Full circle, how fitting! I watched it after recently stumbling upon this quote from the director:
“At a meeting just outside Paris, a fifteen-year-old girl came up to me and said that she'd been to see The Double Life of Véronique. She'd gone once, twice, three times and only wanted to say one thing really — that she realized that there is such a thing as a soul. She hadn't known before, but now she knew that the soul does exist. There's something very beautiful in that. It was worth making Véronique for that girl. It was worth working for a year, sacrificing all that money, energy, time, patience, torturing yourself, killing yourself, taking thousands of decisions, so that one young girl in Paris should realize that there is such a thing as a soul. It's worth it.”
“There are two kinds of people in the world,” Dear Abby once wrote. “Those who walk into a room and say, ‘There you are’ and those who say ‘Here I am.’”
Wow, your writing always spears through my chest to that thing we call a heart that lets me know when something is real. But this one tugged hard enough to tear me up. Thank you for your powerful words, and even more powerful thoughtfulness.
Deeply poignant! Brilliant writing. I have just become a great aunt to two fraternal twins. They are very distinct and look like little old men! In my own life - filled with joy and sorrow- I often imagine my parallel universe twin having a better time than me ( never worse). But in my imagination the "twin" is just another part of myself so I enjoy this better experience! Thanks for this!!
That's a very wise and hopeful way to look at the world (or worlds). It's wonderful to hear about the new set of twins in your family. Congratulations! May their lives be filled with more joy than sorrow.
I read this in the morning, and it's still hovering upon me, moonlike. Especially the line: "My twin has got everything, I think bitterly, and all I’ve got is writing."
I'm not surprised that line stuck with you, since you are a writer yourself. But, of course, us writers have something our imaginary twins will never have: a long-distance connection with readers. Thanks for being one of mine.
Really interesting. My twin sister is the one who told me about the Lunar Dispatch. She’s the writer. I’m the moon lover. I sometimes have told myself I’m a writer in my head, but I don’t write. For the personality test, I could see myself choosing to go and I could also see myself choosing to stay, I don’t feel so clear cut about what I would do. But if I had to guess, if the option was presented to us, I’m guessing I would be the one to go. Although we are identical, we have a lot of differences. But what I find comforting is that no matter how many different interests we have, at the core we seem to be very like minded, our values and perspectives seem to line up in a way that makes it very easy to communicate and understand one another. I’m always trying to put myself in other people’s shoes, and it can be really challenging with some people when you don’t understand where they’re coming from, but with her I feel like we understand effortlessly.
I'm so glad to have both you and your sister aboard this newsletter. It's very thought-provoking, what you've written here. I'm glad there's someone in your life with whom you share an effortless understanding. What a gift.
Parallel Universe Will is not part of my world (nor is he part of Parallel Universe Teresa’s world because she does not enjoy reading), but YOU, Will, ARE part of my world because I simply enjoy your writings.
So, this is me walking up to evil wolf you and slapping the red meat from your mouth... “not today”... I say, as I smugly turn and walk away- devouring that red meat.
My evil wolf takes what she wants; what she wants is for you to keep writing.
Interesting. Emotional. Futuristic.
Always love the way you interweave topics.
“It’s a paradox—to find so much joy in penning your own suicide note that you change your mind about the whole thing”
This line hit a totally different chord. 🔥
Happy New Year WD!!
Thanks so much, Satya. A happy New Year to you, too!
This felt like a synchronous read having just watched The Double Life of Veronique. Beautiful film — and beautiful writing here.
And now I'll have the reverse synchronicity by watching The Double Life of Veronique—thank you for the tip. Love your writing.
Full circle, how fitting! I watched it after recently stumbling upon this quote from the director:
“At a meeting just outside Paris, a fifteen-year-old girl came up to me and said that she'd been to see The Double Life of Véronique. She'd gone once, twice, three times and only wanted to say one thing really — that she realized that there is such a thing as a soul. She hadn't known before, but now she knew that the soul does exist. There's something very beautiful in that. It was worth making Véronique for that girl. It was worth working for a year, sacrificing all that money, energy, time, patience, torturing yourself, killing yourself, taking thousands of decisions, so that one young girl in Paris should realize that there is such a thing as a soul. It's worth it.”
Terrific -- I really enjoyed your beautifully written, wry and wise piece -- a lot to think about.
Thank you, Jolene, for reading and commenting. I appreciate your words.
An interesting and fun read, as always.
Thank you, Joan. And happy New Year!
“There are two kinds of people in the world,” Dear Abby once wrote. “Those who walk into a room and say, ‘There you are’ and those who say ‘Here I am.’”
This alone can change a person.
I shall howl this full moon night.
Howl away!
Wow, your writing always spears through my chest to that thing we call a heart that lets me know when something is real. But this one tugged hard enough to tear me up. Thank you for your powerful words, and even more powerful thoughtfulness.
And now you've speared my chest. Thank you.
Deeply poignant! Brilliant writing. I have just become a great aunt to two fraternal twins. They are very distinct and look like little old men! In my own life - filled with joy and sorrow- I often imagine my parallel universe twin having a better time than me ( never worse). But in my imagination the "twin" is just another part of myself so I enjoy this better experience! Thanks for this!!
That's a very wise and hopeful way to look at the world (or worlds). It's wonderful to hear about the new set of twins in your family. Congratulations! May their lives be filled with more joy than sorrow.
I read this in the morning, and it's still hovering upon me, moonlike. Especially the line: "My twin has got everything, I think bitterly, and all I’ve got is writing."
I'm not surprised that line stuck with you, since you are a writer yourself. But, of course, us writers have something our imaginary twins will never have: a long-distance connection with readers. Thanks for being one of mine.
Really interesting. My twin sister is the one who told me about the Lunar Dispatch. She’s the writer. I’m the moon lover. I sometimes have told myself I’m a writer in my head, but I don’t write. For the personality test, I could see myself choosing to go and I could also see myself choosing to stay, I don’t feel so clear cut about what I would do. But if I had to guess, if the option was presented to us, I’m guessing I would be the one to go. Although we are identical, we have a lot of differences. But what I find comforting is that no matter how many different interests we have, at the core we seem to be very like minded, our values and perspectives seem to line up in a way that makes it very easy to communicate and understand one another. I’m always trying to put myself in other people’s shoes, and it can be really challenging with some people when you don’t understand where they’re coming from, but with her I feel like we understand effortlessly.
I'm so glad to have both you and your sister aboard this newsletter. It's very thought-provoking, what you've written here. I'm glad there's someone in your life with whom you share an effortless understanding. What a gift.
I was howling over the moon 🌝
Interesting perspective.
Thanks 🙏❤️
I think I heard you! Be well.
Parallel Universe Will is not part of my world (nor is he part of Parallel Universe Teresa’s world because she does not enjoy reading), but YOU, Will, ARE part of my world because I simply enjoy your writings.
So, this is me walking up to evil wolf you and slapping the red meat from your mouth... “not today”... I say, as I smugly turn and walk away- devouring that red meat.
My evil wolf takes what she wants; what she wants is for you to keep writing.
Great story, I liked it! 🙂
Ha! Love this message. See you on the next full moon.