Their experiences in the world are involvingly varied: one was a nurse in Colombia, another an orchid keeper in Vietnam. But as I prompt them with questions to write about, I feel repeatedly surprised by how alike their answers sound.
What do you miss from your past?
The warmth of home, the smell of grandmother’s cooking.
What is life like in the present?
Confusing. Lonely.
What surprises you about Denver?
People sleeping on the streets. In my country they’d be with family.
When you picture your future, what do you hope?
Safe children. To feel at home. To live my dreams.
— John Cotter, Losing Music: A Memoir (Milkweed Editions, April 11, 2023)
Notes:
- Post Title & Inspiration: Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.
Live & Learn 
❤️
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Taking the Proust questionnaire and drilling down to the most important questions and answers
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Yes….
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“What do you miss from your past?” Was I really that open sweet and thoughtful? going way back… So, I appreciate that I can appreciate something positive.
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Exactly.
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What was the setting? Is this a writing class ?
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Are you baiting me? I’m not taking the bait!
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David, relax!
I’m genuinely curious.
In what setting is he giving them a writing prompt?
Is it a writing class?
Also, Jeez, am I this bad???
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Yes. You are that bad. No, it was not a writing prompt. I don’t dare spill the plot.
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im not
be nice, k?
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This is an amazing Post. I would like to have followed him wherever he was asking the questions. Time to get the book!
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These questions aren’t reflective of the style of the rest of the book but I’m enjoying it anyway!
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Simple things
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Right!
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