To me, Maurice Sendak — his being, his voice— embodies the essence of Satish Kumar’s “soil, soul, and society.”
“It is a blessing to get old. It is a blessing to find the time to do the things, to read the books, to listen to the music. I have nothing but praise, now, really, for my life. I cry a lot because I miss people. They die and I can’t stop them. Young people look at me as if I know everything; oh God, poor kids!
“I’m a happy old man. But I shall cry my way all the way to the grave. I wish you all good things. Live your life live your life.”
I read Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are” to my little boys in the ’60s both before and after I broke up with their father. Sean and Colin were scared. I was scared. We loved snuggling up and turning the pages.
Thanks to Renee for the pointer.
