It was 6PM in Longboat Key, Florida. The sensible air temperature corresponded with the 88 degrees of the ocean mass to produce a single aqueous-like solution of air and water, the boundary between the two almost imperceptible. The calming, undulating waves of the Gulf swaddled us like babes, absolving us of all our cares, all the stories that define, empower and imprison us.
This world came into being some 4.5 billion years ago and contrary to the wishful thinking proffered by profits of old who doubled as pseudo scientists, planet earth will not always be here.
Theoretical Physicist, Carlo Rovelli explains that we do not know the world as made by stones, by things, but instead we understand it as made by transitions — momentary happenings, like kisses!
Our perception of reality is limited by our short lifespan, but suppose we lived for a billion years. A stone would represent a moment in which some sand comes together and then disaggregates. So like a kiss, a stone is just a “momentary getting-together.”
And so it is with each of us — a momentary coming together of flesh, bone and blood, steaks, bread, coffee, synapses, perceptions, cultures, politicians, tweets and stories — ultimately, stardust in transition.
Here in Longboat Key, Florida, I waded into the balmy waters of the Mexican Gulf with Neal and Andy, two friends whom have known one another for more than 60 years.
Dear Neal, thank you for inviting me into your story and helping to make a dream of mine come true of attending the New York Film Festival.
Lots of love,
Pierre
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This story first appeared on Vasgevang on Nov 3rd, 2019.