Speaking of the stream of life, a nice Ann Patchett tribute (
on her birthday) to her teacher Grace Paley:
"She taught me that writing must not be compartmentalized. You don't step out of the stream of your life to do your work. Work was the life, and who you were as a mother, teacher, friend, citizen, activist, and artist was all the same person. People like to ask me if writing can be taught, and I say yes. I can teach you how to write a better sentence, how to write dialogue, maybe even how to construct a plot. But I can't teach you how to have something to say."
We teachers are forever prompting students to say something, and to listen. But Ann's right, I can't teach them "how to have something to say." I can only offer my own meager example, shine my dim light, and point out some of the brighter lights who've led us to where we are.
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity."
"There is no conclusion. What has concluded, that we might conclude in regard to it? There are no fortunes to be told, and there is no advice to be given.--Farewell!"
5:20/6:42, 48/53
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