Dear Leah, your whole essay has such a depth of feeling and companionship for nature, I loved every word but this is so evocative of my own rather bohemian childhood,
"But I do recall the brilliance of the stars as I traced the path of the dippers and followed the brushstroke of Milky Way painted across the sky. I felt incredibly small, engulfed in incomprehensible magic."
Oh, Susie. Thank you so much for your response. I love that we're connected through the stars. (Of course we all are, but sometimes the feeling is extra special.) May the awareness of the magic continue!
"Even in areas where I have acquired some knowledge over the years, I feel called to learn more before I write." I really relate to this! Also what you wrote about stargazing with your family reminded me of Terry Tempest Williams (I want to say there was a family star-gazing scene in Refuge but I have a cat on my lap so I'm not walking over to grab the book), and then of course, she's on your list. She should have been on my list, too, but I had the same problem, too many influences, and I inadvertently omitted an important one. Glad to read your thoughts here.
What a warm, open heart.
Thank you.
Dear Leah, your whole essay has such a depth of feeling and companionship for nature, I loved every word but this is so evocative of my own rather bohemian childhood,
"But I do recall the brilliance of the stars as I traced the path of the dippers and followed the brushstroke of Milky Way painted across the sky. I felt incredibly small, engulfed in incomprehensible magic."
Thank you for the reminder. 💚
Oh, Susie. Thank you so much for your response. I love that we're connected through the stars. (Of course we all are, but sometimes the feeling is extra special.) May the awareness of the magic continue!
"Even in areas where I have acquired some knowledge over the years, I feel called to learn more before I write." I really relate to this! Also what you wrote about stargazing with your family reminded me of Terry Tempest Williams (I want to say there was a family star-gazing scene in Refuge but I have a cat on my lap so I'm not walking over to grab the book), and then of course, she's on your list. She should have been on my list, too, but I had the same problem, too many influences, and I inadvertently omitted an important one. Glad to read your thoughts here.
Thanks, Mary Beth. So many wonderful writers, there’s hardly time enough. And thanks for your writing. I so appreciate it.
Glad you enjoyed this, Mary Beth.