Ah, this post is a breath of fresh air today. I am in a similar place, but instead of Brooklyn where one of our children is growing a life, I sit in Montana looking at the majestic mountains majesty ringing our home, which is covered in evidence of adventures and experiences from many lives lived. We plan to extract ourselves from this world and move to France in just over a year and a half, an arbitrary yet very real number of months. Now, instead of looking at what surrounds me with comfort and joy I have become scrutinizing: is that important? Can I rid myself of it now or do I need to wait a bit longer? I get to decide.
I've given myself permission to dream and take big risks again like I did when I was younger. Our kids are confused by this behavior from people in their 60s. Most of their friends parents are comfortable and settled, but we are still restless and must discover what lies ahead in the unknown. Stay the course, you are on a good path.
Susanna, We met just a few years before that first trip to Paris. I will never forget this young and beautiful woman, sitting at a large news flywheel in the newsroom of TIME reading brochures about how to use computers which were just beginning to arrive on the scene. Who could have predicted what a wonderful and new life was about to open for you. You have welcomed every new adventure with unbridled passion and it was a privilege to watch you grow. My dear, Susanna, don't ever stop writing. You give all who know you and all who are about to because they commit the simple everyday task of reading a joy and I have never failed to find a smile on my face as commit this exercise.
Much love to you with wishes for a healthy and happy new year and may 2025 bring you explorations which will last all of us a lifetime.......because you continue to write share your thoughts.
Oh wow, I love this so much. The writing is gorgeous (those little sparrows on the balance beam, wow) and I lately have been having this urge to get rid of everything I own, so I related. This is just beautiful.
It’s astonishing how little we need and how much we are “told” to want. Hence the career hamster wheel that creates a cycle of continued excess. I’d rather have an accumulation of experiences and stories, as you do, over duffle bags with questionable contents.
We’ve completely lost the inner feeling that comes with the experience of ‘life’. Appreciate simplicity for what it is, enhancing our limited understanding of why we are here!
Standing on the shore of the ocean in the night, waiting for the, harbour wave, (Tsunami) to cleanse our world and begin the water flowing down the mountain once again!
Still on the road searching. Reading this stanza every day to try and understand where I am and why I am here and what’s to become of me, probably too late.
“Something has spoken to me in the night...and told me that I shall die, I know not where. Saying: "[Death is] to lose the earth you know for greater knowing; to lose the life you have, for greater life; to leave the friends you loved, for greater loving; to find a land more kind than home, more large than earth.”
I can so relate to all that you are going through. It's HARD to re-invent one's self and harder still to let go of who you were without knowing who the new you is going to be. Since 2021, I've been tasked with cleaning out 3 (yes 3) homes, 2 of which were significant hoarding situations. Neither were mine but they still contained memories. What I've learned is that there is NOTHING so important as the peace one feels knowing that at the end of the day stuff is just stuff. It doesn't define you, make you good or bad or make you more or less worthy of you doing what your spirit and soul needs - you don't think about breathing, you just do it. Embrace the moment, let your inner wild child run free and let it unfold as it will. You will know when you're ready to take the next step and when you do, it won't be hard at all. You got this - 💛
I want to come in the Spring! I will let you know. In the meantime enjoy this awesome chapter in your life!! Are you back to speaking fluent French? I am sure you are!!! How is your doggie? Sending love, Wendy
I’m gonna start doing some intensive French to up my level in January I hope. But I managed pretty well and the dog loves it because he gets to go to all the restaurants with me. We’re becoming a little bit too codependent. But he sure does charm the French. I would be wonderful to see you.
I'm beginning anew journey in retirement and acquired accumulation. Time to get tiny as well. Although not as adventuresome as you, my move is across town from my kids and my grand babies. God, forbid I miss a birthday or soccer game. but I'm probably like most of your followers, envious as heck so I'll live my dream thru you
Ah, this post is a breath of fresh air today. I am in a similar place, but instead of Brooklyn where one of our children is growing a life, I sit in Montana looking at the majestic mountains majesty ringing our home, which is covered in evidence of adventures and experiences from many lives lived. We plan to extract ourselves from this world and move to France in just over a year and a half, an arbitrary yet very real number of months. Now, instead of looking at what surrounds me with comfort and joy I have become scrutinizing: is that important? Can I rid myself of it now or do I need to wait a bit longer? I get to decide.
I've given myself permission to dream and take big risks again like I did when I was younger. Our kids are confused by this behavior from people in their 60s. Most of their friends parents are comfortable and settled, but we are still restless and must discover what lies ahead in the unknown. Stay the course, you are on a good path.
I love this too, we get to decide! Thanks so much Page
It is so awesome! Keep the faith! We just moved to Italy at 71 and 73. The planning for it is as much fun as the move itself.
