This is beautiful, Geoffrey and a testament not only to your father, your family, your friends, the janitor and millions like him, but also to the kind of person you are as a result.
I left the USA last month, profoundly aware of the ironies and tensions of leaving behind friends - Indigenous, Black, Brown, Gay, Trans, Outspoken, Talented, Creative, Edgy - all worthy of capitalization and naming, were it not for the risks involved in these stupid times. I felt unable to do my work in that country, the country of my birth, upbringing and ultimate educational and family-love privilege. It’s been a difficult and complex choice, but I am both relieved and deeply saddened. I’ve spent many US Thanksgivings outside the USA, mainly during my decades in Africa, but none touched me as much as this one, with its mix of complexity and discord with a society made brittle by entitlement and self-pity.
Thank you for laying out such a landscape of gratitude and humility.
Phoebe, so glad to hear you got moved. I've done it more times than I care to count, but never overseas, doubtlessly far more challenging. I hope you have found an environment you can feel happier in and one that energizes your endeavors.
I was fortunate growing up in a liberal household with art faculty being part of life. I was exposed to diversity early. The guy dressed up as a 1940s movie theater cigarette girl at a gay art opening — that my little sister tagged after in fascination — wasn't scary, but old, angry white men with arsenals certainly are. For a long time I thought America had made progress, but now we can plainly see that wasn't true. It's essential that such differences get set aside, and we recognize our common need, a viable planet.
All of our lives would be improved if we worked towards that goal. The hour is late, and society needs a profound reset.
Glad you enjoyed the essay and appreciative of your words, thank you.
Thank you, Geoff, for the inspiring and heartfelt words on a Day that reminds us all how fortunate we are. I remember your Dad taking me through each generation in the painting you shared. He was delighted to expound upon the familial history and took pride in sharing his humble roots. I hope that you and your Family had a wonderful holiday! Please give Peggy a big hug from me.
Thank you, Pam. That painting is one of my favorites for obvious reasons. Thanksgiving was nice. My sister put it on as usual. So much work. Every family needs someone like her. I hope you and Tim had a good day as well.
Thank you for sharing from your heart, and letting others benefit from your keen awareness of what really matters, using your gifts of language to sharpen our vision and appreciation. May we all learn to treat each day as another gift to share with those we meet in it, bless and be blessed. May we see our next steps to sowing seeds of peace, confident that enough will root, flower and mature for all to receive what they need for an abundant life.
Thank you for your lovely sentiment. Conversation with readers is incredibly important when I'm tired and feel my resolve flagging. It's critical all of us who are like-minded support each other, and it's particularly important to bring new people into the fold. Please share my work and that of others speaking out on the crisis we have created on our planet. Between articles, I try to raise other voices. We need a chorus.
About a chorus, what you are doing here, I think is a key to the best of what can be. It's not just delivering your thoughts to readers but also engaging with them. This is Life. There should be more of us having conversations in Comments.
I started thinking about that when I was intrigued by this post, about how we might remove the Administration, and got even more out of it from the conversation that followed with the author, who I'm connected to now. Have a look: https://gregolear.substack.com/p/the-liz48-plan-this-is-how-we-remove
Cross-posting wonderful things to our subscribers also connects us up, and I got a bunch of love back from cross-posting your beautiful thoughts about gratitude.
Your dad's artwork is stunning. I could see some wonderful place where people go, and the decor on the walls is all his paintings. Get him shown off!
Thank you, Radaghast. As I alluded in the essay, I have had my less than stellar moments. For many I think half of life is shedding the baggage dumped on us. All of that hiking and cycling — which I would never trade away — was also running from issues I needed to take care of. If there is beauty in aging maybe it's in finding your best self. As my body has deteriorated its limitations forced a new path. I feel fortunate to be able to write. I can than my father's personal library for that. His books were probably my best education.
This is beautiful, Geoffrey and a testament not only to your father, your family, your friends, the janitor and millions like him, but also to the kind of person you are as a result.
