Gratitude for everything
Paa Dansk "Tak For Alt"
I was just reading a letter of gratitude from Charles Bukowski to the editor who enabled him to give up his soul-sucking job to be a full-time writer. What John Martin did for Bukowski is what seven of you (so far!) are doing for me. Paid subscribers of Substacks help the world go around for many of us here.
When I was living in Copenhagen between December 2000 and September 2002, my apartment on Lauridskausgade was hard by a large cemetery where many of Denmark’s leading lights were laid to rest. One thing of the many charming aspects of the Danish language was found on many a tombstone - “Tak For Alt” which, translated literally reads “Thanks for everything” and what could be more appropriate for final words? Thank you for everything you have done for us, the dead are saying. Thank you for everything that life provided. Thank you for taking the time to read this inscription and know that I was once another version of what you are now - a living, breathing human being.
I am grateful to all of you who are reading along on Harrowings. It’s easy to amplify the signal through the noise and every cent we spend is a vote for the kind of world we are all co-creating. I have needed your help and many of you have come through. Reading is one thing - amplifying is another and becoming a paid member is above and beyond. Please consider joining and submitting comments on what you would be willing to pay for in terms of writing here. I’m capable of a great deal more than I’ve put in so far and am fishing for a formula that works for all of us.
Pass it on and, as always, onwards!