Breakfast at midnight

Dear Cal,

You were right, that was us.  We were at Denny's eating breakfast in the middle of the night.  Don't know how it was in your family, but in mine the best listening and talking happens away from home. I don't understand it, but take a kid out in a car, or out to eat and it's like putting a quarter in the slot--the words, the tears, the ideas, the dreams, the fears, the silence, the laughter, it just comes pouring out.  It's worth way more than the price of gas, or coffee, or breakfast at midnight.  The pancakes weren't so good but the rest of it was.

All my best,
Kate

Good bye for now

Dear Laurel,

Isn't good bye the hardest thing we ever say, and isn't that the time so many pull away?  Day before yesterday my eldest went to a hospice facility to be with her friend Karen while Karen's mother was in her final hours here.  I am so proud of her for intentionally stepping into that hard place, for being present with her friend, and for putting her hands on that mom and saying, "Good bye for now."  The promise of heaven is so sure and so sweet, and the courageous love of a friend is beautiful.

All my best,

Kate

A change of light

Dear Sonja,

Have you noticed how the light has changed?  With the angle of light changing daily and the filter of smoke from the wildfires the world looks very different than it did a month ago.  Today I moved my tomato pots so they could get every single minute of sun--I had to move them a distance of six feet!  This change of season gives us all a chance for a new perspective on many things, starting with the way we actually see our surroundings.  The gentle afternoon sunlight on these nectarines stopped me mid-heartbeat.

All my best,

Kate



Kindred Spirits

Dear Laurel,
   I'm thinking big thoughts today.  Two of them.  First, that kindred spirits come in all ages, shapes, and sizes. Many times in my life I've had that kindred spirit kind of connection to much older people, but now that I'm older I have the joy of relating closely to someone who is much younger.  My second thought is, that it is a wise parent who holds the affections of their child with a grip loose enough to allow for good, meaningful relationships with other adults.   I need to remember to thank this young one's mother.

All my best,
Kate

Friends

Balls from Wrinkled Imagination

Dear Friends,
   In the last eight days I spent time with six different friends.  Six of them, all from different parts of my life.  After spending a great deal of time alone I'm amazed at how energized, comforted, and inspired I feel after hours of conversation that quickly moved from the mundane to the profound.  In each case a sense of trust opened the door for transparent talk and thinking.  Make the effort, take the time, reconnect because life is, for the most part, not what we expected.  We need to be together.

All my best,
Kate

Unexpected sweetness



Pike Place Market - Seattle

Dear Sonja,
   For all of its hardship life does have many moments of surprising sweetness.  In a flash (this morning) I took a chance and introduced myself to a stranger and was immediately rewarded with a liberal dose of genuine kindness.   What that man said brought a surge unexpected joy that relieved me of a weight of sadness that I'd been carrying for some time.  I guess you always need to be ready to catch the sweetness because you never know when it will show up.  Talk to you soon.

All my best,
Kate

An invitation

Dear Sonja,
  I received the postcard from Betty inviting me to join the ensemble.  She says that practice starts on Wednesday, September 14th, time TBA.  She didn't mention the place.  I can't tell you how much I miss the singing, it's almost like I've forgotten how.  I feel like the time to sing is coming, but it isn't here yet.  What I want to say is Bless. Her. Beautiful. Heart.  She doesn't give up in calling me back.  I hope you will join them though.

All my best,
Kate

Something about September

Chai Tea Fairy Cakes

Dear Laurel,
  Have you noticed anything different about this September?  It seems like older people, the kind with college age kids (and older) are re-setting their thinking... re-evaluating... looking around for their friends... getting ready....  Maybe it's left over from the years of starting school, or maybe it's more like the squirrels stocking up for winter.  I like it better than the January resolution ritual--this is much more relational, and the weather's better.  Hoping to meet for coffee soon.

All my best,
Kate

Nearly perfect

Cascade Locks

Dear Carol,

 This has been a very nearly perfect day, I wish you could be here.  I know that your eyes, your skin, and your very breath are hungry for water, and green, and gentle temperatures.  There is a warmish east wind blowing, but we are in the shelter of the building sharing some lunch outside.  You would be happy with the prices--you know I'm laughing. Lunch to share comes at a very reasonable cost and allows us to sit in this beautiful place for as long as we like as there are few other customers.  It is soothing to the soul.

All my best,

Kate

Welcome

The porch at El Tovar

Dear Sonja,
  I thought you'd enjoy the quiet welcome of these rocking chairs. I think more of us need quiet welcomes that ask nothing of us except to come and be. 

All my best,
Kate