"Papa, if you could go back in time to when you were my age, what do you know now that you wish you had known then?" asked Kyra.Papa smiled. "I wish I had been wise enough to ask the question."
"I'm serious."
"I am too."
After a slight pause, Kyra added, "So you're not going to tell me?"
"There is nothing I could say that would be greater or wiser than the mere asking of the question, unabated. I could give you a few answers that might make sense to me and my life, but probably would be of little value to you and yours."
"I see. So you could but you won't."
Papa laughed. "Come here." Papa pointed to the kitchen window where Grand was washing the morning dishes. "Tell me what you see."
"Grand washing dishes."
"Keep looking."
Kyra looked at Papa and then back at the window. "Well, she's still washing dishes, just like she does every morning."
"True enough, but look deeper."
"OK." Kyra looked on for a few more minutes. "I give up. What is it you want me to see?"
"Look at her face. How does it look?"
"Like it always does."
"Describe it for me."
"Rosy cheeks, brown hair--"
"Deeper."
"What does deeper mean?"
"Look again. Think beyond the physical characteristics. What do you see?"
Kyra looked again. After a short period, long enough to give the impression she had been thinking, she said, "She's just washing dishes Papa. No more, no less."
Papa smiled. "That's it."
"What's it?"
"What I would tell myself, if I could go back in time."
10 comments:
You've said it yourself and you mean what you say, :-), the plot, the something that wants saying could have been said in a brief sentence, but it could never demonstrate the soul of this enchanting chapter. We are reminded in the most beautiful of ways of the balance in this relationship, as much as Papa was for Kyra, she was for him, that you have spoken of and showed us in previous chapters, not just love, not just pleasure, relationship but wisdom to use your word. And though we have, to my recollection, only seen Grand and Papa through the eyes of their granddaughter, or rather the memories, there has been a growing revelation of the depth of their love and how they complimented one another and shared essential qualities and philosophies. The way your mind works, Poppet, is a thing of great beauty that I love to watch. This chapter joins the other Papa/Kyra chapters and their affinity is who is in them but the meaning that they convey, soul shine and spiders and so many others. Radiant, sensitive, responsive soul showing in words the beauty that exists, touching hearts by opening yours. Now and forever more there to be found. The value is immeasurable.
Flowing, sublime, wonderful, wonderful chapter.
Again, you are very kind. This chapter came to mind yesterday on the plane flight home, but only consisted of the opening two sentences. Then I thought to add the next two sentences and leave it at that. The rest of the chapter simply unfolded this morning, with coffee and in bed, as the scene played out, sentence by sentence. The last bit, which seems to bring the chapter full circle and looks as though it was planned from the beginning, surfaced only once everything else was written and not before, not a single solitary second before. This is how it happens. I can't explain it further.
I need to be wise like Papa.
I learn along WITH Kyra.
It's actually pretty cool.
Strumper, you and me both. I've got an empty seat over here. Come join me. :-D
My husband sits watching a football game with the sound off so that he can listen to a sports radio show. There is really nothing there to gain that will add one bit of improvement to his tomorrow.
My children are tucked away in bed, having finished skads of homework that will not help them a bit if they choose a life similar to mine.
I sit here at a computer trying to formulate a comment to express how amazing I think this chapter is.
There is nothing that we could know that would change these experiences right now... no more no less.
Jen, you are a gift to me. I remember when you first discovered my blog and were reading chapter after chapter. What impressed me the most, and still does to this day, is your wonderfully engaged comments. Thank you for being you. :-)
Papa has a style I like :)
Kyra has more wisdom than Papa claimed he had at her age, but no experience of what he teaches her now.
Experience counts. It is something I realize when I re read a book I read ten years ago & find how much I missed in it at the first time I read it!
Re reading a book is the best way to learn, how far you have grown!
I can be no more or no less than just me :)
What I remember about finding your blog and commenting was the intimidation that I felt. Trying in my limited way to tell you what an amazing Story this is... thinking "He is a WRITER. I mean he really really WRITES! What can I say to someone like this?" I was so insecure about commenting.
I understand now that you aren't looking for the same flow of words in my comments that you use in your chapters. If I am not mistaken, you thrive on the fellowship that the Story produces. I can see that in your return comments... always humble and gracious.
And I thank you in return for being you!
Jen, I find your comment fascinating in that I do not and have never seen myself as someone that could intimidate anyone, yet, I get feedback all the time, that somehow, someway, I do. And I am reminded that there is a disconnect between how I see myself and how others see me. Let me say this, I am just very, very thankful you pushed threw those initial feelings. My blog wouldn't be the same without your presence and your comments. :-)
Mona, excellent insight. I too see books like rivers and that, it seems to me, one never steps into the same book twice. I'm more and more convinced that we see the world not as it is but as we are and since we are always changing, the world changes too. I suppose books are also like mirrors, and what we see back is ourselves in the reading. Ready for that cup of tea? :-)
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