There have been few occasions to get out of town these past years, though I was thrilled when it was possible – especially if I could escape to Paris for anything related to art or writing.
But money was tight, my sons were still young, and the logistics were sticky. I needed a friend to whom I could trust my children, in order to pursue any such opportunities.
Leaving those dearest to us in good hands is not a given – without family, without a co-parent, without a partner in the picture. I had few options, but was fortunate that one good woman stepped in.
She may never fully realize, but at critical junctures, she held my world in her capable hands.
The Trouble With Time
Time is the scarce resource that eludes me, that unnerves me in its contradictory powers, that maddens me in its propensity to slip through my fingers. Despite rhythms I am accustomed to, the days are insufficiently long for what I set out to do, in a schedule I know to be unforgiving.
Like many of you, I rely on checklists and shortcuts, nights of abbreviated sleep, and my caffeine concoction of choice as I focus my energies on the day’s priorities.
Still, the hours disappear and what remains is the race, the juggle, the chase after dreams and adherence to responsibilities. Along with these – the persistent, painful reality of a shortage of reading time.
Reading is essential to what I do – online and offline. Moreover, reading is a pleasure, a reward, and a respite. When I read, I want to feel that I’m in good hands. When you read here, I hope you feel the same.
Whatever Life Dishes Out? Certainly, Evolution
Four years ago today I began this adventure as Big Little Wolf, a nickname, which allowed me anonymity. From Big Little Wolf’s Daily Plate of Crazy – quite a mouthful, isn’t it? – this musing ground began to gain more attention. That meant more pressure to perform, of course (let’s be real; I’m very Type A), and also to slowly drop the prefix as one thing became irrefutably clear: making sense of our crazy world is a challenge we all face, however different the face of our challenges.
As I shed my hiding bit by bit, frankly uncomfortable with doing so, I have nonetheless sensed that I’m in good hands – yours – as you join the conversation, as you describe lessons from your own lives, as we come to know each other behind the scenes, and I recognize my trust in you to be well-founded.
That isn’t a given – in life – or online.
Four Year Education: Reading, Writing, and Learning
Four years ago I watched my firstborn graduate from high school, and a few months later I put him on a plane for a Big College Town. I had no funds to accompany him; the first time I set foot on his campus was last month. As it was, I felt grateful for his scholarship and loans, and like many single parents, I long ago accepted certain compromises.
It’s difficult to believe that only two weeks back I sat in a windy stadium as he, along with several thousand other students, stood proudly at the conferring of his degree.
Daily Plate of Crazy, to some extent, has known a parallel period of education – four years of meeting new “kids” at the beginning of each semester, a regular stream of additional skills to master – at times as grueling as any middle-of-the-night homework – and those bleary-eyed mornings struggling to pump out meaningful words.
Good Words, Many Thanks
These four years later, like my graduating son, I feel a sense of belonging to a community with remarkable reach, tremendous heart, and a diverse group of both readers and writers.
Not incidentally, some of those readers and writers were kind enough to offer a few words of praise for Daily Plate of Crazy, and I’m touched by their willingness to do so.
It’s my hope that in reading their words, you will note their sites, their articles, their books, and their blogs. They are profoundly thoughtful, naturally funny, remarkably generous, and exceptionally talented. I’ve been reading some of these individuals for years, while others are relatively recent acquaintances.
When you visit them, you will know that you’re in good hands.
Time Flies? Not Exactly
Looking back, I won’t say these years have flown. They haven’t. There have been storms (large and small), scares (of various sorts), disappointments (naturally), and awareness of my own constraints. Knowing you were there, even in a virtual world, has helped.
Looking back, little has changed. Looking back, much has changed. Some pressures remain stubbornly present, yet good surprises were in store, and I hope with more to come.
This is a life like any other. This is my life, to a some extent. This is more than my life, as I use experience only as a starting point. This may be all our lives and our most intimate bond: the inevitability of ups and downs, periods of falling and getting back up, times to reflect and appreciate.
Among those surprises: I find my heart is also in good hands.
Read and Share!
I’m pleased when you drop by to read, when you take time to comment, when you share your stories and we exchange ideas. I’m not the only one who’s busy and I know it! That you take your time means the world to me, and so my thanks for continuing to visit and share Daily Plate of Crazy ™ – as we evolve, expand, and see what happens next.
Those fine thinkers and writers I mention? You may find many here.
To Cathy, Stacy, Delia, Wolf, Dorothy – whose good words mean so much – you inspire me. And to old friends and new – Kristen, Justine, Gale, W Q Belle, Tish, Bruce, Dana, Team Gloria, Heather, Paul, Andrea, Rudri, Cecilia, Chloe, Anna Elizabeth – you continue to impress, to instruct, and to share your stories for the benefit of others.
