29 years ago today, I was born. Although, I’m sure most of you know that and have already said, “Happy Birthday!!!!” to me on Facebook. I mean, that’s what we do now, right?
I’m meeting with my spiritual director today in Berkeley. This is our third session, and while it always makes me a little anxious beforehand, I’m always glad for the conversation, reflection and guidance he offers to me. Last month, when I mentioned I’d be turning 29 today, he sent me this from the play one-character play “Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein.” I don’t know if anyone else has turned 29 recently, but it seems to be a fairly accurate portrayal of the kinds of things going through my mind today.
Twenty-nine
It is often true in the twenty-ninth year of one’s life
When one is twenty-nine
That all the wild energies that are thrown off
By the creative process of the making of a personality
Begin to take form and shape.
This one may be pointed like an arrow
That one branched out like that
And this one may be circular
But it is often true in the twenty-ninth year
Whether really or metaphorically
That these energies begin to assume a decided shape
And one is confronted with the question of one’s purpose…
And so in that twenty-ninth year one is usually
Forced or obliged or inspired
To make a choice about one’s inner life
And whether to acknowledge and express
Or obscure as best as possible
That inner life.
Marty Martin from “Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein”
