Re: Mr. Antolini
oconnort@nyu.edu
Fri, 05 Dec 1997 01:00:38 -0500
On Thu, Dec 04, 1997 at 08:26:15PM -0500, Peggy F. Jean-Louis wrote:
> personal to her had become too painful. At the time, I didn't really
> understand what she meant by that, but after reading the post that follows
> this comment, I am beginning to see what how that could have happened and
> wonder if I shouldn't follow her example and end my brief association with
> this list as well.
I regret that I'm sooooooo far behind at work that I've got a pile of
list mail to read yet, but I noticed this one, Peggy, and want to urge
you -- and anyone else here who might find this offputting -- to give
it a chance, just a little more of a chance.
Although this place can be vexing and sometimes tiresome, and sometimes
less than tolerable, it is often a gentle place where we can look at a
little detail we love in a story, and just say that we love it and sigh.
(Or love someone who comes to mind when we read it, and sigh for that
good feeling.)
I have a sense that this is what brings people here more often than
not. It's some kind of love for the work, or even (abstractly) for the
people who love the work. The mind-numbing discussions can't detract
from the times we just sit back and read something lovely and ... sigh
with pleasure, wherever we find that pleasure.
I'm sure we must deeply frustrate the more analytical members of our
little community at times!
So, I hope you will stick it out a bit more. But if you go, well, go in
peace, and enjoy the writing, because that's what most of us will be
trying to do here, too.
Cheers!
--tim