Oh I love Abigail Thomas! I read Safekeeping years ago when my writing group friend recommended it to me. It came at the right time. On the cusp of midlife trying to make a life with two kids in tow as a single mother and a writer. So many favorite lines. My copy is all marked up with my notes and underlining. But among them --- "What is this longing, she will want to ask. This troubling feeling of more to come. You can make something out of it, I want to tell her. But that's what her life is for.” She is such a treasure. That book slayed me in the best way, like a wise woman whispering in my ear.
Thank you Katie. I couldn’t agree more. Safekeeping is a favorite. “She is such a treasure. That book slayed me in the best way, like a wise woman whispering in my ear.” Thank you for reading and commenting!
Thanks Prajna for this post. I am almost embarrassed to say, Abigail has not crossed my path before. But now that she has, I have subscribed. What a great story you tell here, starting with your dream! Dreams are so powerful, clearly for you a meeting before the meeting. Beautiful.
The connection between Abigail and your journey into writing later in life makes me think about the link between your writings and those moments of fierce honesty and human experience. This is a beautiful narrative about the two of you as writers and also Abby and your meeting with Abigail. The part where you all burst into laughter made me smile, imagining the joy you shared.
A quote from her reading of What Comes Next that I really enjoy for its simplicity is: "I am in love with possibility, the very opposite of death."
I feel a bit chagrined telling you that I only very recently discovered Abigail Thomas. College came later for me than most -- first had to earn a G.E.D. at thirty-five, so I feel like I'm always catching up with writers and great works. Grace grew me into a life-long student, enchanted by learning, discovery, and study. I have a feeling that Ms. Thomas' work will make my heart smile, regardless of when I found her. I bought What Comes Next . . . in hardback. Happy Birthday, Abigail and Happy Birthday, Prajna. Sending love, hugs and goodwill.
Hello Stephanie, well that is a piece of your biography that I didn’t know about.
It makes sense because you have so many great stories to tell. I look forward to reading more. It’s interesting how we come across exactly what we need when we need it.
This is wonderful, Prajna. WHAT COMES NEXT… is one of my all-time favorite memoirs, and Abby is a treasure. I don’t expect to meet her in what I laughingly call “the real world,” yet she is vividly present in everything she writes.
Here's another: I've done a lot of laughing, and it shows. I've done a lot of everything, and it shows. I put my makeup away. Might as well look like who I've gotten to be. it took long enough to get here.
Here's one: Another friend, a woman in her nineties, gave me this unforgettable piece of advice: "Always take a cookie when the plate is being passed."
Hi Nancy, Thank you for reading. I had fun—always in anything in relationship to Abigail. I am glad you know her and Nan is a gem. I have read you too, you are as wonderful.
What a wonderful story — the dream, the real-world meeting, the flow of inspiration. This kind of connection and community is always amazing to see play out. A beautiful birthday post.
Prajna thank you for providing this to all of us for Abigail. You are both a treasure and we are so lucky to be able to join in your lives through the magical, wisdom filled paths you both take us on. Thank you!
Hello Kathy, Thank you for contributing your heart and wisdom. We are traveling together and your story is an important golden thread that weaves us through the thick and thin. Sending love and gratitude,
What really struck me when I was reading this piece, is what makes Abigail’s writing so evocative is how present she is to her ordinary life.
It is precisely her full open presence to her life which allows her to create masterpieces out of every moment and weave them altogether, whether you think they fit or not. And BAM! The reader gets what most readers want, a journey to another place, an escape from the predictability and humdrums of our half-lived lives.
In the ‘presencing’ of her life, she raises it to it’s highest, ‘a parable of eternity’. I’ve been pondering this passage by Herman Hesse, from his book: Goldmund and Narcissus…which I listened to many years ago. And I feel this very much speaks to what I learn and feel from Abigail’s writings.
Here is that conversation between Goldmund and Narcissus.
“Only now do I realize how many paths there are to knowledge.
The path of the mind is not the only one and perhaps not even the best one.
It is my way, of course and I'll stay on it. But I see that you are, on the opposite road. The road of the senses have seized the secret of Being just as deeply, and can express it in a much more lively fashion than most thinkers are able to do.
Our thinking is a constant process of converting things to abstractions, and looking away from the sensory, an attempt to construct a purely
spiritual world.
Where, as you take the least constant, the most mortal things to your heart, and in their very mortality, show the meaning of the world.
You don't look away from the world, you give yourself to it.
And by your sacrifice to it, raise it to the highest, a parable of eternity.
We thinkers try to come close to God by pulling the mask of the world away from His face.
You come close to him by loving his creation and recreating it.
