It was too much to be offered "anything." My parents would have given their children their last breath, but they would not have said "take anything." "Anything" was not in the language of our family.
Well done Adam! My favorite line is "I still want the beautiful secrets. They are the rope in the sea."
This is a profound truth, a sentiment so well put I have writers envy. When things are hard now I will see the rope and be reminded I simply have to hang on. Thanks for this💕
Oh, advanced baby Adam. Choosing a sand mandala without even knowing it. And here the Buddha has put himself back together with your beautiful telling. You both knew what you were doing, didn’t you, ultimately.
A "sand mandala!" I had to do a little research this early AM. What a beautiful, beautiful idea/art form. I vaguely remember seeing/reading about them, but had no idea what they were called. You've taught me a new word, fellow Seattelite (I still have my former 17-year credentials, although Brooklyn-based now.) Thanks for the note.
It’s exactly what you accidentally ended up with, right? Buddha was like, “This kid can meet me and learn nonattachment in one go, maybe even skip a lifetime while he’s at it.”
And I started out in your current region--born in Port Chester, NY, we moved to Seattle when I was nine back in ‘78. Keeping the coasts covered at all times!
"I have always wanted the beautiful secrets. I still want the beautiful secrets. They are rope in the sea." Damn. This is such a powerful image. So simple and so direct but it lights up the imagination.
Ben, thank you. 🙏 That image of the rope has really jumped out for readers (and for me). As a writer, you'll appreciate the 400 permutations of trying to put that that it went through. It ended up as something I worried wouldn't be understood, but I should trust my readers more (or worry less that I'm not serving the image in my mind.) The water is grey by the way and the rope is thick, but I got rid of all that.
Oh Adam, this brought me to tears! You and Chris were such brave little boys throughout your time in Italy. Life was not easy for either of you. Your Mother was one-of-a-kind.. brilliant passionate, and determined. She adored her boys, but nothing could stop her from pursuing her work.
You had to deal with so much loss at such an early age.
Thank you for sharing this heartbreaking story with us.
Thank you, Mary Lou. You were our Bergamo angels. My mother attracted incredible, shining, loving people into her life throughout her life. You were one of them.
If there is a heaven, your kitchen with the morning light coming in from Via Porta Dipinta will be there.
This actually broke my heart a little.
Beautiful writing! I was right there with you.
💔
💔
Well done Adam! My favorite line is "I still want the beautiful secrets. They are the rope in the sea."
This is a profound truth, a sentiment so well put I have writers envy. When things are hard now I will see the rope and be reminded I simply have to hang on. Thanks for this💕
And thank you, Donna for your note here. Here's to the beautiful secrets. 💕
I knew it was coming, and I gasped and cried out anyway. This is astonishingly, achingly good writing, Adam! Bravo.
Thank you, Troy. I thought you might connect with this one. 🙏
I want the beautiful secrets, too.
Yes.
This was a strong and heartbreaking lesson in attachment. I hung on every beautiful, evocative word.
That's the operative word, Troy. You're ahead of me now as I wrap this piece up (or exactly on pace with this.) 🙏
Oh, advanced baby Adam. Choosing a sand mandala without even knowing it. And here the Buddha has put himself back together with your beautiful telling. You both knew what you were doing, didn’t you, ultimately.
A "sand mandala!" I had to do a little research this early AM. What a beautiful, beautiful idea/art form. I vaguely remember seeing/reading about them, but had no idea what they were called. You've taught me a new word, fellow Seattelite (I still have my former 17-year credentials, although Brooklyn-based now.) Thanks for the note.
It’s exactly what you accidentally ended up with, right? Buddha was like, “This kid can meet me and learn nonattachment in one go, maybe even skip a lifetime while he’s at it.”
And I started out in your current region--born in Port Chester, NY, we moved to Seattle when I was nine back in ‘78. Keeping the coasts covered at all times!
I really felt that moment as you stepped over the threshold! 😥
Thank you, fellow Nathan! We all have (it's a safe assumption, I think) a similar moment. Or are headed towards one. Hopefully, the former. 😀
Your writing is a beautiful secret.
🤫🙏❤️
"I have always wanted the beautiful secrets. I still want the beautiful secrets. They are rope in the sea." Damn. This is such a powerful image. So simple and so direct but it lights up the imagination.
Ben, thank you. 🙏 That image of the rope has really jumped out for readers (and for me). As a writer, you'll appreciate the 400 permutations of trying to put that that it went through. It ended up as something I worried wouldn't be understood, but I should trust my readers more (or worry less that I'm not serving the image in my mind.) The water is grey by the way and the rope is thick, but I got rid of all that.
Oh Adam, this brought me to tears! You and Chris were such brave little boys throughout your time in Italy. Life was not easy for either of you. Your Mother was one-of-a-kind.. brilliant passionate, and determined. She adored her boys, but nothing could stop her from pursuing her work.
You had to deal with so much loss at such an early age.
Thank you for sharing this heartbreaking story with us.
Mary Lou
Thank you, Mary Lou. You were our Bergamo angels. My mother attracted incredible, shining, loving people into her life throughout her life. You were one of them.
If there is a heaven, your kitchen with the morning light coming in from Via Porta Dipinta will be there.
My heart remains full and very much intact.
❤️