Variations

Met two dear friends for coffee this morning and am reminded again of the only possible purpose of human life: connection.

Here is the touch of one woman’s life-worn hand on the other’s. One is involved in care-taking for a daughter-in-law with bone cancer and an ex-husband who is ninety; the other is awaiting the birth of her daughter’s second baby any day now, at which point she will fly north and immerse herself in caring for a three-year-old, a newborn, and two joyful but harried parents preparing for a Briss. And then there’s me, in love, having finally met my match, blushing and pie-eyed with amazement. Mazal tov! We cheer for each other, rejoice together, pat each other’s hands, hug, and appreciate each other’s courage, playing variations on the theme of the always-tender, always-brave heart.

As a bonus, here’s a Youtube of Glenn Gould’s hands doing what they did so tenderly.