34. What You Have More Of
Yesterday’s writing of what I have learned told the story of Itzhak Perlman, who played a concert with three of the four strings on his violin. And when he finished to wild applause said, “Sometimes it is the artist’s task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left.”
There’s truth in that, and for me, the other half of it is that at age 79 I have more of some things than I used to. I have more patience—in traffic jams, in doctor’s offices. I just am sure to take things with me so I can use the time. I have more understanding of people than I used to have, because by now I’m recognizing that I usually have been someplace close to the place they are and how much I wished for someone to understand. I have more love to give because it’s finally dawned me that it’s an endless supply and I will never run out. (And I celebrate that that is true of God also!)
So I may not skip again. But as one skill vanishes, it’s a wonder to behold that some other skill doubles.
