From The Restory - Conversations On The Journey (104)

Mentors

The Conversation

Elements From The Conversation

~ ❖ ~

An example of a mentor speaking from experience, preparing the boy for life: 

"It is this. And listen carefully. I meditated on love and reasoned it out. I realized what is wrong with us. Men fall in love for the first time. And what do they fall in love with?"

The boy's soft mouth was partly open and he did not answer.

"A woman," the old man said. "Without science, with nothing to go by, they undertake the most dangerous and sacred experience in God's earth. They fall in love with a woman. Is that correct, Son?"

"Yeah," the boy said faintly.

"They start at the wrong end of love. They begin at the climax. Can you wonder it is so miserable? Do you know how men should love?" The old man reached over and grasped the boy by the collar of his leather jacket. He gave him a gentle

little shake and his green eyes gazed down unblinking and grave.

"Son, do you know how love should be begun?"

The boy sat small and listening and still. Slowly he shook his head. The old man leaned closer and whispered:

"A tree. A rock. A cloud."

Carson McCullers                 

~ ❖ ~

Music

Maybe Leonard is singing here about a relationship that is no more and that he is leaving behind.  

But Leaving The Table appears on his last album and in other ways it is also a farewell. An elderly Leonard is looking back. He does not boast and isn't bitter, doesn't make any excuses. As a wise elder, a mentor who has come to terms with his imminent end, he shares his wisdom with us.

With our love. As always. 

George & Matilda