Dear Suleika, traveling alone is such a powerful thing to do. I wish you all the best things for your uncertain time, right now. My love and I sometimes think we have gotten used to it, in the last 15 years with a rare disease, but it can feel dreadful and joyful many times. It reminds me of something Martha Beck spoke about on her podcast 'caught between hope and fear' . Both in hope and fear you're standing on a rickety ladder, either climbing up or down. It's better to stand with both feet in the now, and find the most joyful, loving spot as possible.
My trailblazer was my godmother, who was in the resistance in WW2 as a young woman, got captured together with her fiancee, atrocious things were done to her, her beloved died in concentration camp, but she remained a fierce, loving and joyful woman all her life. She never married, but had many friends. She died in my arms nine years ago. Surrounded by people who loved her.
So beautiful! I especially love the line “It’s better to stand with both feet in the now, and find the most joyful, loving spot as possible.” Yes! This is how I strive to live everyday!
What a delight to awaken at dawn, make my cuppa Joe, open my phone and find your new post. Your courage, and of course Tom’s, are incomparable. Very few of us could challenge the very core of ourselves in such extraordinary ways. After everything that you’ve been through, looking death in the face, I can hardly think of taking on such a long solo road trip. You are a brilliant light in this world, my dear. There is no one else like you.
I am also challenging myself. I just turned 80 and have planned a number of solo adventures. I am off to Asia for the first time next month, by land, air and sea. In the spring, I am taking a ship from Fort Lauderdale to Seattle, where my son, daughter-in-law and little grandchildren live; rather a circuitous route. Underlying my adventures is a certain amount of fear, but I really don’t think much about all the things that can go wrong. I’m not a great sailor, but I have two kinds of Dramamine that seem to work well. I imagine you too don’t think much about what can go wrong, but rather about what beauty, friendships, mysteries, lie ahead. These lives are so temporary, why not push the pedal to the metal. On to another 🌅 sunrise💖
Dear Suzy, I am also am turning 80 and am in awe of Suleika . I have learned so much by following Suleika and probably most of all I now look at 80 in a very different light. For now , I am excited by your adventure and look forward to following you . . I guess the best way to follow you is through Substack . Are you on Instagram ? In the meantime , happy trails .
Here’s to Ramzi Abu Radwan. And to Sandy Tolan who wrote a book, “Children of the Stone”, a true story of Ramzi’s journey, so far.
In 2015 I happened upon Sandy’s book. What a delightful, inspiring story. Ramzi created a school for music in Ramallah, Palestine, for children. I read this book, wrote Ramzi to say “bravo”, what a wonderful offering to children. Ramzi wrote back, asking for examples of my own music making. This led, in 2016, to an invitation to visit Ramallah, to participate in a sacred music festival. A foundation funded my whole journey. This journey was full of music, magic, and inspiration. In one village I found myself sitting on a park bench, drinking Arabic coffee, playing a flute. A Palestinian family sat down at a table in front of me. The parents had just bought two wooden flutes for their young daughters. One by one the sisters sat next to me and we fluted together.
I felt adopted by this family.
My journey, nourished by Ramzi’s generous spirit, still inspires me. A life altering experience “as they say”. Now it is 2024. During my recent 10month study of non-violent communication, I met Rosemary, a teacher of children in a small school in Kenya. A few days ago I sent, via WhatsApp, a short video of myself playing a flute. I wished to say hello to the children in Rosemary’s school. We have begun to exchange videos. I’ve had the delight of seeing and hearing the children reciting poems.
Music. It heals, soothes, promises and creates peace. May this continue.🏮
Sukeika thank you so much for this writing today. It brings back wonderful memories of reading your book while I was myself in induction and wondering where it would all go. I know you know this but your writing has been so so so meaningful for so many. For me you've been carrying a lantern ahead in the dark that I have followed. It lights my path even now during endless post transplant complications and the enduring question I face daily, Do you want to keep going? When I read your stories I am answered. The pain and happy times are equally of value to my soul. Thank you for staying with us for a time. I am so joyful to have you, my prophet, leading onward.
Suleika…so good to read your work this morning with coffee. Getting ready for my regular Ovarian cancer scans etc. you help me believe that no matter what we go on ♥️
This: “I understood how one thing leads to the next and the next thing leads to all others. I wasn't an individual set apart in time, but a continuation of ideas; not the brush, but the paint; not self-governed, but guided by greater forces.” Wonderful!
Hello Suleika. Thank you for your words. I cried. For the beautiful gifts in your writing. The moving forward with each and every day with illness is a daily challenge for me. And I love the beauty of all here.
