This one was gorgeous. And a beautiful love song to Alicia. You made me think deeply about my love of the woods and how the forest remains (mostly) the same while the world just keeps changing. That unlocked something. I think a lot of that peace I feel, like when I'm admiring the ocean, is because it remains a constant in my life. As the world rushes by, the tree stands tall and still.
Much appreciated, Kent! There are many lessons to be learned from nature. Wisdom is all around us. And I've been trying to use my own mental health as a barometer or maybe a compass. Where do I feel best? What brings me a sense of well-being? What does my soul want? Thanks for being here with us!
Your writings are wonderfully heartfelt and touch my soul. I recently watched the film, Birdy , and am now inspired to read the book. Thank you for your vulnerability and passion for writing what is real and true💗
Hi Matthew ~ Birds have been a significant part of my life also! Not that I can identify many species, or see many (other than a lot of geese and some ducks) near where we live… but my daughter is an animal behavior biologist who has specialized in research of birdsong learning. So her learning and enthusiasm has rubbed off on me, and I do feel that birds are beautiful, awesome creatures.
Your essay is reminding me of the recent book by Amy Tan, The Backyard Bird Chronicles. She is a novelist, as you know, but a few years ago started keeping a journal of the birds she observed in her yard, in California. She also learned to draw, and the book is very nicely illustrated by her! I recommend this book to you… even as I’m thinking “What? I have the chutzpah to recommend a book to a published writer??” 🤭
It’s true that birds only sing (prettily) when predators aren’t around… but when a predator does appear, the birds start to screech and call loudly to warn their friends. 🦜 🦚 🕊️
May you and Alicia take beautiful hikes together for many more years and miles.
What a soothing and thought-provoking post, due to your beautiful expression and its profound synchronicity. It makes the “Jungian in me curious” too. The person I love most in the world told me before he died “I will be every bird you see.” I will also note that the day you typed the post is the anniversary of that day. So I guess I defend Mean Bird because perhaps he had a rough time and is not evolved enough yet to know equanimity. (Ok, it’s a stretch.) And I also like that perhaps he is in protection mode. I am touched by Alicia’s words about birdsong and its effect on our amygdalae. More proof we really are all connected, “our souls sing to each other like birds.” Thank you Matthew and Alicia too, your post is nourishing.
"I will be every bird you see." What a beautiful gift! We all need protection from time to time. Defenses (especially those developed in childhood) serve(d) a purpose. Sometimes a lifesaving purpose. They key is letting go of them once we are no longer in danger. That can be very hard for some of us. It's certainly been hard for me. So glad you got something good from this one, Anna CB. Thanks for these kind words and for being here with us.
I never noticed birds much until we bought our first home in our late twenties. Our realtor was delighted with our new wildlife, naming every variety of bird he saw in the yard. My husband and I caught each other’s eyes and grinned that youthful grin which translates to “What an old fart!”
Twenty years on, guess who’s spending a big hunk of her time making hummingbird nectar, cleaning feeders, and delighting at the feathered bounty?
I loved both the outer tenderness for Alicia, and inner tending to that mean hummingbird. As always, thanks for sharing your innards!
Oh, the joys of middle age! When we don't have to be cool anymore, when we can sink into whatever lights us up, when nature makes sense again! So glad you got something from this one, Megan. Thanks for being here with us. Here's to the inner and outer hummingbirds!
Last week, I was so overwhelmed with the world that I set all my accounts to ‘no notifications’. Then, I wondered for a week why I didn’t have your latest post. Finally, early this morning, I searched for it on Substack. Geez. I changed my settings.
Such a wonderful post, with its deep dive into birds, Jungian synchronicities, and Alicia.
I recently read The Reason You’re Alive and was deeply moved. It is an important book for our times. I struggle to maintain contact with a cousin, working class, Midsouth, enlisted in the Marines in 1967, still struggles mightily with PTSD, and is deep in the MAGA black hole. We could not be more different yet he always reaches out to me with love. To my husband’s bewilderment, I feel the same towards him, and we maintain a gentle connection. Your book helped me so much with its nuanced exploration of that sort of world. I appreciate your deep love and respect for what is often dismissed as working-class people.
I am currently reading The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan, which I think of as a mashup of what you and Alicia might write. I like Dolan and am fascinated by The Satellite Sisters.
Finally, a classmate of mine from 55 years ago sold the family home after her adult son died of cancer last year and moved to another state to be near her other son and his family, with the help of family and friends, especially friends of her sons. She drove a big U-Haul across the southeast through Atlanta after the hurricane and finally arrived two days ago. Last night, she posted a peaceful twilight video from her screened-in porch, full of peaceful birdsongs. I sent your post to her early this morning as evidence that she had found the right home.
