beautiful, sorrowful, and so accurate. And so why do we spend the precious, irreplaceable time we do have arguing, hurting, hating, and killing one another???
That is the mystery for sure. But as Chris says, Patriarchy still rules, and perhaps patriarchy teaches us to focus on the competition, the judgement, the wars of one kind or another...........and treat the loving of a grandmother, the good baking, the warm home fires.........as trivial things to take for granted.
Up here in Canada, some progressives are talking about building a society focused on THE CARE ECONOMY....that would create an economy more sustainable, useful and focused on the loving parts of our natures.
If every child got a good education.........if education focused on the child's actual gifts and interests instead of memory drill work......if every family had a home that functioned, perhaps we'd keep on spreading the love good families provide.......outside of our own little private circles???
My father, a completely bilingual Italian immigrant worked as a translator during WWII, and could not therefore share any "war stories". But the moment a sense of justice is called for in adjudicating any situation, George's image is in my mind and his love floods my heart. And since I'm the last of my generation in my nuclear family, I feel the onus of responsibility to keep the memories alive: above all, how his pro bono compassion informed his intellect.
Thanks Chris for reminding us of our duty to our blessed ancestors.
Beautiful and deeply moving - nostalgic, the yearning for “home” and lost innocence.
Chris, you are one of the few who successfully accomplished what you set out to do - to be a writer. And what a fine, sensitive writer! Only wish our country afforded you the platform you deserve.
What a morning. First I re-read Alan Lightman’s Atlantic article from June on the Ordinary Miracle of Existing where he points out the responsibility we have in living and then this. A one-two punch to start my week. Thank you! A beautiful reminder to take the time to live.
We should have no choice but to serve what we love. Coming from a successful farming family, it has been a no brainer to stand with the earth, support the land defenders and oppose what sets out to resource it for profit.
Oh my Lord, what an exquisite essay! It is grace, wisdom, and longing incarnate. Oh, THANK YOU for this pure and tender sharing of your young life and your reflections on it. I will keep this one forever.
How many of us do the same things, CH: We visit the graves and places of those who have gone on ahead of us - to speak to them - to remember them - to think on our own lives - as I have done in Canada, in the US, in Hong Kong, Macau - and China (Shanghai and Beijing), in England and Scotland, in (Northern) Ireland, in Malaysia (Malacca, Sandakan) in different corners of Australia - and my father - killed in a car accident on the slope down into the village of Willow Tree over 75 years ago - lying in a solitary grave in nearby Quirindi - my step-father - my bullying stepfather already 42 years in his grave... We think of the good things of these souls of the hundreds of years of lives which in one way of another led to my own precious existence. Doing our best - all of us who think back to our origins - to make this world shine brighter and become more compassionate... Thanks again CH for your thoughts.
Beautiful, Chris. This work possesses an intimacy I have suspected but not witnessed in your journalism.
It has always attracted and grounded me even in the midst of the madness and brutality about which your career orbits.
beautiful, sorrowful, and so accurate. And so why do we spend the precious, irreplaceable time we do have arguing, hurting, hating, and killing one another???
Because humans are sheep ruled over by sociopaths.
That is the mystery for sure. But as Chris says, Patriarchy still rules, and perhaps patriarchy teaches us to focus on the competition, the judgement, the wars of one kind or another...........and treat the loving of a grandmother, the good baking, the warm home fires.........as trivial things to take for granted.
Up here in Canada, some progressives are talking about building a society focused on THE CARE ECONOMY....that would create an economy more sustainable, useful and focused on the loving parts of our natures.
If every child got a good education.........if education focused on the child's actual gifts and interests instead of memory drill work......if every family had a home that functioned, perhaps we'd keep on spreading the love good families provide.......outside of our own little private circles???
Good question!
So well said, Chris. We are nothing without our memories; even the saddest ones define us. To remember is to live.
Thanks for this.
Two sayings that I think are profound:
We are all just walking each other home.
(attributed to Ram Dass)
and
The problem is, you think you have time.
(attributed to Jack Kornfield in "Buddha's Little Instruction Book")
Your column today was lovely, albeit invoking some tears.
My father, a completely bilingual Italian immigrant worked as a translator during WWII, and could not therefore share any "war stories". But the moment a sense of justice is called for in adjudicating any situation, George's image is in my mind and his love floods my heart. And since I'm the last of my generation in my nuclear family, I feel the onus of responsibility to keep the memories alive: above all, how his pro bono compassion informed his intellect.
Thanks Chris for reminding us of our duty to our blessed ancestors.
Beautiful and deeply moving - nostalgic, the yearning for “home” and lost innocence.
Chris, you are one of the few who successfully accomplished what you set out to do - to be a writer. And what a fine, sensitive writer! Only wish our country afforded you the platform you deserve.
Thank you for writing.
When Amerikkka affords Chris the platform he deserves, we'll be in a different universe. My only regret about my age is that I won't live to see it.
Beautiful words this morning Chris, thank you brother. Enjoy your family times in Maine.
Wow. Thanks for this beautiful reminder.
What a morning. First I re-read Alan Lightman’s Atlantic article from June on the Ordinary Miracle of Existing where he points out the responsibility we have in living and then this. A one-two punch to start my week. Thank you! A beautiful reminder to take the time to live.
And as the saying on our fridge reminds us: Be not simply good, be good for something.
And I'll add to that, regarding Gratitude, Gratitude requires Action
We should have no choice but to serve what we love. Coming from a successful farming family, it has been a no brainer to stand with the earth, support the land defenders and oppose what sets out to resource it for profit.
The most beautiful thing I've read in a long time. Thanks.
Oh my Lord, what an exquisite essay! It is grace, wisdom, and longing incarnate. Oh, THANK YOU for this pure and tender sharing of your young life and your reflections on it. I will keep this one forever.
...."Live, the dead whisper, while you can." Yes. So important to remember this.
Thank you Chris Hedges.
Beautiful.
thanks
How many of us do the same things, CH: We visit the graves and places of those who have gone on ahead of us - to speak to them - to remember them - to think on our own lives - as I have done in Canada, in the US, in Hong Kong, Macau - and China (Shanghai and Beijing), in England and Scotland, in (Northern) Ireland, in Malaysia (Malacca, Sandakan) in different corners of Australia - and my father - killed in a car accident on the slope down into the village of Willow Tree over 75 years ago - lying in a solitary grave in nearby Quirindi - my step-father - my bullying stepfather already 42 years in his grave... We think of the good things of these souls of the hundreds of years of lives which in one way of another led to my own precious existence. Doing our best - all of us who think back to our origins - to make this world shine brighter and become more compassionate... Thanks again CH for your thoughts.
What a lovely piece about a particular family and about family life everywhere. And Our Town brought to life! Thank you, Chris.
There will be family reunions on high. We will pick up where we left off here. Learning never ends.