Thanks for this essay. I'm in my twenties and two years into serious illness that has reached an especially intense/uncertain point. Lately when I am able to read, I've been drawn to adventure and nature stories- partly for the escapism, but maybe also because something about those stories feel so relatable to where I am in illness even if from the outside I appear to barely move (the uncertainty, struggle, inner turmoil, strife, etc.). Recently I was spending time with my favorite 60 year old (a very badass 60 year old who's an epic outdoorswoman and also got sick around the same time as me) and she mentioned Steinbeck and "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". She said I could join her bookclub for their discussions if I read them. So thanks for the push towards those books- I think that's just what I needed this morning.
Thanks again, wishing anyone who reads this all the best.
Suleika, Between Two Kingdoms is how I discovered you, and I'm so grateful to "know" you, even from the distance of the Internet (and your book). I have read many books filled with other people's brave explorations, and probably live vicariously through them as I cannot travel myself, but they inspire me to push the boundaries I can. Your words encouraged me find courage in this in-between place I'm in right now. I have felt like I'm in limbo and can't move ahead until I find out about the next medical "thing," but you reminded me why that's not true and how important it is to live in the moment (again...I keep forgetting). I'm going to be pre-ordering Tom's book. I read all of Jedidiah Jenkin's parents books on their walk across America, and his book "To Shake the Sleeping Self." I'm looking forward to more.
Hi Everyone! Sending blessings. I had been a transplant from Lynn, Mass to NYC. Believe it or not this inspiration came from my Uncle John’s mistress ( and n very early days). Her name is Florence and I loved her and she loved me. Florence never judged me and I never judged her. So far at my my young age if 12, she was the most independent woman I’d ever met. I loved her spunk, independence. Although confusing to me as a little girl that Florence was my Uncle John’s mistress. I came from a tribe of angry women both dead and alive, so seeing and experiencing Florence’s kindness, love, independence, and fearlessness, she had a great impact in on me to take risks, like moving, 9 years later from Lynn, Mass to NYC. When I was with Florence and my uncle John, I never saw John so happy. Everyone was happy around Florence. Of course for Florence there was a high price to pay for being with Uncle John. Florence set me on a path to live my life for me, and I love Florence forever. Bless us all and take extra care of the risk takes.
My Younger Self...I had to be the one to physically leave each of my three "live in" relationships. This last one, my longest at 20 years, was the most difficult ever. My mantra (oh, along with my weekly therapy, meds to tamp down life long my anxiety travel companion and yoga): "I have done this before and I can do it again." My therapist, upon hearing that I finally made the jump to freedom last week called me The Bold Mover. Thank you, Younger Self, for blazing the trail.
Hello, I have been and am a solo traveler-roads are different or not at all-- it began with books. I was probably a junior in high school, working in a theater that took 3 busses to arrive. Ater the show I sat in a bar while the actors drank and then drove me home. I sometimes climbed in the window because the door was locked.
I came upon a book called The Asiatics-- and it spoke to me desire to walk around the globe-starting in Pakistan. The simple story is of a young man with no particular description and he was in Lebanon and began the travels looking for answers which of course were ambiguous -I read this book many times Andre Gide wrote the introduction -so - I found Gide-- I learned the author Frederic Proksch had not traveled at all-his imagination did-- and so I learned miles counted for nothing if eyes were closed.
And then I found Orlando --yes Virginia Woolf - and Orlando-- be as you be-- and so I continue to travel either different roads--walking the dog on Delancy--North Vietnam close to Russia--and somehow have never been drawn to cars of public transportation---still footing it.
Beloved, Suleika. Thank you for this post especially. We at 77 and 78 years old are moving to live in another country. We have our stuff around us in preparation. We have 2 dogs, Dulce and Max, 1 cat, Jesse James (and he is a bandido,) and an African Gray parrot, Habibi. They are going, too. I'm not scared. But, I've had difficulty with questions such as "why are you moving to..." and "aren't you afraid." Now I say, "because we want to." Thank you again and again.
