Thursday, March 12, 2009

Late Fragment

And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth.

Raymond Carver


I came across this beautiful poem just last night – and it had a profound effect as to how I view the world right now.

I do feel myself beloved on earth. I needn’t wait until the end of my life to look back and realize this. I’m aware of it now – and have always been aware of it.

During this crazy economic time – with its accompanying fears, sense of panic and loss – take a moment to remind yourself what is important in life.

If you measure your life in terms of possessions and the accumulation of wealth, then, yes, you may have suffered (or will suffer) a terrible loss. You are vulnerable.

If you measure your life in terms of love given, received and felt (if you can call yourself beloved on earth) then stock market fluctuations and a recession and/or depression cannot touch that precious sense of security. You may still experience a frightening financial loss but you will not endure that loss on your own.

I grew up in a family that knew its share of loss and that had very little money for any sort of luxuries. Perhaps I will return to that sort of life. And that’s okay. I was happy and loved. I always will be.

14 comments:

Attila the Mom said...

Yes you will!

megan said...

Nail on the head, sista friend....nail on the head. You are, and always will be.

Sherry said...

I love what I've learned here today...and thank you for that ♥

The Bodhi Chicklet said...

Lucky guy, that Raymond Carver. That and he had quite a way with words. When we peel the onion layers back, I guess that is what we can all hope for.

Maggie May said...

I absolutely love that poem.

Bee said...

Those wonderful words remind me of something that Dick wrote a few days ago . . . (I have been catching up his blog, just as I have been catching up with yours!).

Perhaps the era of pretentiousness and worship of material things has been knocked back permanently? (Or is that too much to hope for?)

Anonymous said...

I love this post, love the quote and love how much you know you are loved. When it comes down to it, love is what matters most.
XXXXX

P.S. Forget what I said, I'm totally with you on a diss on an 89 year old. Awful.

Beth said...

attila:
As will you, my brave, funny friend.

megan:
Nails, hammers, heads... Ted! Eric!
Ah, family love...

sherry lee:
And my thanks for all you've taught me.

the bodhi chicklet:
And you've got it now - with that precious little guy.

maggie may:
Short and with a powerful message.

bee:
For many, I think it has.
For some, I don't that kind of thing will ever change.

cheryl:
Love will certainly get you through some rough times - which is something you know very well. :)

oreneta said...

Here here.

The Bodhi Chicklet said...

I'm glad you are enjoying the tag questions. I am finding them very thought provoking. And thanks for the suggestion about bravery can mean just getting through the day. Perhaps I am a brave soul after all...

Angel said...

wow beth. this slapped me in the face HARD.

I too, grew up without alot of "things" but looking back on it now...I had alot. I always felt that my mom didn't love me, but now that shes gone, I can see that she did. Sure, she left me, but she always made sure my grandma would take me in. she always made sure that I had somewhere to go and someone to go to.

Thanks BethXOXOX

Beth said...

oreneta:
May your "luck" continue - and if it doesn't? You know what you have and what really counts.

the bhodi chicklet:
From what I see and read, I think you are... :)

beth:
Yeah, looking back helped me appreciate and understand the "all" in "having it all."

JR's Thumbprints said...

Nicely put. And timely. I'm doing my spring cleaning, getting rid of things.

Anonymous said...

Yup! What more needs to be said? When it comes to this subject, you're the Warren Buffett of loving relationships.