Recently I re-read Sue Hubbell’s “A Country Year” — one of the best-loved books on my shelves. At the front of the book, right after the title page, she quotes Rainer Maria Rilke (Letters to a Young Poet, Letter No. 4); these words resonate through my days as I go about my chores and work at the loom.
. . . . Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves . . . . Do not . . . . seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will . . . . gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.
Acer palmatum ‘Chishio Improved’
Now I’m going out to work in my garden, planting and weeding, and let my mind ruminate.
You have been in my thoughts so much. I am just supremely lazy about calling you. I am not in the habit of checking your blog regularly, so it was my John who brought this all to my attention. I think you have handled this transition very well. Your new Pikake is too sweet. So happy that you have her now.
Will be in touch soon.
much love and hugs,
Shirley
What a wonderful statement! Thank you for this quote.