Aunt Ruth and I have been waiting for a publisher. It is a hard time to sell a book of photographs and thoughts about love, life, aging, and ideas of how ordinary people can make a difference in the world.
Aunt Ruth is used to waiting. She survived the loss of her husband, her children, and all of her siblings. She waited for 3 years for me to finish photographing her. We waited for my son's wedding this past May, to see my sister, Jane. Aunt Ruth hadn't seen her niece in 3 years. Travel is hard for both of them. Aunt Ruth is 93, and Jane's 30-year siege with rheumatoid arthritis confined her to a wheelchair.
The wedding was beautiful; the reunion incredible. The wait was over.
My sister, Jane, died recently, and I have now lost both of my sisters within the last 10 months. Phyllis passed away in October. I didn't wait for Aunt Ruth's arms to hold me. She offered them immediately. She understands what my friend, the artist, Karen Sandstrom, wrote to me:
It is a humbling and reeling thing to lose the witnesses to your childhood, and to feel the shrinking of family. I have no wisdom for you -- not that you expected it. But I send hugs.
Aunt Ruth and I are each other's witnesses. The richness of Loving Aunt Ruth is deeper for me the longer we wait for publication. We thank all of you readers for waiting with us and hope that the recipes for a life well-lived have meaning for you as well.
As Aunt Ruth says, Life is for the Living.
Stop waiting...
(photo taken in Aunt Ruth's temple, where she was honored this past summer for being the President on the tenple's 100th anniversary when Aunt Ruth was in her 40's. she is still an active member)
No surprise that Aunt Ruth was right there, arms open, waiting for you to slide into them. Some wait is worth the waiting; some is not. May you find all that richness and depth of love as you wait for publication. Sending you both much love xo
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post and like Sherry says, its no wonder that Aunt Ruths arms were there for you. I hope you have your book published soon then it will have been worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for you loss Honey - I really am. You never cease to surprise me though - and this must be from being with Aunt Ruth - you always seem to shine, you manage to see beauty & hope even when you are going through a most tragic time. You are both an inspiration to us all - thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteit's lovely to have a family...that love you.
ReplyDeleteit's comforting to have a family...that loves you. Honey your famliy and how to embrace and teach others to embrace is a lesson of love for us all.
ReplyDeleteHoney, you connect us to our humanity in a profound way. You have been the witness to so much sadness and struggle, and yet you, like Aunt Ruth, see clearly what life is all about, however long it is. I'm extending open arms, sending you both huge hugs.
ReplyDeleteI was so touched by waiting! I look forward to the book! You have such a wonderful way of telling the story. Everyone should have the opportunity to read it!
ReplyDeleteSo sad that Jane and Phyllis will not see the book when it is published, but it will be a wonderful celebration of life.
ReplyDeleteOh Honey...this is so beautifully said. It's a reminder both of patience and of the lessons we all must learn thru love and loss. Lucky - that both you and Aunt Ruth have one another to 'wait' with.
ReplyDeleteInspiring post!!!
You're a wonderful writer Honey and you articulate so poetically the pains of loss and the spirituality of waiting. You and Aunt Ruth nourish us all. I fervently hope you find a publisher this year
ReplyDeletelove to you!
Honey ,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully sensitive post, but I wouldn't expect anything less from someone so warm and caring as you. You have been my brightest beacon and continued to be even when things were so dark. You see things I will never see because of who you are, and I, am your biggest fan.
Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us.
This post gave me chills and tears! So thinking of you!!!
ReplyDeleteKaren's words brought tears to my eyes. Losing those people who you can say "Remember when..." is tough indeed. I have just one cousin who grew up with me and that I can still do that with. I'm so sorry for your huge loss of your sisters. Hopefully, you'll find a way to publish your book and bear witness to another life you hold dear.
ReplyDeleteYes, we wait far too often, far too much in this life. Waiting to call, waiting till we have time, waiting to say I love you.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you have Aunt Ruth there with you, to open her arms and embrace you, to understand that you needed no waiting.
Hugs to you. xo