Kismet

I can think of no better birthday tribute than this ODE to Carla, who found me through my book.

She read Serpent Box and reached out to me. Apparently something I wrote a long time ago resonated with her.

We spoke on the phone and exchanged emails. She's a kindred spirit for sure. Her work is vital and fascinating. I'm still discovering her.

To have developed a friendship through a novel I wrote many years ago is a great gift, and still a surprise to me. Yet not. Serpent Box has called in all kinds of people. It continues to change my life.

But this is about Carla, with whom I share a humble respect for indigenous peoples and culture. She's also a writer, and a teacher, and a guide. I recommend investigating her websites. Who knows what doors it might open, what ideas it might shake loose?

When we write, and publish what we write, we are inviting other minds, other souls, to intermingle with our own. We think we're telling stories to strangers when what we're really doing is sharing our inner most selves with others who are not strangers at all. There must be dozens, if not hundreds, of other Carlas out there who have read my words, entered my mind, and remained quiet. And that's just fine. But I sure am happy this reader reached out.