That's the attitude I'm taking, how lucky are we to be so adventurous? Thanks for the encouragement.
Yes Page!! I love this!
I love hearing that there are other curious souls out there like Susanna and all of us. Here's to living a full life this year!
Yes, indeed Page!
Susanna, We met just a few years before that first trip to Paris. I will never forget this young and beautiful woman, sitting at a large news flywheel in the newsroom of TIME reading brochures about how to use computers which were just beginning to arrive on the scene. Who could have predicted what a wonderful and new life was about to open for you. You have welcomed every new adventure with unbridled passion and it was a privilege to watch you grow. My dear, Susanna, don't ever stop writing. You give all who know you and all who are about to because they commit the simple everyday task of reading a joy and I have never failed to find a smile on my face as commit this exercise.
Much love to you with wishes for a healthy and happy new year and may 2025 bring you explorations which will last all of us a lifetime.......because you continue to write share your thoughts.
Aw Judith, thank you so so much for these kind words and for everything you did for me back then. Sending you love and good wishes for this new year.
Oh wow, I love this so much. The writing is gorgeous (those little sparrows on the balance beam, wow) and I lately have been having this urge to get rid of everything I own, so I related. This is just beautiful.
Thanks friend.
God, this is achingly beautiful.
Thank you so much…
I'm enjoying your stories. Keep 'em coming.
Thanks Leslie
Lovely thoughts!!! So good to hear that you are well. Sending love, Wendy
Wendy! Thanks so much When are you coming to Paris.
Horror moths!
It’s astonishing how little we need and how much we are “told” to want. Hence the career hamster wheel that creates a cycle of continued excess. I’d rather have an accumulation of experiences and stories, as you do, over duffle bags with questionable contents.
Yes exactly: “An accumulation of stories”
We’ve completely lost the inner feeling that comes with the experience of ‘life’. Appreciate simplicity for what it is, enhancing our limited understanding of why we are here!
Standing on the shore of the ocean in the night, waiting for the, harbour wave, (Tsunami) to cleanse our world and begin the water flowing down the mountain once again!
Edward, that's beautiful.Are you in Cali?
Still on the road searching. Reading this stanza every day to try and understand where I am and why I am here and what’s to become of me, probably too late.
“Something has spoken to me in the night...and told me that I shall die, I know not where. Saying: "[Death is] to lose the earth you know for greater knowing; to lose the life you have, for greater life; to leave the friends you loved, for greater loving; to find a land more kind than home, more large than earth.”
― Thomas Wolfe, You Can't Go Home Again
What a wonderful piece of writing. You have a way of making the reader feel like they are in a one on one conversation with you. Such a gift.
So beautiful and thought- and nostalgia-provoking. I actively shuddered when I read about the larvae. You are a brave, brave woman.
Oh thank you so much, Viv ;)
I can so relate to all that you are going through. It's HARD to re-invent one's self and harder still to let go of who you were without knowing who the new you is going to be. Since 2021, I've been tasked with cleaning out 3 (yes 3) homes, 2 of which were significant hoarding situations. Neither were mine but they still contained memories. What I've learned is that there is NOTHING so important as the peace one feels knowing that at the end of the day stuff is just stuff. It doesn't define you, make you good or bad or make you more or less worthy of you doing what your spirit and soul needs - you don't think about breathing, you just do it. Embrace the moment, let your inner wild child run free and let it unfold as it will. You will know when you're ready to take the next step and when you do, it won't be hard at all. You got this - 💛
Thank you so much, Deb. And you’re so right stuff is just stuff. Should stitch that on a pillow! Take care, Susanna.
You are in good company:
"We are happy in proportion to the things we can do without."
Henry David Thoreau
That is the perfect quote
I would LOVE that too!!! Happy New Year, dearest Suzanna!!!
I want to come in the Spring! I will let you know. In the meantime enjoy this awesome chapter in your life!! Are you back to speaking fluent French? I am sure you are!!! How is your doggie? Sending love, Wendy
I’m gonna start doing some intensive French to up my level in January I hope. But I managed pretty well and the dog loves it because he gets to go to all the restaurants with me. We’re becoming a little bit too codependent. But he sure does charm the French. I would be wonderful to see you.
I'm beginning anew journey in retirement and acquired accumulation. Time to get tiny as well. Although not as adventuresome as you, my move is across town from my kids and my grand babies. God, forbid I miss a birthday or soccer game. but I'm probably like most of your followers, envious as heck so I'll live my dream thru you
Aw, thank you for the kind words and I see a beautiful future for you too with purpose and Joy
Love hearing about your Grand Adventure Susanna! Thank you for your wonderful essays. So much has changed since our kids were in Beansprouts together!
Hi Eve! Thanks so much. It must be 20 years, but how can that be? Crazy. Hope you are well and thank you so much for reading.