Love this post Tommy. I’ve thought before about how much I’d love to take some time and capture as many stories I can remember as possible, all those little things that depart from memory until, one day, we see a picture or smell a smell or catch some glimpse that brings us right back to that most magical experience—that state of being we once embodied—we had somehow forgotten about. Sometimes they all tie together, sometimes it seems like they don’t. But that doesn’t make them any less special, nor does it mean that they don’t tie together at all… it might mean simply that we don’t yet see how it all ties together… that the story is not yet over!
Beautiful writing Tommy! I'm gearing up for a 6 week unplugged walk across northern Spain so hoping it's as conducive for writing material as it was for you and Hemingway!
I’m not sure whether it’s the deep impressions left by heightened emotion or the sharpness which those feelings allow you to so vividly recollect the moments, but the “No way out but through” genre of memory can be so curiously fulfilling in reflection, even if the experiences weren’t necessarily pleasant or voluntary. The adrenaline of being confronted by your body’s physical limits, vulnerabilities, and severe discomfort can be so effective for grounding your gratitude, and tapping into something I fail to describe as anything other than a sense of primal victory that only visits on the other side of a challenging summit (literal and metaphorical) when you finally get to replant your feet in stable earth and take a deep breath you worried might never come. Against all cosmic odds, we continue to exist in this moment, and to endure for as long as possible is a privilege worth cherishing. Loved these stories!
Thank you for reading macs and (as always) leaving a reflection that leaves me thinking for days to come.
This especially was stunning: "Against all cosmic odds, we continue to exist in this moment, and to endure for as long as possible is a privilege worth cherishing."
You are so beautifully human, Tommy, and so generous with your humanity. My own past comes alive within me, to imbue my presnt with the richness of being, as I read your beautiful, compelling words. My own humanity grows deeper and larger. You bring life to Life, and I am so grateful for your presence in my world.
I think only connection between these stories is the fear and fight for survival, with some sort of lesson learned at the end. Maybe there’s more, each is set in a landscape of romantic history, or linked to the past in some other way, and this place so intertwined with its roots then determines your future. Thank you so much for this post, it really is beautiful.
Love this post Tommy. I’ve thought before about how much I’d love to take some time and capture as many stories I can remember as possible, all those little things that depart from memory until, one day, we see a picture or smell a smell or catch some glimpse that brings us right back to that most magical experience—that state of being we once embodied—we had somehow forgotten about. Sometimes they all tie together, sometimes it seems like they don’t. But that doesn’t make them any less special, nor does it mean that they don’t tie together at all… it might mean simply that we don’t yet see how it all ties together… that the story is not yet over!
Thank you for reading Ryan and leaving such a beautiful reflection (: appreciate your presence here man
Of course brotha, love your work
Wow, the imagery in these stories is incredible:
“Nothing to light my way but a pale moon and a riot of crisp and glittering autumn stars above.”
“Waves began to crash into each other, foamy and white, the unapologetic midday sun scorched the surface of everything it saw”
Love the theme of life in inches. Really well done!
Thank you Rachel! still much work to do in my storytelling, but really appreciate the encouragement. Hope you're awesome (:
Beautiful writing Tommy! I'm gearing up for a 6 week unplugged walk across northern Spain so hoping it's as conducive for writing material as it was for you and Hemingway!
Thank you Jack (: hope your camino is awesome (I love how you added "unplugged" in there)
I’m not sure whether it’s the deep impressions left by heightened emotion or the sharpness which those feelings allow you to so vividly recollect the moments, but the “No way out but through” genre of memory can be so curiously fulfilling in reflection, even if the experiences weren’t necessarily pleasant or voluntary. The adrenaline of being confronted by your body’s physical limits, vulnerabilities, and severe discomfort can be so effective for grounding your gratitude, and tapping into something I fail to describe as anything other than a sense of primal victory that only visits on the other side of a challenging summit (literal and metaphorical) when you finally get to replant your feet in stable earth and take a deep breath you worried might never come. Against all cosmic odds, we continue to exist in this moment, and to endure for as long as possible is a privilege worth cherishing. Loved these stories!
Thank you for reading macs and (as always) leaving a reflection that leaves me thinking for days to come.
This especially was stunning: "Against all cosmic odds, we continue to exist in this moment, and to endure for as long as possible is a privilege worth cherishing."
Appreciate you (:
Really enjoyed this one. As someone who also studied abroad in Spain, you should have known the buses would be late!
Hahaha thank you Andrew. I should have! Spanish time tends a little on the late side
Beautiful piece, as usual, Tommy. Reminds me that the stories that linger, shape or stay with us deserve to be told and marked down. Thank you
Thank you man - for reading and leaving such a lovely reflection here. The past that echoes through us, has a certain wistful beauty to it
You are so beautifully human, Tommy, and so generous with your humanity. My own past comes alive within me, to imbue my presnt with the richness of being, as I read your beautiful, compelling words. My own humanity grows deeper and larger. You bring life to Life, and I am so grateful for your presence in my world.
Thank you Amba (: your words of support and your presence here mean so much
I think only connection between these stories is the fear and fight for survival, with some sort of lesson learned at the end. Maybe there’s more, each is set in a landscape of romantic history, or linked to the past in some other way, and this place so intertwined with its roots then determines your future. Thank you so much for this post, it really is beautiful.
Ah I love that. Thank you for reading & the kind words (: