What do we need to know about a person in order to like them? Before she wrapped her leftover buttered toast inside a paper napkin, I didn’t know whether I liked her or not. Then, when she wrapped up her toast in the napkin, I suddenly loved her. Before she wrapped up her toast, she had been making an effort to show herself to be a sophisticated and an impressive young editor from a respected magazine. Then, when she did that, the performance dropped; not only was she underpaid, the gesture said, but she really liked toast. She liked toast even more than she liked being admired.
~ Sheila Heti, Motherhood: A Novel (Henry Holt and Co., May 1, 2018)
Portrait: Sheila Heti
I love it!
Thanks Marlan. Me too….
Oh, to write like that…
Exactly.
what a beautiful expression… I loved it too, sometimes details hit us more…. Thank you, Love, nia
Yes. Exactly Nia. Thanks.
the real person revealed. human connection
Yes.
So beautiful…
It is….
Nothing more delightful than the ruminations of a keen observer. This is wonderful, pal, and not for nothing, but it made me think of your writing. You have a wonderful way of watching and describing the world around you, noting behaviors or sartorial details that help to tell a story….
Awwww. Thank you Lori
I could not agree more, Lori!
Lori, you took the words out of my mouth – I had the feeling I should read the comments before giving my thoughts away (on the reader only where one can’t see the comments!). I am glad I did that – because we are truly on the same wavelength! 😉
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
It’s always best to reserve a decision until more information is known … being oneself if better than being fake!!
And that is why I have a ziplock bag in my handbag …. 😉
Ha!
The little things…
Words. 😀
Little things can say a lot.
Don’t they though.
I would love to have learned to be an expert in interpreting body language. I know it’s not exactly the same as what you’re saying in this post, but little actions say a lot and people’s facial expressions and movements of head, arms, legs, hands – they all send non-verbal messages. I find it a fascinating subject.
Me too Anneli
sometimes people say when they are done or finished beyond a reasonable foreseeable future ” i’m toast”
Love that! Smiling.
To see authenticity in a world where everyone is pretending, is a gift. Beautiful writing
Really is.
My mother always wrapped up the toast and took it. Not for herself, but for the birds and squirrels. Her heart was big and kind. How I miss that little gesture, and her.
What a wonderful memory. Thanks for sharing Lee.