Both are human endeavors. But art is more innocent.”
ABIGAIL IS ART!!!!
I aspire to be like Abigail in this aspect. I wanna be wide open to: messy, feelings, aches, longings. I wanna explore, taste, play, have sex, eat delicious food, stop trying to fix myself, enjoy my wine I can’t seem to give up. I want to have Mother Earth animated in my body. I want it all. I want life to be “burned into my Being.
Abigail, you, don’t now this, but you are helping the defenses I’ve built against life soften within me. Your frankness and your humor are melting my fears away. I find this question presenting in me often, “What are you afraid of, Lila? Let go…you’ll be ok, or not. If you can accept that you don’t know, you will have access to way more life.”
Abigail makes me wanna fucking LIVE, and not give a shit what people think, not even me. She makes me wanna be that piece of clay that Life grabs each morning, and allow myself to be shaped by a conscious and unconditional Love.
Happy 83rd Birthday Abigail ~ You’re my Inspiration. You have a friend in me.
Lila, this is so gorgeous, every word. We'll be sure Abigail gets to read it after cake and wine or maybe during or maybe she has already. To not give a shit what other people think. "It is precisely her full open presence to her life which allows her to create masterpieces out of every moment and weave them altogether, whether you think they fit or not. And BAM! The reader gets what most readers want, a journey to another place, an escape from the predictability and humdrum of our half-lived lives."
So exquisite. Thank you for your contributions of favorite quotes.
Oh I love Abigail Thomas! I read Safekeeping years ago when my writing group friend recommended it to me. It came at the right time. On the cusp of midlife trying to make a life with two kids in tow as a single mother and a writer. So many favorite lines. My copy is all marked up with my notes and underlining. But among them --- "What is this longing, she will want to ask. This troubling feeling of more to come. You can make something out of it, I want to tell her. But that's what her life is for.” She is such a treasure. That book slayed me in the best way, like a wise woman whispering in my ear.
Thank you Katie. I couldn’t agree more. Safekeeping is a favorite. “She is such a treasure. That book slayed me in the best way, like a wise woman whispering in my ear.” Thank you for reading and commenting!
Thanks Prajna for this post. I am almost embarrassed to say, Abigail has not crossed my path before. But now that she has, I have subscribed. What a great story you tell here, starting with your dream! Dreams are so powerful, clearly for you a meeting before the meeting. Beautiful.
The connection between Abigail and your journey into writing later in life makes me think about the link between your writings and those moments of fierce honesty and human experience. This is a beautiful narrative about the two of you as writers and also Abby and your meeting with Abigail. The part where you all burst into laughter made me smile, imagining the joy you shared.
A quote from her reading of What Comes Next that I really enjoy for its simplicity is: "I am in love with possibility, the very opposite of death."
Thank you Ella for this thoughtful recognition
Great quote!
🦋🌹🦋
When you get the time, read Riding In Cars. The movie doesn’t do Bev’s writing justice. 🩵 happy birthday to you both.
Thank you Jodi. I would love to read riding in cars. I’ll put it on my list. Thank you again.
I feel a bit chagrined telling you that I only very recently discovered Abigail Thomas. College came later for me than most -- first had to earn a G.E.D. at thirty-five, so I feel like I'm always catching up with writers and great works. Grace grew me into a life-long student, enchanted by learning, discovery, and study. I have a feeling that Ms. Thomas' work will make my heart smile, regardless of when I found her. I bought What Comes Next . . . in hardback. Happy Birthday, Abigail and Happy Birthday, Prajna. Sending love, hugs and goodwill.
Hello Stephanie, well that is a piece of your biography that I didn’t know about.
It makes sense because you have so many great stories to tell. I look forward to reading more. It’s interesting how we come across exactly what we need when we need it.
Thank you for reading and commenting .
This is wonderful, Prajna. WHAT COMES NEXT… is one of my all-time favorite memoirs, and Abby is a treasure. I don’t expect to meet her in what I laughingly call “the real world,” yet she is vividly present in everything she writes.
Hi Rona, Mine too. Yes, everything is vivid and alive with Abby. YOu never know who you will meet. I feel fortunate. Thank you
Here's a third: It has to be an accident.
This is another favorite that the mind can't put a spin on.
Here's another: I've done a lot of laughing, and it shows. I've done a lot of everything, and it shows. I put my makeup away. Might as well look like who I've gotten to be. it took long enough to get here.
Another FAV, wow you're good. THX Mary
Here's one: Another friend, a woman in her nineties, gave me this unforgettable piece of advice: "Always take a cookie when the plate is being passed."
LOL Ys, I heard this one. Let's collect them all — cookies too.
