I had 7 grandparents: perhaps I was fortunate to receive 75% more than most. In October, with the passing of my mother, the last of my direct predecessors left this Earth. It is strange to be an orphan; although, I still have countless lessons from them all.
Thanks for sharing. I had five. My great-grandmother Nano was in her nineties when I was a little kid. I loved sitting by her side in her rocking chair. She had lost one eye by poking it out a age 4 playing with a branch. She was alive before there were cars and people got around by horse and buggy.
Ah, great-grandmothers are great. Mine was Big G. At 18 and pregnant, she drove a wagon from Horseheads, NY to somewhere in Oregon. No roads. Her diaries were great. She made it to 107 by never giving up. Every time we got to visit her was precious. We have a photo somewhere of 5 generations of Hammond ladies together.
I think there's something about cherry blossoms that trigger a line of thinking - I was in Kyoto for the cherry blossoms last week and the passing of loved ones, ancestors, beauty, art, relationships were swirling in my mind against this spring backdrop.
Yes I love ohanami, the cherry blossom viewing festivals, when I lived in Tokyo. My wife and I would sit with other families under the trees while our kids played. We even did fireworks in the park.
I had 7 grandparents: perhaps I was fortunate to receive 75% more than most. In October, with the passing of my mother, the last of my direct predecessors left this Earth. It is strange to be an orphan; although, I still have countless lessons from them all.
Thanks for sharing. I had five. My great-grandmother Nano was in her nineties when I was a little kid. I loved sitting by her side in her rocking chair. She had lost one eye by poking it out a age 4 playing with a branch. She was alive before there were cars and people got around by horse and buggy.
Ah, great-grandmothers are great. Mine was Big G. At 18 and pregnant, she drove a wagon from Horseheads, NY to somewhere in Oregon. No roads. Her diaries were great. She made it to 107 by never giving up. Every time we got to visit her was precious. We have a photo somewhere of 5 generations of Hammond ladies together.
I think there's something about cherry blossoms that trigger a line of thinking - I was in Kyoto for the cherry blossoms last week and the passing of loved ones, ancestors, beauty, art, relationships were swirling in my mind against this spring backdrop.
Love the poem at the end!
Yes I love ohanami, the cherry blossom viewing festivals, when I lived in Tokyo. My wife and I would sit with other families under the trees while our kids played. We even did fireworks in the park.
AMAZING!! I can't believe you even considered *not* publishing this.
Your experience with butoh is just inspiring. I feel like I got to know you.
I am saving the song by Norah Jones. Thank you.
Eager to read your next post.
-Leo
Lots of gems in here Ken! I find “Despair is a gift” is in a similar vein to Billie Jean King’s “pressure is a privilege.” Thanks for sharing.