Tuesday, May 20, 2008

i wish i may

Listened to The Great Failure read by the author, Natalie Goldberg. I've been revisiting her a lot these days to very little avail in the way of writing—the glitch is mine, all mine. And so, instead of writing something of my own, I'll share one of the things in the book that has reverberated with me. Goldberg explains how she would want to be remembered:
…I wouldn’t want people to say of me only “She was a great teacher” or “I loved her writing.” I would like at least one person to come closer, to add, “She was also lonely, she suffered a lot. She was mixed up. She made some big mistakes.” Then tell those mistakes and sum up: “But she was important to me.” Then I would feel really honored, as though someone had seen and known me.
Who knows you? Do they give credit for failure? Who do you know?

3 comments:

Leila said...

i am known, but only recently. it's like a whole new world.

i think i've read natalie goldberg in the Sun, is that possible. fantastic quote. thanks.

erin said...

it's so hard to come by--requires honesty and gentleness.

i'm glad you liked it, too.

[...and i did some digging. if you mean this Sun, then yes! if you mean the big heat and light giving one, yes to that, too. it's also possible to read her in the rain and snow, etc. ;)]

Leila said...

I actually meant this Sun (http://www.thesunmagazine.org/). If you don't know this magazine already I guarantee you will love it. Bought a gift subscription for a friend last year (requested) and now read all her issues. As for Shambala Sun, well it's not as hokey as I first expected. I read it at other people's houses too...
Enough room for lots of suns in the sky.