Comments | talkstocoyotes: Gift of Exile

talkstocoyotes

Gift of Exile - Chapter 10

Oct 05, 2006 11:54

Ennis never knew how much time had passed before he half-awoke, but thought afterward that it must not have been long. It seemed to be first light, the territory between dark and dawn when the sky and landscape are still a pale blue-gray and shadows nonexistent but shapes and differences of light and dark colors are clear. He could not hear the ( Read more... )

Comments 8

ky77ccl October 8 2006, 17:27:22 UTC

Lordy, that was a sad chapter...

Especially this line: "Well, when all’s said an’ done I did settle for beans and that was a mistake. Don’t you do it now."

Jack gave Ennis some powerful instructions though...

kaisenji December 11 2006, 00:24:04 UTC

I'll drink to that one. yep.

talkstocoyotes December 11 2006, 16:04:10 UTC

Glad you kept reading!

louisev December 13 2006, 02:29:58 UTC

Ow wow. Finally some real spirituality!

"Sacred is as sacred does, bud. You think those shirts are special ‘cause one a Santa’s elves sprinkled some magic dust on ‘em when they were bein’ made? They’re special because I kept ‘em all those years, away from where anybody but Mama could see ‘em, and the same with that church where we said the vows. It’s a special place ‘cause the people there believe it is.

Yes ma'am.

And Jack's exhortation to Ennis to get out and live - this is what those who love us really want us to do - but ol' Ennis had to hear it from the horse's mouth, as it were. An excellent message.

talkstocoyotes December 13 2006, 02:42:45 UTC

Ow wow. Finally some real spirituality!
"Sacred is as sacred does, bud. You think those shirts are special ‘cause one a Santa’s elves sprinkled some magic dust on ‘em when they were bein’ made? They’re special because I kept ‘em all those years, away from where anybody but Mama could see ‘em, and the same with that church where we said the vows. It’s a special place ‘cause the people there believe it is."

Yeah, Jack the Religious Existentialist!

And yes, remaining in a lifelong funk after a loved person's transition isn't a good way to honor the relationship. As a married woman, I'd like to think that if I die before my husband he'd be able to use the best parts of our marriage to build a life with someone else if he meets her. Can't fathom how people who insist that widows and widowers grieve forever think that's a credit to anyone.

under_wyo_skies February 10 2007, 22:40:27 UTC

My uncle died quite young and my aunt was absolutely heartbroken, and part of her grieving process was to find company in other men - and I mean company, not being euphemistic there - something which my father found totally abhorrent. He was a total bastard to my aunt (well, he is a bastard anyway, but was even moreso) for many years until his own wife died and he, too, found the only way to go on was to meet other ladies and find companionship.

Anyone with a heart must understand that to be alone "on the grieving plain" is no way for anyone to live, and also that to find someone else that you can live your life with is no insult to the beloved person that you lost, no matter how much you love them.

My heart feels gripped tight reading this chapter and I know the next will be intense too...here they are at last...and yet, what is it really other than a breeze blowing a gentle breath across Ennis's face? Heartbreaking.

Beautiful happy2read January 16 2007, 05:20:02 UTC

This chapter captured both the inevitable play between love, joy, and regret. Thank you.

big_heart_june January 20 2007, 13:43:00 UTC

You and me’s forever. But we can only be together when we’re both on the same side. As long as I’m on one side and you’re on another, you’re a widower. You ain’t gonna be cheatin’ on me livin’ a sweet life with somebody who cares about you and needs you, an’ if that’s what you want.

Oh man, thank you for this and for this whole incredibly beautiful chaper. You are amazing.