“Exploring life through fiction, together.”

Desmond Tutu tells the story, in The Book of Joy, of the last time he saw his father. They were getting ready to leave when his father asked if they’d stay, as he had something to say.

"I was too tired and I was headachy and I said, 'No. Can we talk tomorrow?'"

"And, as sometimes happens only in novels, we were awoken early in the morning by my niece telling us that my father had died the previous evening. And so, I've never known what it was he wanted to tell me."

I believe life offers certain moments that shimmer past like a soap bubble on the wind. Sometimes, you can spot them and grab them. Sometimes, they slip past unnoticed. Often, I watch and I wait. By the time I spring into action, they have popped and my chance is gone.

Fiction Bite - All trees fall in the end

We walked and talked about beekeeping. We walked and talked about gardening. Sometimes we laughed. There were many silences as we ambled beneath the ancient trees. They didn’t mind; they were used to the quiet. We didn’t either. 

I didn’t ask how you were. You didn’t offer. The trees held that for us as we nattered about nothing. You looked sad when we parted. I shuffled from foot to foot, aching to reach across the chasm and pull you into my arms. But you said goodbye and walked away.

I wish it surprised me when they called me. And I’m sorry. My embrace couldn’t stretch far enough.

Quote of the Week

"None of us actually ever knows when it is going to be that moment when something quite crucial might in fact be going to happen and we turn our back on it." — Desmond Tutu

Book of the month

The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This collection of short stories is magnificent. They grab you and drag you out of yourself and shove you into many varied perspectives. Each story rings with truth. Each story is distinct from the last. Her writing impressed and entranced me. 

Hat tip to the wonderful Zoë for the recommendation.

Final Words

I missed a small one last week. We were driving beneath an orange-hued, sunset-lit sky when we spotted a hot-air balloon drifting over the fields. Our daughter was entranced. I was explaining how they flew when I spotted a lay-by with a great view of the balloon. We still had a long drive, and our son was asleep, so I cruised past, but the moment the balloon dropped out of my mirrors, I knew it had been the wrong call. I can’t say what we missed, but I felt it would have been special.

Sometimes I spot them in the moment. More often, the sound of them bursting snaps into my attention. Then there are the others, the unseen. How many have drifted past that I’ve never noticed?

What moments have you caught that have changed your life? Are there any you missed that you wish you could do again? How can you practise seeing these inflection points better? Would you be willing to hit reply? It’d make my day to hear from you.

With Love,

Josiah

If you enjoy these emails, would you share them with a friend? Or they can subscribe here.