Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans.

 

 

My father is back from the brink! 

Here he is enjoying the chocolate chip cookie I promised him when it seemed he was about to shuffle off this mortal coil.  His heart rate had dipped all the way down to 28, after all.  

But, Papa Callan is a fighter and so he's back!  

Truth is, we will probably be back standing at the brink again.  And again and again, until we fall into the precipice, the unknown. 

I do believe this is a metaphor for life because the moment we're born, we are looking over the cliff, knowing that one day, we will fall down, tumble and most likely--not come back.

But isn't this what makes life wonderful and amazing and poignant and joyful and sad?

And isn't this what making art is all about?  Knowing that you are making this thing, believing it will change the world and last forever, even when you know--deep down--this is probably not true.  That's the magic of creativity and that's the magic of life.  It requires a kind of cognitive dissonance.  You intend one thing and you end up getting another thing.  The key is to embrace this "other thing."  Because this "other thing" is what life is all about.  In the words of John Lennon-- 

Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans.

Dear creative friends--my advice to you is to make art, knowing it will not be exactly what you intended and it will not last forever.

And this week, in honor of Papa Callan (who is now back at home!!!!) go have yourself a big chocolate chip cookie.

P.S.  Thank you to the gentleman from Providence who sent the cookies.  And by the way, my dad only had a bite of the giant cookie, so please don't worry!