This is a lovely read and draws you in. I felt as though I were listening in, as if I were at a table nearby. As a woman who has been married for over 40 years I can also relate in that regard. And as a traveler who has experienced unexpected meaningful conversations that stayed with me years later.
I've been thinking about your encounter with the gentleman. And wondering, what did he see behind his eyes when he looked at you and your husband. What high energetic vibe did he feel and connect to that sparked such an intimate question from a stranger. There was almost a soulful longing that I felt from him when reading your piece. Thanks again.
Lovely that it stays with you, as it does with me. Yes, there was a soulful longing in a lonely man who had had professional success (he was a Supreme Court Judge, after all) but not personal fulfilment. I think the intimate question was not planned, but just an intelligent mind who liked to query things. But I am guessing completely, as I have no idea what was in his mind aside from the fact that he thought we were English (I am actually American born) and he loved England for probably all the wrong reasons.
You know that something is coming. Quiet at first, it unravels to become personal, poignant and moving. The gentleman's emptiness expands as he glimpses what he has not experienced: something invisible, beautiful and elusive.
Thank you, Kaz Russell. It’s wonderful when you feel your writing has touched someone else. Mostly I write about my thoughts rather than my experiences, but this moment called out to be written down.
Anyone who has travelled knows that encounters like this are quite common. I met a very high ranking judge in a pub at King's Cross Station. He had come to London for a funeral. He was lonely and sad too.
Prior to reading this story, I read "My son was beheaded by Isis. Forgiving the US government was harder than forgiving his killers." in The Telegraph, which is written with such lines as " Our cat Missy curled up in the corner waiting for nothing to happen."
I guess what we live forms our writing skills and our ability to touch others.
Yes, you are right about such encounters. But it is less common for a serious man to ask you to define love. And it is genuinely difficult to do. For perhaps obvious reasons, I have a particularly soft spot for this occasion.
I didn't feel dismissed or devalued, but I thought you might have missed the point of the story. But from what you write, you didn't miss it at all. That encounter happened over ten years ago and now we're in our 80s, but still loving! See https://arichardson.substack.com/p/celebrating-our-sixtieth-wedding
I really like this. The short story is my first literary love. I love it when they arc, like this one does effortlessly, like Steinbecks, or O'connor's. Shorts, to me, are puzzles I enjoy working out their meanings and this one may take me a while! It's really great :-)
This is a lovely read and draws you in. I felt as though I were listening in, as if I were at a table nearby. As a woman who has been married for over 40 years I can also relate in that regard. And as a traveler who has experienced unexpected meaningful conversations that stayed with me years later.
Thank you, Paulette. It did all happen a long while ago, but I smile when I remember.
I've been thinking about your encounter with the gentleman. And wondering, what did he see behind his eyes when he looked at you and your husband. What high energetic vibe did he feel and connect to that sparked such an intimate question from a stranger. There was almost a soulful longing that I felt from him when reading your piece. Thanks again.
Lovely that it stays with you, as it does with me. Yes, there was a soulful longing in a lonely man who had had professional success (he was a Supreme Court Judge, after all) but not personal fulfilment. I think the intimate question was not planned, but just an intelligent mind who liked to query things. But I am guessing completely, as I have no idea what was in his mind aside from the fact that he thought we were English (I am actually American born) and he loved England for probably all the wrong reasons.
Thanks, that's a great observation. I love the way words can communicate different things to each of us.
I like the unfolding of this encounter.
You know that something is coming. Quiet at first, it unravels to become personal, poignant and moving. The gentleman's emptiness expands as he glimpses what he has not experienced: something invisible, beautiful and elusive.
Thank you, Kaz Russell. It’s wonderful when you feel your writing has touched someone else. Mostly I write about my thoughts rather than my experiences, but this moment called out to be written down.
Excellent analysis there. :-)
Anyone who has travelled knows that encounters like this are quite common. I met a very high ranking judge in a pub at King's Cross Station. He had come to London for a funeral. He was lonely and sad too.
Prior to reading this story, I read "My son was beheaded by Isis. Forgiving the US government was harder than forgiving his killers." in The Telegraph, which is written with such lines as " Our cat Missy curled up in the corner waiting for nothing to happen."
I guess what we live forms our writing skills and our ability to touch others.
Yes, you are right about such encounters. But it is less common for a serious man to ask you to define love. And it is genuinely difficult to do. For perhaps obvious reasons, I have a particularly soft spot for this occasion.
I did not intend to in any way dismiss or devalue your encounter Anne.
To sit in a public space and have your Dear Man sincerely and honourably respond to such a question was remarkable.
"I want – very deeply – for her to be happy and fulfilled. It’s in this same way that I also love my children and grandchildren"
Yes this is it. Thank you to your husband for clear evaluation and thankyou Anne for sharing.
Keep Lovin'
I didn't feel dismissed or devalued, but I thought you might have missed the point of the story. But from what you write, you didn't miss it at all. That encounter happened over ten years ago and now we're in our 80s, but still loving! See https://arichardson.substack.com/p/celebrating-our-sixtieth-wedding
I really like this. The short story is my first literary love. I love it when they arc, like this one does effortlessly, like Steinbecks, or O'connor's. Shorts, to me, are puzzles I enjoy working out their meanings and this one may take me a while! It's really great :-)
Thanks Davey, I'm sure Ann will love that comment!
Thanks so much, Davey. You just made my day.