tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post1059608886037026584..comments2023-05-04T05:44:17.603-04:00Comments on washed stones: my sister's 70th birthdayRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-50587876981852690212013-06-02T06:31:53.503-04:002013-06-02T06:31:53.503-04:00It's true, GailO! It happens with our children...It's true, GailO! It happens with our children too! And will happen with our grandchildren too. :)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-47755807795044248882013-06-02T06:28:50.263-04:002013-06-02T06:28:50.263-04:00Ginnie-Boots, there are many things in your commen...Ginnie-Boots, there are many things in your comment to talk about, think about, feel about. I love them, and I love you.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-25163711628503460802013-05-31T10:08:25.295-04:002013-05-31T10:08:25.295-04:00Once again you put your thoughts into words that l...Once again you put your thoughts into words that linger with me. I will stop and reflect on how I am translating life having read this. At my age I too find myself thinking forward 20 or so years at many moments and feel it is my last opportunity to translate well.<br /><br />Watching my children amongst their friends or at work gives me the same feeling of not being of their world and then I see myself in another one of their spheres. <br /><br />GailOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556665956317683667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-28498012186490807342013-05-31T07:09:23.708-04:002013-05-31T07:09:23.708-04:00In another context altogether (writing another sto...In another context altogether (writing another story), I was thinking how you will be 70 in 2026...and I immediately said to myself, "I hope I'm still alive to see it!" So that is my wish, to see YOU at 70, dear sister. The one two years older than myself is the one I should probably know much better than you, but you already know her better. And I know you better than her....<br /><br />I paused while reading your poetic take on this special celebration. Susan really <i>was</i> a mother for us on so many levels. I wonder who mothered her? Did she <i>feel</i> mothered?<br /><br />And yes, I know of no one in so much pain who smiles and giggles more often than she!Ginnie Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-54603246662398523582013-05-30T04:05:39.280-04:002013-05-30T04:05:39.280-04:00Mary, and I am grateful to be in yours. Thank you....Mary, and I am grateful to be in yours. Thank you.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-27694383071847130442013-05-30T04:04:33.868-04:002013-05-30T04:04:33.868-04:00Dear Ing, yes, the universal and specific, the mys...Dear Ing, yes, the universal and specific, the mystery revealed in billions of different ways! It's fantastic.<br /><br />We will talk tonight! I'm so glad.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-72167736822216486362013-05-30T04:02:37.835-04:002013-05-30T04:02:37.835-04:00Erin, who we are is buried inside bodies and manne...Erin, who we are is buried inside bodies and mannerisms. I have to get past these things to see who my sister is.<br /><br />Aren't we all lonely in some way? Longing to be witnessed as we really are?<br /><br />For every person, I believe there is something I can relate to, if only I listen right, and long enough. I discover myself when I listen to another's story. Finding out how we are the same is the thing. I disappear, and then I find myself in a new way.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-92059235772524208052013-05-29T15:19:13.981-04:002013-05-29T15:19:13.981-04:00It's all so astounding- this aging business. Y...It's all so astounding- this aging business. Your beloved sister's 70th becomes the chance for you to see her in her larger than family context and celebrate her life. What you have done with your life is always a good thing to contemplate whatever the impetus. Maybe you see something from her life that you want to add to your life, that's good. But, maybe you're called to do a very different translation, essential to a whole different group of someones. Gratefully, I'm in that group.Grandmother Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18169464484379536529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-84894682156917117472013-05-28T22:05:33.404-04:002013-05-28T22:05:33.404-04:00Sweet Ruth,
you ask, "what have I done with ...Sweet Ruth,<br /><br />you ask, "what have I done with my life?" My guess is you've been translating it into your own expression, different from, but as valid as, Susan's. "Each specific," as Erin says. And each universal in its specificity, I think. Thank you for this beautiful reflection. Can't wait to talk soon.<br /><br />IngIngehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01884046398996572940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-28118274908858396512013-05-28T21:34:30.532-04:002013-05-28T21:34:30.532-04:00your last lines (and fady joudah's) just knock...your last lines (and fady joudah's) just knocked me right over! yes, ruth! yes! <b> translating</b>, yes, and what? EXACTLY! (i think of this constantly, it nearly driving me mad.)<br /><br />but your sister. and you. and all others. each specific. this too is a conundrum i can not understand and wish too.<br /><br />i see you there fading even though you might wish it otherwise. i <i>see </i>you there:)))<br /><br />xo<br />erinerinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16636371927224076866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-68277845670047673162013-05-28T15:31:44.830-04:002013-05-28T15:31:44.830-04:00Thank you, Elizabeth.
I remember the first time ...Thank you, Elizabeth. <br /><br />I remember the first time I realized my mother was a <i>person</i>. :) I think I was 13.<br /><br />My sister is really something, and she's more something the longer I know her. Her husband has really made a world of difference for her sense of wellbeing.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-88443744609683070222013-05-28T15:25:21.923-04:002013-05-28T15:25:21.923-04:00Thank you, Maureen.Thank you, Maureen.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-71210694764847810552013-05-28T13:24:08.469-04:002013-05-28T13:24:08.469-04:00How strange it is to see relatives in rather publi...How strange it is to see relatives in rather public contexts.<br />One sort of imagines one 'owns' them - until we discover we don't!<br />So sorry your sister has poor health - how very miserable for her to endure. I'm glad <br />she has got the love of her life.<br />This sounds a wonderful birthday party.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03964291132366262298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252398034468872629.post-87581178344958825692013-05-28T10:46:19.045-04:002013-05-28T10:46:19.045-04:00Beautiful writing, Ruth.Beautiful writing, Ruth.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13290283101378474845noreply@blogger.com