Good Sunday, friends. Thank you, Suleika and Tom, for sharing your story today. I am in awe of the courage and determination it must have taken to fulfill these dreams. I am also touched deeply by my dear Mother, who left a teaching job in Wisconsin to build airplanes during WWII on Long Island. (Had she not, I would not be here.) My mother's courage enabled her to face down, with good humor and faith, cancer, twice. She lived as a divorcee in a strong Catholic neighborhood and held her head high, caring for my two older sister and me alone, never to remarry. My mother's life taught me to not give up. She use to say " No one said this life was suppose to be easy", and she was correct. Yet, no where does it say that because of difficulties you stop living. Or throwing the most wonderful and creative dinner parties. (Once, my mother had miniature guillotines built as place setting for a Bastille party she threw). I am so grateful for her life of courage and all day curiosity about the world. Two generations later, my daughter is blazing her own trail. Walking the Camino and now, exploring Costa Rica. Life on her own terms is the only life this brave girl is interested in living. I salute her as I sit with my latest book, The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen. Another journey all together. It may be I will never see much of the world, but the map of my heart can tell you many stories, as well.
Thank you, Suleika. She was and how she loved this life!! I want you to know how often I think of you...so blessed that your life has touched mine. Don't ever doubt how God has used you to spread joy and hope!! Have a glorious day!!!
Back in 2008, I was on a business trip that took me to Tupelo, Mississippi. I had built a couple of extra days into my schedule, thinking I’d spend them in
Memphis (about 90 minutes northwest). Hearing that I loved music, one of my hosts suggested
I explore the Mississippi Blues Trail, which was in its infancy. It takes you through the Delta, visiting places that are significant in the history of the Blues. To this Michigan girl, the scenery and the relationship of the land and the water were revelations. I only scratched the surface and I’d go back in a heart beat. https://msbluestrail.org/
Dear Suleika, traveling alone is such a powerful thing to do. I wish you all the best things for your uncertain time, right now. My love and I sometimes think we have gotten used to it, in the last 15 years with a rare disease, but it can feel dreadful and joyful many times. It reminds me of something Martha Beck spoke about on her podcast 'caught between hope and fear' . Both in hope and fear you're standing on a rickety ladder, either climbing up or down. It's better to stand with both feet in the now, and find the most joyful, loving spot as possible.
My trailblazer was my godmother, who was in the resistance in WW2 as a young woman, got captured together with her fiancee, atrocious things were done to her, her beloved died in concentration camp, but she remained a fierce, loving and joyful woman all her life. She never married, but had many friends. She died in my arms nine years ago. Surrounded by people who loved her.
Thank you, Josh, for your wisdom. ❤️
What a sentence and what a sentiment..."it's better to stand with both feet in the now, and find the most joyful, loving spot possible" ...perfect!
So beautiful! I especially love the line “It’s better to stand with both feet in the now, and find the most joyful, loving spot as possible.” Yes! This is how I strive to live everyday!
Love your response. I wish to add, I hope you have someone to hold the ladder steady for you, while your try find your footing.
What a delight to awaken at dawn, make my cuppa Joe, open my phone and find your new post. Your courage, and of course Tom’s, are incomparable. Very few of us could challenge the very core of ourselves in such extraordinary ways. After everything that you’ve been through, looking death in the face, I can hardly think of taking on such a long solo road trip. You are a brilliant light in this world, my dear. There is no one else like you.
I am also challenging myself. I just turned 80 and have planned a number of solo adventures. I am off to Asia for the first time next month, by land, air and sea. In the spring, I am taking a ship from Fort Lauderdale to Seattle, where my son, daughter-in-law and little grandchildren live; rather a circuitous route. Underlying my adventures is a certain amount of fear, but I really don’t think much about all the things that can go wrong. I’m not a great sailor, but I have two kinds of Dramamine that seem to work well. I imagine you too don’t think much about what can go wrong, but rather about what beauty, friendships, mysteries, lie ahead. These lives are so temporary, why not push the pedal to the metal. On to another 🌅 sunrise💖
Dear Suzy, I am also am turning 80 and am in awe of Suleika . I have learned so much by following Suleika and probably most of all I now look at 80 in a very different light. For now , I am excited by your adventure and look forward to following you . . I guess the best way to follow you is through Substack . Are you on Instagram ? In the meantime , happy trails .
Yes I’m on Instagram also check out my website www.suzikedwards.com
Thanks😊💪🏻
I'm in awe of YOU Suzi! What adventures await! ❤️
And remember to look to the horizon which will help if need be.
on to another sunrise indeed! bon voyage.
Thanks
Here’s to Ramzi Abu Radwan. And to Sandy Tolan who wrote a book, “Children of the Stone”, a true story of Ramzi’s journey, so far.
