I’m thinking about my partner’s gentleness. I can be insular, pessimistic, and withdrawn. The more I see and admire the patience, purity, and openness of my partner, the more I’m softening toward all things. I’ve been allowing for goodness and possibility. And allowing myself the agency to enjoy life more fully. To make room for people. To say “no” and advocate for myself. Life is so much more tender because he shows me what’s still beautiful.
Edward W. Said, After the Last Sky. Palestinian Lives, Photographs by Jean Mohr, Random House, New York, NY, 1986 [then Columbia University Press, 1999] [Institute for Palestine Studies, Beirut. Ten Dollar Books, Newark, NJ]
