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Well, I’m crying now. Some promises, some commitments -- they are too costly to keep. We can’t blame ourselves for what we didn’t know about that, when we were younger. I love the idea of going forward with this notion of a vow as signaling a willingness to carry out daily acts of devotion. And, I think paying close attention to the small acts of devotion we get to receive -- a held hand, a smoothed sheet -- is also a deep form of wisdom.

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You so perfectly summed up the essence of this experience in just a few lines. The cherishing small things is hard-earned wisdom, but I guess that’s the only way to learn it sometimes. Thanks for this.

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So so so good. Getting remarried was even scarier than getting divorced. But my guy also showed me I can let myself be taken care of. It’s the risks we take in life that make it sweet!

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Oh yes, I can very much imagine it would be. One is leaving something you know for certain isn’t working. The other is hoping that this experience will work out different. It is heartening to hear that it has!

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Another beautiful piece, Liz! I love this concept of devotion as daily efforts towards our vows, rather than letting them be “just words, along with a big party and a piece of paper.” It’s a beautiful reminder.

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Thanks Liz!

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This piece set off so many memories for me Liz when I was discovering what tenderness had been missing from my imploded long term relationship. I spent a long time wondering how I could of accepted so little but like you say “I didn’t know such quiet tenderness was possible, and you can’t blame yourself for what you didn’t know.”

I didn’t know and finding out was initially painful but mostly delicious!

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Yes, this, wondering how I could have accepted so little. That feeling is very fresh at the moment, like each new tenderness carries a hidden heartache of the contrast with the past. Hopefully over time it will be less heartache and more delicious!

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