Annie Dillard has departed this earthly life, which she lived so intensely. She had a strong effect on me and my own writing life, such as it is, for which I am very grateful. I read several of her books, but the last time I really engaged with one was quite a while ago, and I wrote about it here: For the Time Being.
In that essay I used many quotes from the book in my effort to convey what it was about, and what I love about her. Just now in my desire to say a little something in memory of Annie, I offer one of those excerpts, which I think somewhat describes her vision and work:
“Our lives come free; they’re on the house to all comers….
God decants the universe of time in a stream,
and our best hope is, by our own awareness,
to step into the stream and serve,
empty as flumes, to keep it moving.”
Rest in peace, Annie. I think you’re still in the stream, for the time being ❤
Another great light has dimmed! My college application essay was inspired by Annie Dillard’s Timbered Choir. I can’t remember much about it know except that I wrote about Lombardy Poplars in Michigan. Annie Dillard helped me to love them more.
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But — isn’t A Timbered Choir by Wendell Berry? Probably Dillard has written something equally inspiring. Her true wonder at Creation was something special.
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Aye! Embarrassing – I’ve mixed up the titles! A Pilgrim at Tinker Creek I should have written. I’d like to think the point of my essay was something along the lines of discovering nature in the place where you are, but I really can’t remember! Mourning the loss of both Berry and Dillard with thoughts of place and attentiveness.
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Both titles have a “Ti” in them – that would have caused me to mix them up!
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