Today, I’m feeling grateful for your participation and support, and pleased as punch to be adding contributors to bring more viewpoints than I alone could possibly provide, so you may feel at ease in additional good hands.
And now a little gift to myself. I’m going to settle into a comfy chair and read – with my good man, my strong coffee, and the Sunday Times.
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Nicely done! It is nice to have a sense of community–in any venture. Particularly for those of us who go it alone.
So right, Walker. The community is what I never anticipated, and it’s been an incredible ongoing experience.
This is quite a wonderful, inspiring community you’ve fostered via DPOC. I love reading, writing, and commenting here! Like you, I wish I had even more time to do so, as I could get lost for hours here reading posts and comments etc. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for all of us as we share our lives and connect with so many brilliant, diverse people & perspectives! Thank you BLW!!
Congrats on your four year mark! I also am enjoying the community and new friends made through blogging. You are such a good writer…honestly, I would rather read your reviews of MAD MEN than watch the show. You give it more life than it has on screen (sorry fans, I just find it a little too depressing). But your synopsis, I read every week. Someone asked me yesterday if blogging had surprised me in any way…each day is a total surprise, and that is what I love about it. Keep doing your great work…I also love the same type of Sunday morning as you!
After racking my brains to come up with something profound and pithy to say, I decided to fall back on an old standard.
Woo-hoo!!! *fist pump*
I love a good fist pump. Thanks, Mr. Belle!
LOVE visiting here and reading your point of view…WISH I could find more time to read and comment, let alone keep up with my blog. A magic wand would give me 4-5 hours daily in front of my computer, UNINTERUPTED. I am truly grateful for how much I learn from you, who continues to inspire me so. Felicitations pour les 4 ANS!!!
The biggest consequence of your efforts is the building of a community of people who value being deliberately, consciously, human. Although I worry about the toll on your personal life and condition, you are providing a real service.
Robert, You are most kind. I admit to pushing the envelope on a regular basis when it comes to my schedule and priorities, but this is very much a labor of love. What is given to me is far more than I can express.
Thank you very much for the site. I read three newspapers, international headlines, and your blog each day. Not much time for other non work related reading. I have learned many things from this blog and the responses. There is no agenda and noting is “canned.” I hope it continues a long time and ends up your retirement fund….okay so I will settle for continues.
Hooray! A heart-felt congratulations on this four year mark. No one works harder than you do. No one. And we are all the richer for it. You inspire me to be more honest in my own work and life. Merci, tellement et felicitations…
xo,
Heather
It’s been so nice getting to know you bit by bit, post by post, encounter by encounter, BLW.
“In good hands” is a good way to put it (how you feel about your association and friendships with other bloggers). I feel that way too – and I’ve been at it for a little over 2 years now. Congratulations on making it four years – we’re the richer for the reading and association.
Thank you for the mention, BLW! I am honored to be named among such great writers, many of whom I follow and admire as well. Like you, I love this community of bloggers, knowing that when I expose my fears and vulnerabilities to this part of the Web, I have many who are there to hold my hand, to let me know that I’m not alone.
Lately however, I’m in the middle of a work-life maelstrom, trying to meet deadlines, spend time with my family, get the housework done, etc., which has left me little time to write for pleasure, let alone read. This explains why it took me forever to get to this wonderful post, and it’s such a shame because I miss reading and writing, and I also know that to be better, I need to read and immerse myself in good writing (like coming here more!). Yet, that’s always the first thing that falls off my list when things get crazy.
I am grateful to you, as well as my girls, for inspiring me to keep at it and to hold on to this passion. It’s so easy to just give up and walk away, but then I will miss you and Kitch and Cecilia and Stacia and Kristen, and so many other beautiful voices (and faces too!) out there.
Thank you for all that you put into DPOC and congratulations on having done that for four years! I have been a subscriber for just a few months and am very glad to have found you and to have become part of your blog community. Best regards, Leslie
Thank you, Leslie, for the good words. So happy you’re here.
I’m so glad you’re sharing a bit more of yourself as this process evolves. You are an amazing woman and we’re all lucky to have met you.
Lisa, You’re most kind. (And you know how much more comfortable I am behind the computer screen… Then again, I need more opps to wear my hot heels. ;))
Wolf,
My apologies for coming late to the conversation. I wanted to thank you for enriching my world with your words and insights. The dialogue that appears in the comments often helps me reshape and refine my own thoughts.
It is an honor to be a part of the great list of writers that you mentioned. And I am forever grateful to call you friend. Thank you. xoxo