We were side by side in the spinning class this morning when she turned to me and spoke over the pounding pulse of the imaginary road beneath us. We got into it last night. I nodded, and knew. After I made my plans and sent out the invitations, he won’t take the kids that weekend. The lonely long stretch of it, the gaping ache of betrayal. You just can’t do that! At every turn, the shock and sudden crumble. I know what he’s doing. He’s taking her and her kids on vacation. Another raging tremble. It’s more than we ever think we can bear. And I thought to myself “she should read my book.”
We rode.
We all ride.
Sometimes it’s steep.
We sweat and cry.
A slope, and then it’s harder yet.
Farther still and finally
The last gasp.
Class over, we slide off the bikes and she says to me “I should read your book.”
I wish you would, I say, because there’s just one life and I want you to know.
It’s not over yet.
gasp. ache.
Comment by kate — August 18, 2010 @ 1:15 pm
I hope she reads it…
Comment by Corinne — August 18, 2010 @ 2:12 pm
It’s not over yet. No matter what, it’s not over yet.
Comment by Swirly — August 18, 2010 @ 4:10 pm
Just discovered your blog, thank you.
Comment by Hannah Marcotti — August 18, 2010 @ 4:50 pm
oh dear, what if you hadn’t had a book to offer?
Comment by Meg — August 18, 2010 @ 10:50 pm
[…] just one life | Karen Maezen Miller's Cheerio Road Note to Self: Finish Karen's Book. (tags: mindfulness buddhism) […]
Pingback by links for 2010-08-20 | ReinventingErica.com — August 20, 2010 @ 9:01 am
I’ve immediately ordered your book. I think I need to read your book too!
Comment by Flavia — August 20, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
Thank you for your book. Two and a half years after separation, 9 months after my divorce, I found your book. While I’d heard the message before and have read plenty on mindfulness, Hand Wash Cold hit me deeply and taught me much. Thank you, Karen, for your centered approach to life, family life included. (I’m rooting that she read the book, by the way).
Sarah
Comment by Sarah — August 23, 2010 @ 11:37 pm
[…] So when I stumbled on a post on Karen Maezen Miller’s popular blog Cheerio Road about having Just One Life – I knew that was God’s way of reminding me that I needed to finish her book Hand Wash […]
Pingback by 8 Simple Words | ReinventingErica.com — August 27, 2010 @ 2:42 am