So glad this latest post lifted your spirits, cmorr. Thanks for reading TRYA too. I think different psychological complexes are activated by different political parties and ideologies. We mostly are all just trying to survive the best we can. I think bringing it back to the human level, the connections we make one-on-one, free of the rest of the world's shadows—that's where the inner work is at. There is outer work to do elsewhere, for sure. But the soul work, that's what I've been after lately. I think I've always been after that on the page. It can be a lonely and at times scary walk—less ego gratifying for sure—but then we meet those successes unexpected in common hours, like Thoreau wrote about. Hope your classmate got something from the above. I'm fighting hard to keep on keeping on. I appreciate the fuel. Thank you.
Last week, I was so overwhelmed with the world that I set all my accounts to ‘no notifications’. Then, I wondered for a week why I didn’t have your latest post. Finally, early this morning, I searched for it on Substack. Geez. I changed my settings.
Such a wonderful post, with its deep dive into birds, Jungian synchronicities, and Alicia.
I recently read The Reason You’re Alive and was deeply moved. It is an important book for our times. I struggle to maintain contact with a cousin, working class, Midsouth, enlisted in the Marines in 1967, still struggles mightily with PTSD, and is deep in the MAGA black hole. We could not be more different yet he always reaches out to me with love. To my husband’s bewilderment, I feel the same towards him, and we maintain a gentle connection. Your book helped me so much with its nuanced exploration of that sort of world. I appreciate your deep love and respect for what is often dismissed as working-class people.
I am currently reading The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan, which I think of as a mashup of what you and Alicia might write. I like Dolan and am fascinated by The Satellite Sisters.
Finally, a classmate of mine from 55 years ago sold the family home after her adult son died of cancer last year and moved to another state to be near her other son and his family, with the help of family and friends, especially friends of her sons. She drove a big U-Haul across the southeast through Atlanta after the hurricane and finally arrived two days ago. Last night, she posted a peaceful twilight video from her screened-in porch, full of peaceful birdsongs. I sent your post to her early this morning as evidence that she had found the right home.
I loved reading this and the beautiful way you describe Alicia. 🥰
Thanks, Becca! So glad you enjoyed!
This one was gorgeous. And a beautiful love song to Alicia. You made me think deeply about my love of the woods and how the forest remains (mostly) the same while the world just keeps changing. That unlocked something. I think a lot of that peace I feel, like when I'm admiring the ocean, is because it remains a constant in my life. As the world rushes by, the tree stands tall and still.
Much appreciated, Kent! There are many lessons to be learned from nature. Wisdom is all around us. And I've been trying to use my own mental health as a barometer or maybe a compass. Where do I feel best? What brings me a sense of well-being? What does my soul want? Thanks for being here with us!
Beautiful.
Thanks, brother!
I’ll say it too…beautiful…in so many ways! ❤️
Thanks, Mom!
As always, so beautiful, Matthew. "We are melodies we can't remember." Happy Anniversary to you and Alicia.
Thanks, Brigid Duffy!
Your writings are wonderfully heartfelt and touch my soul. I recently watched the film, Birdy , and am now inspired to read the book. Thank you for your vulnerability and passion for writing what is real and true💗
Oh, the book is so good! I watched the film first and really enjoyed it. But the novel took me somewhere else altogether.
Thanks for the kind words, Paula Whittle!
I noticed the PNW isn’t in your list, yet. Happy Trails to you and Alicia.
I would love to remedy that. I've been to the PNW but have not hiked it. I know I am missing out. Thanks, SB!
Hi Matthew ~ Birds have been a significant part of my life also! Not that I can identify many species, or see many (other than a lot of geese and some ducks) near where we live… but my daughter is an animal behavior biologist who has specialized in research of birdsong learning. So her learning and enthusiasm has rubbed off on me, and I do feel that birds are beautiful, awesome creatures.
Your essay is reminding me of the recent book by Amy Tan, The Backyard Bird Chronicles. She is a novelist, as you know, but a few years ago started keeping a journal of the birds she observed in her yard, in California. She also learned to draw, and the book is very nicely illustrated by her! I recommend this book to you… even as I’m thinking “What? I have the chutzpah to recommend a book to a published writer??” 🤭
It’s true that birds only sing (prettily) when predators aren’t around… but when a predator does appear, the birds start to screech and call loudly to warn their friends. 🦜 🦚 🕊️
May you and Alicia take beautiful hikes together for many more years and miles.
~ Linda Soha
Oh, nice on the Amy Tan book. I'll have to look that up. I really appreciate the kind words here, Linda. Thank you!
What a soothing and thought-provoking post, due to your beautiful expression and its profound synchronicity. It makes the “Jungian in me curious” too. The person I love most in the world told me before he died “I will be every bird you see.” I will also note that the day you typed the post is the anniversary of that day. So I guess I defend Mean Bird because perhaps he had a rough time and is not evolved enough yet to know equanimity. (Ok, it’s a stretch.) And I also like that perhaps he is in protection mode. I am touched by Alicia’s words about birdsong and its effect on our amygdalae. More proof we really are all connected, “our souls sing to each other like birds.” Thank you Matthew and Alicia too, your post is nourishing.