In 2015 I happened upon Sandy’s book. What a delightful, inspiring story. Ramzi created a school for music in Ramallah, Palestine, for children. I read this book, wrote Ramzi to say “bravo”, what a wonderful offering to children. Ramzi wrote back, asking for examples of my own music making. This led, in 2016, to an invitation to visit Ramallah, to participate in a sacred music festival. A foundation funded my whole journey. This journey was full of music, magic, and inspiration. In one village I found myself sitting on a park bench, drinking Arabic coffee, playing a flute. A Palestinian family sat down at a table in front of me. The parents had just bought two wooden flutes for their young daughters. One by one the sisters sat next to me and we fluted together.
I felt adopted by this family.
My journey, nourished by Ramzi’s generous spirit, still inspires me. A life altering experience “as they say”. Now it is 2024. During my recent 10month study of non-violent communication, I met Rosemary, a teacher of children in a small school in Kenya. A few days ago I sent, via WhatsApp, a short video of myself playing a flute. I wished to say hello to the children in Rosemary’s school. We have begun to exchange videos. I’ve had the delight of seeing and hearing the children reciting poems.
Music. It heals, soothes, promises and creates peace. May this continue.🏮
Sukeika thank you so much for this writing today. It brings back wonderful memories of reading your book while I was myself in induction and wondering where it would all go. I know you know this but your writing has been so so so meaningful for so many. For me you've been carrying a lantern ahead in the dark that I have followed. It lights my path even now during endless post transplant complications and the enduring question I face daily, Do you want to keep going? When I read your stories I am answered. The pain and happy times are equally of value to my soul. Thank you for staying with us for a time. I am so joyful to have you, my prophet, leading onward.
❤️❤️❤️
Sending love to you Steve. ❤️
Suleika…so good to read your work this morning with coffee. Getting ready for my regular Ovarian cancer scans etc. you help me believe that no matter what we go on ♥️
No matter what we go on. ❤️
We go on. Thank you for the reminder Susan 🩷.
My Grandad reminds me of that sentiment too, always signing off his emails, ‘Onwards’.
This: “I understood how one thing leads to the next and the next thing leads to all others. I wasn't an individual set apart in time, but a continuation of ideas; not the brush, but the paint; not self-governed, but guided by greater forces.” Wonderful!
I love this too. ❤️
Hello Suleika. Thank you for your words. I cried. For the beautiful gifts in your writing. The moving forward with each and every day with illness is a daily challenge for me. And I love the beauty of all here.
Thanks for this essay. I'm in my twenties and two years into serious illness that has reached an especially intense/uncertain point. Lately when I am able to read, I've been drawn to adventure and nature stories- partly for the escapism, but maybe also because something about those stories feel so relatable to where I am in illness even if from the outside I appear to barely move (the uncertainty, struggle, inner turmoil, strife, etc.). Recently I was spending time with my favorite 60 year old (a very badass 60 year old who's an epic outdoorswoman and also got sick around the same time as me) and she mentioned Steinbeck and "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". She said I could join her bookclub for their discussions if I read them. So thanks for the push towards those books- I think that's just what I needed this morning.
Thanks again, wishing anyone who reads this all the best.
Sending love and strength to you, hp. ❤️
And to you, strength for the journey ahead.
Suleika, Between Two Kingdoms is how I discovered you, and I'm so grateful to "know" you, even from the distance of the Internet (and your book). I have read many books filled with other people's brave explorations, and probably live vicariously through them as I cannot travel myself, but they inspire me to push the boundaries I can. Your words encouraged me find courage in this in-between place I'm in right now. I have felt like I'm in limbo and can't move ahead until I find out about the next medical "thing," but you reminded me why that's not true and how important it is to live in the moment (again...I keep forgetting). I'm going to be pre-ordering Tom's book. I read all of Jedidiah Jenkin's parents books on their walk across America, and his book "To Shake the Sleeping Self." I'm looking forward to more.
Hello, I have done a lot of solo traveling and embracing the adventure, more than the fear is key… for a trip and for life over all.
Often this is easier said than done especially when “ the heebie-jeebies” come in the middle of the night!
Best to you Suleika & to all as we continue on our adventures! As the seasons roll on once again…
Summer slipping away into autumnal glories
Just got back from Sicily! Pasta+ pizza+ pistachios + art+ the Mediterranean Sea= paradise!
