“we’re actually starving for what we’re not giving.” Blessed Truth. Thank you for this mixed grille of sorrow and silly and sharing our bananas — lifting us all up!
Who knew that all it would take to lift the dispirited mood of the day was some words, so droll and so true, from the dear Anne Lamott! Bless you. Totally melting in the endless heat here in the UK - in England, heat, in England!! Normally we'd be moaning about how many days it has rained in a row and what happened to the blithe summers of our youth, thrown out of the house in the morning and roaming unattended all the long day, finding stag beetles and vacated birds nests. Now I collapse my old bones in front of a fan and try to remember the last time I wasn't too hot. No such thing as climate change, OF CORSE, says the orange evil and his cringing followers. But as long as we have some words of wit and wisdom and comfort from Anne it's truly not all lost. I will give something to someone who can use it right this minute and tell that Anne sent me xx
There’s a guy that for YEARS has hung around our church (one with casseroles). We’ve gotten him from living on the streets, to a room, someone washes his clothes, another helps with some healthcare issues, and so on. He’s always there every Sunday to listen to the choir practicing. If you could see his face, all the cares fall away, and this peaceful countenance just radiates from him. He’s not keen on crowds and usually doesn’t stay for services, but will take a to-go box if we have an after-church food event. He’s just one person and he’s not all there but I’m sure he’d be in jail if it weren’t for us.
Bless you, Anne. Woke up in the dumps. I just read what you wrote and I'm smiling...you have a way with words and humor even in the midst of all the craziness going on. Thank you.
Anne, I'm amongst those in the extra suffering club lately thanks to the implosion of my family of origin. My Horrible Brother has estranged himself from me and cut me off from my Precious Nieces and Nephews. I have cried daily for weeks in the powerlessness of this. But "starving for what we're not giving" means I need to find someone to offer the love I have stockpiled for them until I can share it with them again. Thank you for seeing me and being my friend in this lonely time.
Casseroles aren't THAT bad! In the 1960's as a divorced single mother of 3, those kids and I ate tuna casseroles every Friday night! No one complained! And now, in my old age, someone giving me a Friday night tuna casserole would be lovely! Not liking the act of cooking too much these days--it can be downright hard! I try not to burn stuff on a very old cranky electric stove! Oh, wait, that's ME who is "old and cranky!"
Also Episcopalians. In fact I’m pretty sure on Saturday (or Friday if you prefer), in addition to other items, God said « Let there be casseroles. ». Because you need casseroles so you can have leftovers the next day and have a day of rest.
Grew up in casserole loving South Dakota. My sister read somewhere that jello mold desserts became a status symbol because it demonstrated you had a refrigerator and not everyone had refrigerators out there on the SD farm.
I always enjoy how your cranky ass perspective shifts gears into the one few know how to use as well as you, Kindness. And no brakes on Hope always works for me. We will get there with lots of good company in tow!
No one reveals truth with humor and pathos quite like Anne Lamott! "Courage is fear that has said its prayers." May we all breathe deeply and be courageously generous of spirit in a time that feels bananas, sharing the fruits of honoring our loving hearts.
I was eating a banana while reading this, but I ate the whole thing so I'm feeling slightly guilty! But next time...I've loved your writing for a long time. This was an instant classic.
It’s been a shitty Monday here. Thanks cutting through it with your voice, like a knife in a 40 degree centigrade kitchen! I am a long time fan of your writing.
“we’re actually starving for what we’re not giving.” Blessed Truth. Thank you for this mixed grille of sorrow and silly and sharing our bananas — lifting us all up!
