A reply to: A letter from Liam
Dear Liam,
I received your letter with joy.
I trust that the situation with Mathilda’s daughter Alina has resolved itself. If the curse has not yet been lifted, then I’ll send my good thoughts and wishes with yours for safety and healing.
Strangely enough, curses are something with which I do have experience.
A few years ago, when searching for healing from a persistent sinus infection, I found myself with a psychic healer. I’d visited her for flower essences, since my niece Meadow had suggested the essence of calendula as a powerful cure for ailments of the sinus passages.
The healer took one look at me and said, “You’ve been cursed.”
I must have started, for she said next, “I don’t mean to disturb you with this news! It’s a simple statement of fact.”
She went on to describe that a curse is another word for carrying the emotional energy of another.
“The intense emotions, especially anger or sadness, of another person can be passed onto you and become lodged in your body. We call this ‘a curse.’ It doesn’t always happen consciously or even intentionally.”
She proceeded to ask me if I could recall anytime when my jaw or face had been touched by anyone who was upset. “Even a dentist,” she said.
A memory from late childhood rushed back. I sat in the dentist chair, my jaw force open by a metal clamp, getting my molar filled. While the dentist drilled, he complained to his assistant about his divorce. His voice was thick with grief and rage.
“That’s it!” said the healer when I described the memory to her.
She performed a healing, which consisted of nothing more than a blessing, a prayer, and the waving of her palm over my jaw.
I felt something lift. From that moment, my sinusitis has been gone.
With a powerful witch like Mathilda for her mother, I trust that Alina’s healing will be swift and complete.
My niece and I have made a silent pact not to talk about our pen pals with each other; but I suspect that you are right, and that this pen pal endeavor is certainly “all in the family.”
My nephew has recently signed up for the project. His eyes got a suspicious twinkle when he mentioned it, so I’m guessing he found an enchanting reason to join.
Since writing you last, my everyday life feels imbued with magic.
At certain times of the day, the line between worlds seems to thin, and I suspect all sorts of energy to fly in from lee-lines in every direction.
At any rate, my disbelief seems to be evaporating, and I am finding that mystery in every moment.
Have you ever wondered about capacity for friendship?
I had a time in my life, when my teaching connected me with a hundred students and dozens of colleagues each semester, when I felt that I had limited capacity for others. I was often beyond the full-meter.
Lately, though, it feels that there is room in my amygdala for everyone I happen to meet.
Did I mention to you that I’ve become a tutor through the gifted program at a local elementary school?
The school has recruited retired professionals to work one-on-one with children in the program. My young friend seems to be bringing me more than I could ever hope to return!
For one thing, she asks questions that get me to think–in much the same way your letters do, as a matter of fact.
Recently, she asked me about time, and I had to pull out that old fabric analogy to offer up a possible example of string theory in action.
She is forcing me to stretch the boundaries of my knowledge, and for an old codger like me, that is a very good thing.
We spent last Saturday afternoon in the Reading Room at the city park. She had questions about crystals and metal ore, so I suspect that a field trip will be in order next weekend.
I feel blessed to live alone. Mind you, the years I shared my life with Bess are perennially treasured–but it’s the solitude I have now that opens up the time for treasuring.
When I was a young man, I felt guilt at indulging in solitary pleasure. Now, the moments when I can let my attention completely focus at the task-at-hand, uninterrupted by the words, thoughts, or feelings of others, come as gifts of luxury.
Have you noticed that a meal gains flavor when prepared with attention?
Now that, I feel, is magic.
Wishing you health, and health to those you love, too.
With gratitude,
Jasper
Cathy Tea's SimLit Anthology 