This is exactly what I adore - and painfully miss - about New York. Like you, I am a compulsive talker to strangers. Once, a man leaned over to say I had the best posture he'd ever seen, and I had to confess I was wearing a back brace after being hit by a car. We ended up having dinner together. These moments don't seem to happen as often anywhere else. Love to you.
I too lived in Manhattan. And I too can tell stories of connections, but not as well as you do and certainly without your ability to expand the theme and find deeper resonance.
I love this (and the truth of it) so much: "Every living organism is composed of molecules that are not themselves alive but collectively produce a living thing. Every living thing is love that has taken on an animated form."
I love the repetition of 'I wanted the day to mean something' and this: 'Every living thing is love that has taken on an animated form.' Hallelujah to that. The memoirish thing I'm currently working on is all about these chance turns -- with the chance of them happening infinitesimally small and then we sew them together -- a patchwork life that we want to mean something. Wonderful.
I am a big, quiet fan of yours. I normally don't read all of your posts, but I let that invisible force drag me to the ones I do read, and it's always a treat. Yours is the first newsletter I remember consciously subscribing to here in Substack when I found out it was a thing.
Thanks so much for your post "What Lasts", which I have just finished reading. I enjoyed it a lot, though I cannot explain why; but it's the same with all the posts I read from you, they just speak to me somehow.
I love that you don't know what you feel. I have no set ideas about what I'm hoping to prompt in readers--other than pleasure and a wish for a return ticket.
Love this story, Laurie, six degrees of separation! Good for you to connect. I've run into people I know half-way round the world and makes you wonder about coincidence. And travelling with friends in Italy last year, I asked a stranger for directions to a restaurant. She had dinner with us (knew the owner) and we plan to get together next year.
you are alive and sniffing around the world for more signs of life. i love this post and how you describe molecules and the way it puts me into those serendipitous moments. isn't the surprise of it all the whole point? also, that is a wonderful picture of you and margo. xx
My mom used to talk to everyone wherever she went...I would be so embarrassed. And now I do it. My son once told me, "You know, you don't have to talk to everyone..." Oh, but I do!
This is exactly what I adore - and painfully miss - about New York. Like you, I am a compulsive talker to strangers. Once, a man leaned over to say I had the best posture he'd ever seen, and I had to confess I was wearing a back brace after being hit by a car. We ended up having dinner together. These moments don't seem to happen as often anywhere else. Love to you.
I need the back brace! xxL
You are a tonic!
I too lived in Manhattan. And I too can tell stories of connections, but not as well as you do and certainly without your ability to expand the theme and find deeper resonance.
Thanks, dear Tamar. xxL
I love this (and the truth of it) so much: "Every living organism is composed of molecules that are not themselves alive but collectively produce a living thing. Every living thing is love that has taken on an animated form."
I love the repetition of 'I wanted the day to mean something' and this: 'Every living thing is love that has taken on an animated form.' Hallelujah to that. The memoirish thing I'm currently working on is all about these chance turns -- with the chance of them happening infinitesimally small and then we sew them together -- a patchwork life that we want to mean something. Wonderful.
Thank you for this! Yes, makes me miss my birthplace, but you take NYC with you wherever you go. Connectedness :). Brilliant writing.
Thanks, darling Joan, and yes, we take New York wherever we go. xxL
“I wanted the day to mean something, this collision of people and forces, and it did mean something.” <3
I am a big, quiet fan of yours. I normally don't read all of your posts, but I let that invisible force drag me to the ones I do read, and it's always a treat. Yours is the first newsletter I remember consciously subscribing to here in Substack when I found out it was a thing.
Thanks so much for your post "What Lasts", which I have just finished reading. I enjoyed it a lot, though I cannot explain why; but it's the same with all the posts I read from you, they just speak to me somehow.
I love that you don't know what you feel. I have no set ideas about what I'm hoping to prompt in readers--other than pleasure and a wish for a return ticket.
How affirming. Moving in the spirit is keeping appointments you haven't made.
Love this one! (and Margo is great)
Margo is a brilliant peach of a friend.
“ I know we will outlast the people who want to end us. Because they are people who don’t know why they’re alive.”
True and beautifully said.
Thanks, love
Great story. 👏🏻 SO New York.
It's not a small world and theres no such thing as coincidence. There's always a reason. Even if it's just to connect.
This piece makes me want to go back to NYC! What a delight.
This made my insides very happy. Thank you. 😊
Love this story, Laurie, six degrees of separation! Good for you to connect. I've run into people I know half-way round the world and makes you wonder about coincidence. And travelling with friends in Italy last year, I asked a stranger for directions to a restaurant. She had dinner with us (knew the owner) and we plan to get together next year.
Wonderful!
you are alive and sniffing around the world for more signs of life. i love this post and how you describe molecules and the way it puts me into those serendipitous moments. isn't the surprise of it all the whole point? also, that is a wonderful picture of you and margo. xx
Thanks, dear one. xxL
My mom used to talk to everyone wherever she went...I would be so embarrassed. And now I do it. My son once told me, "You know, you don't have to talk to everyone..." Oh, but I do!