This is so thoughtful and…beautiful in a painful way. After I lost my beloved brother - a grief that is burned into my soul - my younger brother gave away all the “things” that I wanted to keep from his estate. I was so furious I didn’t speak to my younger brother for 2 years. But reading through your post I realize it wasn’t because they were things, but HIS things. Thank you for posting this, Leah. 💜
Thank you. My mother, daughter, and I experienced a flood this past summer. I have felt so immensely guilty about not being able to protect, not just our beloved belongings, but the very love, memories, and proof of life they meant to us. I have moments - a map in my heart - of where everything was located and sudden steel-spike stabbings of grief when I realize that map is now false. I failed, I think. I feel like I am re-building my own ribcage. Thank you for your words. You have brought me comfort. I feel less alone.
This is such a thoughtful consoling message of hope for any one who has lost everything like so many in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu part of coastal California, who are having to start all over again. It is also a message of self confidence in that all of one on the inside is so much more important than whatever one owns on the outside even though the memories or mind photographs of things don't ever quite fully compensate for what has been lost or what is attached to what has been lost. But a person's inside often lends them enough strength to get through the dealing with the loss of the outside stuff. Sea turtles are mighty, especially the huge ones that swim around off Barbados. But the sea 🌊 can be very rugged, harsh and unforgiving like catastrophic losses of things and life on land. It is very apt metaphor and very helpful in understanding some of the most difficult to understand losses in life like home, possessions or a loved one. Thanks so much for this post.
The image of the turtle who carries his home on his back is so poignant, especially as we witness the unbelievable destruction that is happening from the fires in and around Los Angeles, where we live. So many people have lost everything and will have to start again. Their inner resources may be all that they have. In the end, our most beloved possessions are “just stuff” as you say. Thanks for your thoughtful and moving essay.
What a beautiful essay, Leah. I found the part about the turtle dream and how we need to create home within ourselves especially meaningful. Rebecca Solnit (!) posted this piece on facebook, which is how I found it. 🐢💚
This is so thoughtful and…beautiful in a painful way. After I lost my beloved brother - a grief that is burned into my soul - my younger brother gave away all the “things” that I wanted to keep from his estate. I was so furious I didn’t speak to my younger brother for 2 years. But reading through your post I realize it wasn’t because they were things, but HIS things. Thank you for posting this, Leah. 💜
Thank you so much for reading it and for your feedback. My deepest condolences on your loss, Jamie.
Thank you. My mother, daughter, and I experienced a flood this past summer. I have felt so immensely guilty about not being able to protect, not just our beloved belongings, but the very love, memories, and proof of life they meant to us. I have moments - a map in my heart - of where everything was located and sudden steel-spike stabbings of grief when I realize that map is now false. I failed, I think. I feel like I am re-building my own ribcage. Thank you for your words. You have brought me comfort. I feel less alone.
This is such a thoughtful consoling message of hope for any one who has lost everything like so many in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu part of coastal California, who are having to start all over again. It is also a message of self confidence in that all of one on the inside is so much more important than whatever one owns on the outside even though the memories or mind photographs of things don't ever quite fully compensate for what has been lost or what is attached to what has been lost. But a person's inside often lends them enough strength to get through the dealing with the loss of the outside stuff. Sea turtles are mighty, especially the huge ones that swim around off Barbados. But the sea 🌊 can be very rugged, harsh and unforgiving like catastrophic losses of things and life on land. It is very apt metaphor and very helpful in understanding some of the most difficult to understand losses in life like home, possessions or a loved one. Thanks so much for this post.
The image of the turtle who carries his home on his back is so poignant, especially as we witness the unbelievable destruction that is happening from the fires in and around Los Angeles, where we live. So many people have lost everything and will have to start again. Their inner resources may be all that they have. In the end, our most beloved possessions are “just stuff” as you say. Thanks for your thoughtful and moving essay.
What a beautiful essay, Leah. I found the part about the turtle dream and how we need to create home within ourselves especially meaningful. Rebecca Solnit (!) posted this piece on facebook, which is how I found it. 🐢💚