"I will be every bird you see." What a beautiful gift! We all need protection from time to time. Defenses (especially those developed in childhood) serve(d) a purpose. Sometimes a lifesaving purpose. They key is letting go of them once we are no longer in danger. That can be very hard for some of us. It's certainly been hard for me. So glad you got something good from this one, Anna CB. Thanks for these kind words and for being here with us.
I never noticed birds much until we bought our first home in our late twenties. Our realtor was delighted with our new wildlife, naming every variety of bird he saw in the yard. My husband and I caught each other’s eyes and grinned that youthful grin which translates to “What an old fart!”
Twenty years on, guess who’s spending a big hunk of her time making hummingbird nectar, cleaning feeders, and delighting at the feathered bounty?
I loved both the outer tenderness for Alicia, and inner tending to that mean hummingbird. As always, thanks for sharing your innards!
Oh, the joys of middle age! When we don't have to be cool anymore, when we can sink into whatever lights us up, when nature makes sense again! So glad you got something from this one, Megan. Thanks for being here with us. Here's to the inner and outer hummingbirds!
This is really beautiful, and such good food for thought. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks, Chris deBrabander!
Last week, I was so overwhelmed with the world that I set all my accounts to ‘no notifications’. Then, I wondered for a week why I didn’t have your latest post. Finally, early this morning, I searched for it on Substack. Geez. I changed my settings.
Such a wonderful post, with its deep dive into birds, Jungian synchronicities, and Alicia.
I recently read The Reason You’re Alive and was deeply moved. It is an important book for our times. I struggle to maintain contact with a cousin, working class, Midsouth, enlisted in the Marines in 1967, still struggles mightily with PTSD, and is deep in the MAGA black hole. We could not be more different yet he always reaches out to me with love. To my husband’s bewilderment, I feel the same towards him, and we maintain a gentle connection. Your book helped me so much with its nuanced exploration of that sort of world. I appreciate your deep love and respect for what is often dismissed as working-class people.
I am currently reading The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan, which I think of as a mashup of what you and Alicia might write. I like Dolan and am fascinated by The Satellite Sisters.
Finally, a classmate of mine from 55 years ago sold the family home after her adult son died of cancer last year and moved to another state to be near her other son and his family, with the help of family and friends, especially friends of her sons. She drove a big U-Haul across the southeast through Atlanta after the hurricane and finally arrived two days ago. Last night, she posted a peaceful twilight video from her screened-in porch, full of peaceful birdsongs. I sent your post to her early this morning as evidence that she had found the right home.
Keep on keeping on, Matthew Quick.
So glad this latest post lifted your spirits, cmorr. Thanks for reading TRYA too. I think different psychological complexes are activated by different political parties and ideologies. We mostly are all just trying to survive the best we can. I think bringing it back to the human level, the connections we make one-on-one, free of the rest of the world's shadows—that's where the inner work is at. There is outer work to do elsewhere, for sure. But the soul work, that's what I've been after lately. I think I've always been after that on the page. It can be a lonely and at times scary walk—less ego gratifying for sure—but then we meet those successes unexpected in common hours, like Thoreau wrote about. Hope your classmate got something from the above. I'm fighting hard to keep on keeping on. I appreciate the fuel. Thank you.
Last week, I was so overwhelmed with the world that I set all my accounts to ‘no notifications’. Then, I wondered for a week why I didn’t have your latest post. Finally, early this morning, I searched for it on Substack. Geez. I changed my settings.
Such a wonderful post, with its deep dive into birds, Jungian synchronicities, and Alicia.
I recently read The Reason You’re Alive and was deeply moved. It is an important book for our times. I struggle to maintain contact with a cousin, working class, Midsouth, enlisted in the Marines in 1967, still struggles mightily with PTSD, and is deep in the MAGA black hole. We could not be more different yet he always reaches out to me with love. To my husband’s bewilderment, I feel the same towards him, and we maintain a gentle connection. Your book helped me so much with its nuanced exploration of that sort of world. I appreciate your deep love and respect for what is often dismissed as working-class people.
I am currently reading The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan, which I think of as a mashup of what you and Alicia might write. I like Dolan and am fascinated by The Satellite Sisters.
Finally, a classmate of mine from 55 years ago sold the family home after her adult son died of cancer last year and moved to another state to be near her other son and his family, with the help of family and friends, especially friends of her sons. She drove a big U-Haul across the southeast through Atlanta after the hurricane and finally arrived two days ago. Last night, she posted a peaceful twilight video from her screened-in porch, full of peaceful birdsongs. I sent your post to her early this morning as evidence that she had found the right home.
Keep on keeping on, Matthew Quick.