Who I am.

I write about the landscape of grief, nature, and the wisdom of fools. The author of four books, my essays, poems, and reviews have been published in over 50 journals, including in the Huffington Post and Colorado Review. I’ve won the River Teeth Nonfiction Book Award, the Chautauqua and Literal Latte’s essay prizes, and my work has been nominated for four Pushcart Prizes and named a notable by Best American Essays. My account of hiking in Yosemite to deal with my wife’s death, Mountains of Light, was published by the University of Nebraska Press. http://www.markliebenow.com.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Artifacts Left Behind: Molly


A Painting and a Pottery Bowl

When a loved one dies, possessions are left behind that we have to decide to toss or keep. While many possessions hold fond memories, some do not. But there are a few possessions that hold special meaning, are symbolic of an important event, or summarize the person’s spirit.

One pottery bowl in particular reminds me of Evelyn’s search for wholeness.

* If you would like to read the rest of this post, let me know and I’ll send it to you. *

2 comments:

  1. Your words are beautiful, as always. I love the image of the moorless ocean of grief. And words scraped from the dry canyons abandoned in your heart. Beautiful. I know how it is to become attached to something that symbolised birth or rebirth of your loved one. I have a framed photo on my shrine of Green Tara--she is the bodhisattva of compassion and is said to have risen on a lotus from a lake of Avalokitesvara's tears. My husband loved Green Tara and this picture was his. I think of him and his compassion and spirituality every time I see that photo. So I think it is beautiful that you have this little bowl to remember your Evelyn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Compassion rising from our tears. Beautiful! Thank you.

      Delete