"christmas is sparkling
out on carol's lawn
this girl of my childhood games
has kids nearly grown and gone
grown so fast
like the turn of a page
we look like our mothers did
now
when we were those kids' age
nothing lasts for long
nothing lasts for long
nothing lasts for long

down at the chinese café
we'd be
dreamin' on our dimes
we'd be playin
'you give your love
so sweetly ...'
one more time"

~ joni mitchell

there are all these places i imagine living in, that are now too decrepit or gone or exist only in a nighttime dream. now i can create characters who live in them. i can have a vicarious reality. no wonder there are so many fiction writers.

Last night I watched Titanic while listening to our collection of CDs in random one-song order. Near the end of the movie I turned off the music and turned up the TV, and heard the elderly survivor say “A woman’s heart is a deep ocean of secrets.”

On the news that followed, there was a short piece about a Buddhist’s dead body found in the Lotus position. Followers believed he’d reached Nirvana while meditating, and they mummified his body.

Most Wise Words said when Mom despaired of her father’s impending death:

“We all have to go sometime.” ~ Dad

Most Comforting Condolence:

“I know how important he was to you.” ~ Elaine R.

Most Helpful Words to self on death of loved one:

“I can handle this.” - Self

I have the courage of my
convictions.
It’s just getting the convictions
in the first place.