I'd like to comment on this excerpt from your piece today:
"At the time I knew her I was 43, and when you are 43 and talking to a person in their 70s, they seem to occupy a different plane of existence. This is something I cannot keep in mind now when I interact with people several decades younger than me, that to them I may appear to be a lizard or another life form from a period of history they don’t know, nor the ideas that sparked the air of that time."
I am 43 years old, approaching 44. My parents are in their 70s, and, while sometimes, yes, they do seem to "occupy a different plane of existence," mostly they don't. I don't feel that those who are decades my senior are "lizards or another life form." Instead, I try--with every human interaction, whether someone is younger or older than I am--to enter into their world, to try to understand what their lived experience is like, as they relay it to me.
Imagining what life might be like for someone else is the only way I've learned to grow, to mature. I just want you to know that I don't see you the way you may think someone my age sees you. I appreciate you. Thank you for your contributions to the literary community, Laurie.
Theresa Wright was a friend of my parents. Especially my mother. Hadn’t heard her name in ages. Memory married to Niven Bush and Bob Anderson. She’s was stunning . Similar looks as my mother. Interesting I’m struggling a story about my mom . Neared the last paragraphs yesterday. Drinking coffee, watching Morning Joe decided to keep the title Strand Of Pearls and the first sentence. One of my readers query “why don’t you write about your mother “. True I’ve not in 25 years. I, one of 6 daughters, bred in Bev Hills (if that’s a proper term 😆) wrote and delivered her eulogy nyc St Vincent Ferrer. March 2004. She believed I didn’t love her. I’m waiting for a plumber. Good excuse to not head to my writing dungeon. .. I’m 73 a year older than your meetups with your friend Theresa. She was gentle…
"...when you are 43 and talking to a person in their 70s, they seem to occupy a different plane of existence." I think this is sometimes true and sometimes not true. Because my genes include oily skin that doesn't wrinkle, younger people are often astonished that I am 71. But like Jeannie Ewing, below, I think it is a matter of how deep the personal connection is.
I love the way that you can write ten seemingly random things in a row, but it is so skillfully done that it makes a coherent whole. You are a magnificent writer and I look forward to your posts. Some days I get up in the morning and delete nearly everything I subscribe to without reading it. I never delete Laurie Stone! Rule to live by: Never delete Laurie Stone.
You made me laugh! I like that rule. Thanks for the appreciation. Just to be clear, the "seemingly random" are not random. I know you know, but sometimes people don't.
I hadn't heard of him. Have been listening on YouTube since I read the line about him. Reading Wikipedia, learning how he died at 43, three days after one of the most powerful performances of his professional life. Horrifying how brief life can be, especially when the talent worked on for so long is at its zenith. Every day of our lives is simply precious.
Though I live in Australia and have only been to the USA 5 times on the ‘west’ coast, I find your commentary so, so relevant! I think I’ve paid sponsored … will check … and do an annual.
By the way, your short piece recently about Kamala was how I found you. Life’s tiny connections, ha!
Thanks so much. I'm delighted to have you as a reader. You have a free subscription. I would be grateful if this is a time you can upgrade to paid. xxL
I get the thing about the way young people look at us. I remember looking at veterans of WW II the same way, like they were from a place I had never been and couldn't imagine ending up in.
Hi Laurie,
I'd like to comment on this excerpt from your piece today:
"At the time I knew her I was 43, and when you are 43 and talking to a person in their 70s, they seem to occupy a different plane of existence. This is something I cannot keep in mind now when I interact with people several decades younger than me, that to them I may appear to be a lizard or another life form from a period of history they don’t know, nor the ideas that sparked the air of that time."
I am 43 years old, approaching 44. My parents are in their 70s, and, while sometimes, yes, they do seem to "occupy a different plane of existence," mostly they don't. I don't feel that those who are decades my senior are "lizards or another life form." Instead, I try--with every human interaction, whether someone is younger or older than I am--to enter into their world, to try to understand what their lived experience is like, as they relay it to me.
Imagining what life might be like for someone else is the only way I've learned to grow, to mature. I just want you to know that I don't see you the way you may think someone my age sees you. I appreciate you. Thank you for your contributions to the literary community, Laurie.
Lovely! Cheers, L
Wow, how delightful. And such an interesting subject
Theresa Wright was a friend of my parents. Especially my mother. Hadn’t heard her name in ages. Memory married to Niven Bush and Bob Anderson. She’s was stunning . Similar looks as my mother. Interesting I’m struggling a story about my mom . Neared the last paragraphs yesterday. Drinking coffee, watching Morning Joe decided to keep the title Strand Of Pearls and the first sentence. One of my readers query “why don’t you write about your mother “. True I’ve not in 25 years. I, one of 6 daughters, bred in Bev Hills (if that’s a proper term 😆) wrote and delivered her eulogy nyc St Vincent Ferrer. March 2004. She believed I didn’t love her. I’m waiting for a plumber. Good excuse to not head to my writing dungeon. .. I’m 73 a year older than your meetups with your friend Theresa. She was gentle…
“I liked loving him in his absence”. .. what a line! I really enjoy your writing! Thank you. Sara
"...when you are 43 and talking to a person in their 70s, they seem to occupy a different plane of existence." I think this is sometimes true and sometimes not true. Because my genes include oily skin that doesn't wrinkle, younger people are often astonished that I am 71. But like Jeannie Ewing, below, I think it is a matter of how deep the personal connection is.
I love the way that you can write ten seemingly random things in a row, but it is so skillfully done that it makes a coherent whole. You are a magnificent writer and I look forward to your posts. Some days I get up in the morning and delete nearly everything I subscribe to without reading it. I never delete Laurie Stone! Rule to live by: Never delete Laurie Stone.
You made me laugh! I like that rule. Thanks for the appreciation. Just to be clear, the "seemingly random" are not random. I know you know, but sometimes people don't.
Wait! Are these real clauses in Teresa Wright's Samuel Golwyn's contract??? Whether they are real or your own witty version, they are brilliant!
They are real!!
That entry paragraph is so strong I read it four times in a row, and then continued to the full piece. Thanks for your writing, Laurie!
I'm delighted to have you as a reader. Many thanks, L
Very glad you pointed this out: "You don't hear Scriabin enough on the radio."
He's my favorite composer and I wholeheartedly agree with you.
I hadn't heard of him. Have been listening on YouTube since I read the line about him. Reading Wikipedia, learning how he died at 43, three days after one of the most powerful performances of his professional life. Horrifying how brief life can be, especially when the talent worked on for so long is at its zenith. Every day of our lives is simply precious.
Love this. Especially your moving out, wordlessly, to end a fake and begin a reality. Blessings on the young you who was so powerful.
Love that you call Richard's cheese sandwich his "tea!"
That Brit thing is rubbing off on you. And I agree - a cheese sandwich can be a beautiful thing.
Great writing as always, Laurie!
We have been calling it "tea" for a long time!
Yes - your first paragraph gripped me.
Though I live in Australia and have only been to the USA 5 times on the ‘west’ coast, I find your commentary so, so relevant! I think I’ve paid sponsored … will check … and do an annual.
By the way, your short piece recently about Kamala was how I found you. Life’s tiny connections, ha!
Thanks so much. I'm delighted to have you as a reader. You have a free subscription. I would be grateful if this is a time you can upgrade to paid. xxL
I get the thing about the way young people look at us. I remember looking at veterans of WW II the same way, like they were from a place I had never been and couldn't imagine ending up in.
Love your style!
I enjoyed this!