Oh I love this. I know Abby, not as much as I'd like. And Nan Tepper is a very good friend. Such a loving tribute and that captures the Abby-spirit.
Hi Nancy, Thank you for reading. I had fun—always in anything in relationship to Abigail. I am glad you know her and Nan is a gem. I have read you too, you are as wonderful.
What a wonderful story — the dream, the real-world meeting, the flow of inspiration. This kind of connection and community is always amazing to see play out. A beautiful birthday post.
Thank you so much, Amy. I’m excited to connect with you more and experience your beautiful eyes and art.
This is lovely, Prajna and that lunch we shared was so much fun! Thanks for doing it. Abby's the best. Both of them! xo
I agree Nan. You're not so bad yourself. THX!
Prajna thank you for providing this to all of us for Abigail. You are both a treasure and we are so lucky to be able to join in your lives through the magical, wisdom filled paths you both take us on. Thank you!
Hello Kathy, Thank you for contributing your heart and wisdom. We are traveling together and your story is an important golden thread that weaves us through the thick and thin. Sending love and gratitude,
P
Beautifully written!
Thank you for chiming in Laura. We appreciate your words.
Love, P
What really struck me when I was reading this piece, is what makes Abigail’s writing so evocative is how present she is to her ordinary life.
It is precisely her full open presence to her life which allows her to create masterpieces out of every moment and weave them altogether, whether you think they fit or not. And BAM! The reader gets what most readers want, a journey to another place, an escape from the predictability and humdrums of our half-lived lives.
In the ‘presencing’ of her life, she raises it to it’s highest, ‘a parable of eternity’. I’ve been pondering this passage by Herman Hesse, from his book: Goldmund and Narcissus…which I listened to many years ago. And I feel this very much speaks to what I learn and feel from Abigail’s writings.
Here is that conversation between Goldmund and Narcissus.
“Only now do I realize how many paths there are to knowledge.
The path of the mind is not the only one and perhaps not even the best one.
It is my way, of course and I'll stay on it. But I see that you are, on the opposite road. The road of the senses have seized the secret of Being just as deeply, and can express it in a much more lively fashion than most thinkers are able to do.
Our thinking is a constant process of converting things to abstractions, and looking away from the sensory, an attempt to construct a purely
spiritual world.
Where, as you take the least constant, the most mortal things to your heart, and in their very mortality, show the meaning of the world.
You don't look away from the world, you give yourself to it.
And by your sacrifice to it, raise it to the highest, a parable of eternity.
We thinkers try to come close to God by pulling the mask of the world away from His face.
You come close to him by loving his creation and recreating it.
Both are human endeavors. But art is more innocent.”
ABIGAIL IS ART!!!!
I aspire to be like Abigail in this aspect. I wanna be wide open to: messy, feelings, aches, longings. I wanna explore, taste, play, have sex, eat delicious food, stop trying to fix myself, enjoy my wine I can’t seem to give up. I want to have Mother Earth animated in my body. I want it all. I want life to be “burned into my Being.
Abigail, you, don’t now this, but you are helping the defenses I’ve built against life soften within me. Your frankness and your humor are melting my fears away. I find this question presenting in me often, “What are you afraid of, Lila? Let go…you’ll be ok, or not. If you can accept that you don’t know, you will have access to way more life.”
Abigail makes me wanna fucking LIVE, and not give a shit what people think, not even me. She makes me wanna be that piece of clay that Life grabs each morning, and allow myself to be shaped by a conscious and unconditional Love.
Happy 83rd Birthday Abigail ~ You’re my Inspiration. You have a friend in me.
Lila, this is so gorgeous, every word. We'll be sure Abigail gets to read it after cake and wine or maybe during or maybe she has already. To not give a shit what other people think. "It is precisely her full open presence to her life which allows her to create masterpieces out of every moment and weave them altogether, whether you think they fit or not. And BAM! The reader gets what most readers want, a journey to another place, an escape from the predictability and humdrum of our half-lived lives."
So exquisite. Thank you for your contributions of favorite quotes.
Love, P
You are so welcome. It was an honor, a great pleasure and just plain FUN! I hope she gets to read it also. 💕
For sure
I’ll tell her!
Prajna, I just love this; I’m reading as greedily as another piece of cake! Happy Birthday Abby!! Here’s my interview with her: https://debbieweil.substack.com/p/legendary-memoirist-abigail-thomas. P.S. I added your essay to the end of my Q&A with Abby.
Awww Debbie, Thank you so much. We can have our cake and eat it too. Thank you for adding the kink. I was short on time. Or I would have asked for it.
Now it is here. Thx for adding the essay.
I appreciate you!
Love,
P