Tags
essays, Family, late migrations, life, margaret renkl, Mary Oliver, nature, Parnassus
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major was mentioned in an essay about a dying English teacher and so I pulled it up on YouTube and listened as I read, impressed by the teacher’s passion and dedication. I finished the book at the very moment Concerto No. 2 came to a close- a perfectly formulated ending to a book so beautiful that I debated not writing about it. There is absolutely nothing I can say, nothing you can read on this blog, that can properly provide evidence to support the fact that this book is absolute perfection.
I have always believed that experiencing loss causes one to fully embrace life. Those around you who seem to have the most joy, have likely encountered deep pain. That is what makes you go big or go home, take risks, live fully, love deeply, and breathe it all in. It may also be what frequently gets me labeled “old soul”. Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl was written by a woman who approaches life from an incredible perspective that takes into account the fullness of life.
The cycle of life might as well be called the cycle of death…
The chapters alternate between family stories and retreats into nature, with deep connection between the two. If you were touched by Mary Oliver’s Upstream, I think you’ll find value in this one too!