Maybe because of my connections with Sweden and my love of Patti Smith, I was thrilled to hear she would be singing in Stockholm at the Nobel Prize Ceremony. I decided to watch it live on my tiny phone after seeing a tweet that it was to be live streamed.
I was also hoping to catch Bob Dylan’s speech and the citation for his Literature Prize. I wondered how they would deal with his very conspicuous absence, would he still be given the almost one million dollars for not turning up? I jumped online just in time for Patti as she was singing A Hard Rain, no better woman, she had remembered every single word of Dylan’s three thousand verses perfectly. But half way through she suddenly faltered. Everything stopped for a moment, suspended in time and things fell into a space of not knowing. What would happen, would she find her voice, could she continue, would she collapse. I found myself cheering her on, g’wan Patti, g’wan girl!!! Patti has written beautifully about it herself here.
Now this has to be an omen. This is my older sister Patti, a few more years down the line. She fearlessly plunges into such a huge challenge with her vulnerability and grace tagging along for the ride. Me too I want to whisper….or maybe even shout! I am falling into the vulnerabilty of not knowing too. Here I go! Here we all go! Seems like there’s a lot more faltering to master……
It’s the winter Solstice, a time of letting go, as 2016 fades away into the past. Meanwhile I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas if that’s your celebration and if not I wish you light, love and a fantastic 2017. I will be back here in January with a courageous fresh start, and a whole new adventure. Thank you so much for following Foxglove Lane and for your ongoing encouragement. It means the world to me.
PS Here are two more posts with connections to Patti.
Thank you for this beautiful essay. I was thinking as I looked at the pictures how much it seemed as if I were looking at the spaces all round me that I have grown up with, and thinking how though we are so very different, we are so at home. I have not paid attention in the recent days to the news, having been off work and consumed with work of my own, so I had to read the beautifully worded essay of Patti Smith, and watch the video. Oh, but it was not her faltering, her fear, her embarrassment that captured me, it was her resolve to see it through, and to rise with power I could feel to the purpose of the moment. It was a reminder to me that though many of my days of late have felt like looking into that hard rain, that in the end, all I can do is put a foot in front of me and hold my head a bit higher and continue on doing what I believe in. To me, that was the beauty of her singing, and the measure that will remain with me long after I might have forgotten a perfectly sung song.
Your writing is really soooooo beautiful too! You have put your finger on the inspiration of an older woman resolving to continue, to rise up with power, that has caught us in that moment. Thank you so much for turning up here on a regular basis. I feel we are on this path together and your company along the way is heartwarming. Where can I find you on Social Media? Do you blog too?
Thank you, Catherine. I appreciate your kind words, as I especially enjoy your photographs and thoughtful words. I do blog, at Suzassippi (suzassippi.wordpress.com and mostly about historic buildings, but occasionally other subjects) as well as at my first blog Suzassippi’s Lottabusha County Chronicles, which is a bit of everything–family, my dad’s horse and pasture philosophy, education, politics, and of course, historic buildings. You can find that one at suzassippi.blogspot.com.
Lovely photos! I am ready for 2017…ready to let go of 2016 and all the heartache it brought me. I want to start with a fresh heart in 2017. 🙂
Thank you Stephanie. Yes I am ready too! It’s been an odd one but I’m looking forward to that next trip around the sun x
Catching up my dear friend as winter digs in and the holidays are upon us. I am hoping to be back in January, full of hope and vulnerability… but for now I rest, reflect and continue to heal….wishing you much love and light during this holiday season!
Take your time Donna. I’ve not been to well myself and it’s hard to get the balance right. I think we all need a good digital detox now and then. Wishing you much love for the winter holiday season xxx
A beautiful new beginning to you, dear Catherine, as we lap around the sun again.
May this next jaunt be your sweetest so far.
Thanks for all the beauty you share:)
-jennifer
Thank you Jennifer, I hope we both have a wonderful year of creating ahead xx