Currently in the mid-Hudson Valley in NY but soon returning to my little house down a dirt road in the woods of Southern Oregon !💜Deb
Hi Everyone! Sending blessings. I had been a transplant from Lynn, Mass to NYC. Believe it or not this inspiration came from my Uncle John’s mistress ( and n very early days). Her name is Florence and I loved her and she loved me. Florence never judged me and I never judged her. So far at my my young age if 12, she was the most independent woman I’d ever met. I loved her spunk, independence. Although confusing to me as a little girl that Florence was my Uncle John’s mistress. I came from a tribe of angry women both dead and alive, so seeing and experiencing Florence’s kindness, love, independence, and fearlessness, she had a great impact in on me to take risks, like moving, 9 years later from Lynn, Mass to NYC. When I was with Florence and my uncle John, I never saw John so happy. Everyone was happy around Florence. Of course for Florence there was a high price to pay for being with Uncle John. Florence set me on a path to live my life for me, and I love Florence forever. Bless us all and take extra care of the risk takes.
My Younger Self...I had to be the one to physically leave each of my three "live in" relationships. This last one, my longest at 20 years, was the most difficult ever. My mantra (oh, along with my weekly therapy, meds to tamp down life long my anxiety travel companion and yoga): "I have done this before and I can do it again." My therapist, upon hearing that I finally made the jump to freedom last week called me The Bold Mover. Thank you, Younger Self, for blazing the trail.
Hurrah, Mary!!! Setting a trail for your own daughter.
Thank you, Jacqueline! That means so much to me.
Hello, I have been and am a solo traveler-roads are different or not at all-- it began with books. I was probably a junior in high school, working in a theater that took 3 busses to arrive. Ater the show I sat in a bar while the actors drank and then drove me home. I sometimes climbed in the window because the door was locked.
I came upon a book called The Asiatics-- and it spoke to me desire to walk around the globe-starting in Pakistan. The simple story is of a young man with no particular description and he was in Lebanon and began the travels looking for answers which of course were ambiguous -I read this book many times Andre Gide wrote the introduction -so - I found Gide-- I learned the author Frederic Proksch had not traveled at all-his imagination did-- and so I learned miles counted for nothing if eyes were closed.
And then I found Orlando --yes Virginia Woolf - and Orlando-- be as you be-- and so I continue to travel either different roads--walking the dog on Delancy--North Vietnam close to Russia--and somehow have never been drawn to cars of public transportation---still footing it.
Orlando is such a wondrously wild ride ❤️
Beloved, Suleika. Thank you for this post especially. We at 77 and 78 years old are moving to live in another country. We have our stuff around us in preparation. We have 2 dogs, Dulce and Max, 1 cat, Jesse James (and he is a bandido,) and an African Gray parrot, Habibi. They are going, too. I'm not scared. But, I've had difficulty with questions such as "why are you moving to..." and "aren't you afraid." Now I say, "because we want to." Thank you again and again.
Your adventure is intriguing. Where are you brave folks off to?
Good Sunday, friends. Thank you, Suleika and Tom, for sharing your story today. I am in awe of the courage and determination it must have taken to fulfill these dreams. I am also touched deeply by my dear Mother, who left a teaching job in Wisconsin to build airplanes during WWII on Long Island. (Had she not, I would not be here.) My mother's courage enabled her to face down, with good humor and faith, cancer, twice. She lived as a divorcee in a strong Catholic neighborhood and held her head high, caring for my two older sister and me alone, never to remarry. My mother's life taught me to not give up. She use to say " No one said this life was suppose to be easy", and she was correct. Yet, no where does it say that because of difficulties you stop living. Or throwing the most wonderful and creative dinner parties. (Once, my mother had miniature guillotines built as place setting for a Bastille party she threw). I am so grateful for her life of courage and all day curiosity about the world. Two generations later, my daughter is blazing her own trail. Walking the Camino and now, exploring Costa Rica. Life on her own terms is the only life this brave girl is interested in living. I salute her as I sit with my latest book, The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen. Another journey all together. It may be I will never see much of the world, but the map of my heart can tell you many stories, as well.
Your mother sounds spectacular. ❤️
Thank you, Suleika. She was and how she loved this life!! I want you to know how often I think of you...so blessed that your life has touched mine. Don't ever doubt how God has used you to spread joy and hope!! Have a glorious day!!!
Back in 2008, I was on a business trip that took me to Tupelo, Mississippi. I had built a couple of extra days into my schedule, thinking I’d spend them in
Memphis (about 90 minutes northwest). Hearing that I loved music, one of my hosts suggested
I explore the Mississippi Blues Trail, which was in its infancy. It takes you through the Delta, visiting places that are significant in the history of the Blues. To this Michigan girl, the scenery and the relationship of the land and the water were revelations. I only scratched the surface and I’d go back in a heart beat. https://msbluestrail.org/