Who knew that all it would take to lift the dispirited mood of the day was some words, so droll and so true, from the dear Anne Lamott! Bless you. Totally melting in the endless heat here in the UK - in England, heat, in England!! Normally we'd be moaning about how many days it has rained in a row and what happened to the blithe summers of our youth, thrown out of the house in the morning and roaming unattended all the long day, finding stag beetles and vacated birds nests. Now I collapse my old bones in front of a fan and try to remember the last time I wasn't too hot. No such thing as climate change, OF CORSE, says the orange evil and his cringing followers. But as long as we have some words of wit and wisdom and comfort from Anne it's truly not all lost. I will give something to someone who can use it right this minute and tell that Anne sent me xx
There’s a guy that for YEARS has hung around our church (one with casseroles). We’ve gotten him from living on the streets, to a room, someone washes his clothes, another helps with some healthcare issues, and so on. He’s always there every Sunday to listen to the choir practicing. If you could see his face, all the cares fall away, and this peaceful countenance just radiates from him. He’s not keen on crowds and usually doesn’t stay for services, but will take a to-go box if we have an after-church food event. He’s just one person and he’s not all there but I’m sure he’d be in jail if it weren’t for us.
What a wonderful story to show how we help impact a life with a little kindness and compassion. Thank you for sharing.
Bless you, Anne. Woke up in the dumps. I just read what you wrote and I'm smiling...you have a way with words and humor even in the midst of all the craziness going on. Thank you.
Love the grown children book idea! I need it says the empty nester, trying to rebrand it as “open nest”
We need a book on the open nest!
Yes!
Anne, I'm amongst those in the extra suffering club lately thanks to the implosion of my family of origin. My Horrible Brother has estranged himself from me and cut me off from my Precious Nieces and Nephews. I have cried daily for weeks in the powerlessness of this. But "starving for what we're not giving" means I need to find someone to offer the love I have stockpiled for them until I can share it with them again. Thank you for seeing me and being my friend in this lonely time.
Thanks for this. And also, who was it who said, “If I weren’t old, I’d think I was sick” ?
Stay calm and share your bananas. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Love the Presbyterians bring casseroles!
I am assured that Lutherans are licensed to bring casseroles too, especially in the upper Midwest.
Casseroles aren't THAT bad! In the 1960's as a divorced single mother of 3, those kids and I ate tuna casseroles every Friday night! No one complained! And now, in my old age, someone giving me a Friday night tuna casserole would be lovely! Not liking the act of cooking too much these days--it can be downright hard! I try not to burn stuff on a very old cranky electric stove! Oh, wait, that's ME who is "old and cranky!"
Methodists also!
I am Presbyterian USA, and we love our casseroles. 💟💟💟
Also Episcopalians. In fact I’m pretty sure on Saturday (or Friday if you prefer), in addition to other items, God said « Let there be casseroles. ». Because you need casseroles so you can have leftovers the next day and have a day of rest.
God also loves a good jello mold!
Grew up in casserole loving South Dakota. My sister read somewhere that jello mold desserts became a status symbol because it demonstrated you had a refrigerator and not everyone had refrigerators out there on the SD farm.
I always enjoy how your cranky ass perspective shifts gears into the one few know how to use as well as you, Kindness. And no brakes on Hope always works for me. We will get there with lots of good company in tow!
Yes, Anne provides the perfect mix of “cranky ass” and kindness. And we will get there (to the land of kindness) with plenty of bananas to share.
My tween grandsons start school next Monday. You’re right, Anne. School should - and always did - start after Labor Day!
i will bring matzo ball soup. it will cure all. except for evil.
No one reveals truth with humor and pathos quite like Anne Lamott! "Courage is fear that has said its prayers." May we all breathe deeply and be courageously generous of spirit in a time that feels bananas, sharing the fruits of honoring our loving hearts.
One of your best, Anne.
Looking forward to the book. Hurry up, before I don’t need it anymore. 😎
I was eating a banana while reading this, but I ate the whole thing so I'm feeling slightly guilty! But next time...I've loved your writing for a long time. This was an instant classic.
It’s been a shitty Monday here. Thanks cutting through it with your voice, like a knife in a 40 degree centigrade kitchen! I am a long time fan of your writing.