My July Newsletter
My July newsletter was originally intended to be a June one, as you’ll see.
Plenty of news here, both reflecting on the last couple of months and looking ahead to the rest of the year and into next year as well: awards, publication news, and more. But sadly, not all of the news is good—highpoints and a low one in equal measure.
The full newsletter is here. Thanks so much for reading.
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I've been meaning to respond here, but time's gotten away from me. Thanks so much for the perspectives and for the kind words and the good thoughts and the reassurances my way. So much appreciate on all counts. Yours,
Art
We are the progeny of ambitious dreamers, perhaps simultaneously indulged and ignored. We lived in fine homes and wore fine clothes and attended fine schools. Yet, I wondered, am I enough? Was I the only one with empty spots and self-doubt? I suspect not.
Dad is a common theme in your (very damned good!) writing. Let me rephrase: The son in search of approval makes frequent appearances, but I don't worry so much about him. Instead, I hear a son bearing witness to another life, its successes, shortcomings, disapproval, and neediness. Warts and all, you know.
Therein lies meaning, an existential cycle complete. Carl Jung wrote of our shadow selves--those ugly parts that we reject, those shaming pieces that we hide in dark corners. It is when we own and integrate them that we are free to become our authentic selves. Who but the most intimate observers to our lives can facilitate that ownership and purge the doubt?
I have taken a very long time to make the point that your body of work, while cathartic for you, was a gift that I hope Gene recognized. I know that he was proud.
Oh, and one more thing: You are enough.