahhh. The only constant is change! Yes. The changes truly are everywhere. I think the struggle is in the fact that I don't know how to *unsee* them, but that can definitely be more of a gift than anything, if I let it be, that is. The never-ending journey of accepting life as it is, and not resisting that reality!
Appreciate your kind and thoughtful words as always, Oscar!
I love, love, love this piece, Sandra! It has such a "slice of life" quality to it, and yet it reveals such deep and poignant feelings and truths. To me, it evokes tender feelings I cherished when reading Tobias Wolff or Vikram Seth.
I completely agree with Chao. I was struggling to find the right phrase to describe this wonderful piece, and "slice of life" really fits. There is something very emotional and evocative about this story, and the way you rendered it. Good job Sandra!
I love slice of life stuff!!! I'm not familiar with Vikram Seth's work, but wow, what a wonderful compliment, Chao.
I appreciate you reading and letting me know that you're getting something from it🥲
"How much life is beginning, unfolding, and ending around me, with and without my knowing." What a beautiful way to name being a bystander to death and all the emotions that entails. I love that you give new life to Joe in this essay, Sandra. It's generous and beautiful.
"A bystander to death" ahh, and a bystander to life!
Appreciate you letting me know what you thought, Alissa!! Thank you thank you thank you for stopping by and reading :)
ESSAY DAY. This is stunning.
"I think about what his teenage son might have learned that day." I'm grateful for everything I learn on Sunday Candy days.
THE FIRST OF MANY, I THINK.
I would be curious to hear more about WHAT you learn on Sunday Candy days. 👀
I'm grateful for what I learn from the magic of SMET.✨
What a beautiful essay, Sandra!!!!! Great work on this!!!!!!! I love how you honored your neighbor Joe by sharing his daily life with us, and how your words you are creating a permanence, a new life online, around an essence of him that brought you joy.
This whole piece gave me a new perspective on death and absence. Death, and non-existence, feels very permanent, while life feels very temporary. I’m resonating with the overwhelm of life bustling the background. There are too many friends and family that are living their best life right now, and I’m not tapped in as intimately as I hope. They’re doing their thing in my background, but I only check in with them a couple times a month, and get a snapshot of their life. You’ve inspired me to be a lil more active, and be fully attentive to those loved ones when I’m with them.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful essay, I’m looking forward to reading many more this summer <3
What an interesting thought about creating a permanence through writing and sharing something online. I didn't think about it that way.
I think we're all stumbling with what's in the background, but belongs in the foreground of our lives. It's probably a lot of trial and error, learning, forgetting, then relearning all over again. Hopefully not before it's too late.
SUMMER OF SUNDAY CANDY ESSAYS 🍬
Hi Sandra, I liked how you said you struggle to accept change and endings. As you witness it so beautifully. Perhaps this "ending" was the creation of a space for a pocket of kindness which your neighbour and his son filled. And maybe every ending is just that- An opportunity to notice "How much life is beginning, unfolding, and ending around me," and that we can be a kind part of it.
Its always great to read your Monday Musings! I love the time difference :)
Ahhhh, "As you witness it so beautifully." Maybe that's why it's such a struggle. I'm too good at being a witness to change and endings.
I like your thinking about what endings are opportunities for, and I agree with you.
Thank you, Tanya! :)
Love the subtlety of your observations and see how these tiny moments deserve the spotlight you give them. Big fan of the repeating line in there as well :)
It's really the tiny moments that make up our wonderful lives, no? :)
I'm glad to hear the repetition landed for you!
Thank you for taking the time to let me know, Rik.
Love seeing some longer form content from you. Sandra! You're writing is so genuine and sincere. We all need more of it.
Thank you so much, Randy! Gonna try and keep playing with essays. IT'S TIME.
In your own way Sandra you've spread Joe's quiet presence into the lives of others, polished up his truck and let it shine brightly on me. I'm lifted up by Joe, your neighbor, his son, and your sharing. You are tending the campfire of Tenderness each and every time and this beautiful story is another log on the fire.
May we all lift each other up.
I love the idea of a "campfire of Tenderness," I'm definitely holding onto that one.
Appreciate you, Rick!
I love your words and how you make me feel it all by the end of this flow. ‘I think about how much generosity exists and can exist to fill pockets of pain.’ And I think about how grateful I am on every second Monday when I am graced with your generosity in my inbox. I love the expressions and feelings your shared today. 💕🍬
Kelly, I appreciate you pointing out which line resonated for you!!
Generosity is indeed so important.
I'm grateful to have you as a reader, especially for being the FIRST one to stop by and read. Thank you for your time!💙