REPOSTED FROM VOX Aug 14, 2006 at 9:08 PM
“There are two kinds of people,” she once decreed to me emphatically. “One kind, you can tell just by looking at them at what point they congealed into their final selves. It might be a very nice self, but you know you can expect no more surprises from it. Whereas, the other kind keep moving, changing. With these people, you can never say, ‘X stops here,’ or, ‘Now I know all there is to know about Y.’ That doesn’t mean they’re unstable. Ah, no, far from it. They are fluid. They keep moving forward and making new trysts with life, and the motion of it keeps them young. In my opinion, they are the only people who are still alive. You must be constantly on your guard, Justin, against congealing. Don’t be lulled by your youth. Though middle age is the traditional danger point, I suspect that many a fourteen-year-old has congealed during the long history of this world. If you ever feel it coming, you must do something quickly. . . .” GAIL GODWIN, THE FINISHING SCHOOL
Hi! Welcome to typepad!
THe new blog looks awesome.
Have you read America’s Women by Gail Collins? I just did, could not put it down. It was absolutely amazing and I kept thinking how much you would love it.
You are such a great friend – when you have done so very much through your blog to help others – to bother with my launch. It’s the same spirit that makes you so effective as a change agent. People should visit both of your blogs – Been There Clearning House http://beenthereclearinghouse.com/ and The Motherhood http://www.themotherhood.net/. They are intense evidence of the wonder that is Cooper.
Jane Howard had a similar caution when she advised a young admirer not to gellify–keep moving or as I say keep vavavabooming. At http://www.vaboomer.com there is advice, support and role models for boomers in reFIREment. Boomers becoming boomerangers are the epitomy of Godwin’s and Howard’s sentiments!
Wow Virginia! Thanks for this. Isn’t it amazing that it’s women who think these things. No accident say I.