I left the USA last month, profoundly aware of the ironies and tensions of leaving behind friends - Indigenous, Black, Brown, Gay, Trans, Outspoken, Talented, Creative, Edgy - all worthy of capitalization and naming, were it not for the risks involved in these stupid times. I felt unable to do my work in that country, the country of my birth, upbringing and ultimate educational and family-love privilege. It’s been a difficult and complex choice, but I am both relieved and deeply saddened. I’ve spent many US Thanksgivings outside the USA, mainly during my decades in Africa, but none touched me as much as this one, with its mix of complexity and discord with a society made brittle by entitlement and self-pity.
Thank you for laying out such a landscape of gratitude and humility.
Phoebe, so glad to hear you got moved. I've done it more times than I care to count, but never overseas, doubtlessly far more challenging. I hope you have found an environment you can feel happier in and one that energizes your endeavors.
I was fortunate growing up in a liberal household with art faculty being part of life. I was exposed to diversity early. The guy dressed up as a 1940s movie theater cigarette girl at a gay art opening — that my little sister tagged after in fascination — wasn't scary, but old, angry white men with arsenals certainly are. For a long time I thought America had made progress, but now we can plainly see that wasn't true. It's essential that such differences get set aside, and we recognize our common need, a viable planet.
All of our lives would be improved if we worked towards that goal. The hour is late, and society needs a profound reset.
Glad you enjoyed the essay and appreciative of your words, thank you.
Thank you, Geoff, for the inspiring and heartfelt words on a Day that reminds us all how fortunate we are. I remember your Dad taking me through each generation in the painting you shared. He was delighted to expound upon the familial history and took pride in sharing his humble roots. I hope that you and your Family had a wonderful holiday! Please give Peggy a big hug from me.
Thank you, Pam. That painting is one of my favorites for obvious reasons. Thanksgiving was nice. My sister put it on as usual. So much work. Every family needs someone like her. I hope you and Tim had a good day as well.
Thank you for sharing from your heart, and letting others benefit from your keen awareness of what really matters, using your gifts of language to sharpen our vision and appreciation. May we all learn to treat each day as another gift to share with those we meet in it, bless and be blessed. May we see our next steps to sowing seeds of peace, confident that enough will root, flower and mature for all to receive what they need for an abundant life.
Thank you for your lovely sentiment. Conversation with readers is incredibly important when I'm tired and feel my resolve flagging. It's critical all of us who are like-minded support each other, and it's particularly important to bring new people into the fold. Please share my work and that of others speaking out on the crisis we have created on our planet. Between articles, I try to raise other voices. We need a chorus.
About a chorus, what you are doing here, I think is a key to the best of what can be. It's not just delivering your thoughts to readers but also engaging with them. This is Life. There should be more of us having conversations in Comments.
I started thinking about that when I was intrigued by this post, about how we might remove the Administration, and got even more out of it from the conversation that followed with the author, who I'm connected to now. Have a look: https://gregolear.substack.com/p/the-liz48-plan-this-is-how-we-remove
Cross-posting wonderful things to our subscribers also connects us up, and I got a bunch of love back from cross-posting your beautiful thoughts about gratitude.
Your dad's artwork is stunning. I could see some wonderful place where people go, and the decor on the walls is all his paintings. Get him shown off!
You’re a good man, Geoffrey. And an excellent writer. Your words make all of us better too.
I’m certain your dad (and others) is very proud of you.
🙂☘️
Thank you, Radaghast. As I alluded in the essay, I have had my less than stellar moments. For many I think half of life is shedding the baggage dumped on us. All of that hiking and cycling — which I would never trade away — was also running from issues I needed to take care of. If there is beauty in aging maybe it's in finding your best self. As my body has deteriorated its limitations forced a new path. I feel fortunate to be able to write. I can than my father's personal library for that. His books were probably my best education.
Happy Thanksgiving Geoffrey, thanks for all your work.
Glad to have my writing connect with people and always encouraged by responses. Thank you.
Thank you for this warm and heart felt essay, it's a wonderful holiday gift. I hope you have a happy holidays.