last night
i finally got out.
a talk to a group of writers.
they thought i would cancel, so they tried to cancel,
and then backtracked and uncancelled.
it snowed yesterday too.
the kind of snow that looks fake,
that you can blow right off your windshield
just by breathing.
what i want to say is that i didn’t expect
anyone to be there.
that i would talk to an empty room
and go home.
50 people showed up
and packed the house.
and only 2 of them knew me.
a gift.
a room (sans 2) full of nothing.
nobody who knew about the cancer
nobody who knew anything at all.
nobody who would question why i was up there
talking about stories while avoiding
the biggest story of my life.
thank you for this.
1 Comment
February 2, 2007 at 1:37 am
Dear Dan
You don’t know me but Martha is a dear friend of mine and she shared your story with me yesterday. Actually, I think I had the pleasure of meeting you one time at the University. I just wanted to tell you how absolutely beautiful this website is, coupled with your incredible writing. I am so moved. Please know I will be saying/praying/sending healing thoughts for your wife and surely for your strength as you battle this battle with her. I am convinced this world is filled with extraordinary people like you and your family…it is what it takes to make life worth living. Mary Barry