I’ve been in a pondering mood lately. Going far beyond my regular early morning meditations. Contemplating concerns near and dear to my heart. Confronting those concerns that inflict fear, anxiety, and regret. Embracing those that stir joy, hope and purpose.
This then is but one tiny slice of all of that…
I am a quote person. Wherever their source – from books, famous people, poems, speeches, friends & family – I collect found quotes which more clearly express what I often struggle to articulate.
Then there are those quotes I don’t always understand…
Once upon a time many years ago, shortly before Ma passed away, I received a card from her in the snail mail. This was nothing unusual. Even though we lived a short distance away from each other and visited often, talked on the phone, and ate Family Feasts together regularly, she was known to snail mail surprise notes via USPS…just because.
Inside this particular note card was a handwritten quote by Omar Khayyam.
“The moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves on: nor all thy piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all thy tears wash out a word of it.”
Omar Khayyam, from The Rubaiyat
At that time, I was puzzled by the quote. And pondered it over the years following her death.
Just recently, I had a spontaneous AHA moment. Seemingly out of nowhere and for no discernable reason or circumstance: I got it! As always, she fed me what I needed when I needed it. I even understood its relevance at the time Ma wrote it out and sent it to me.
Serendipitously, sometime in late March of this year, Paul McCartney dropped the lead single, Days We Left Behind from his latest album The Boys of Dungeon Lane scheduled for release the end of this month.
I took a listen.
I heard echoes of Omar Khayyam.
I heard Ma.
Thank you, Sir Paul.
Your mother not only understood, she was clever in making you understand. Omar’s quote is really wonderful, and I understand her message to you. That is huge. I get it with Paul. He and your mother would have gotten along beautifully.
Thank you, Jennie. ❤️
You are most welcome, Laura.
Lovely, Laura. The song is beautiful. It’s my first time hearing it, so thank you for sharing.
Happy to spread the music & the musings!
My mum and I used to write to each other too, even though, like you and your mum, we saw each other regularly. It was always a treat to have one of her letters in the letter box. And she loved quotes too! Thank you for the reminders. And thank you too for the McCartney song, It is beautiful, and enhanced by the simplicity of the video.
Very cool and very touching about our moms/mums. It appears I’m in good company. BTW: Zippy’s Ma is in our open circle, too (see comment below). 🙂
The Rubaiyat was one of my mother’s favorite poems, too. And yes, she quoted it. And it’s certainly interesting how quotations (I collect them, too) change meaning as our lives change.
Spot on, Zippy!
Have you seen the official album trailer, featuring this song?
https://youtu.be/zckLcAuyG20?si=vusYxPOioYOBj2gd
Like everyone, I suspect, as Paul gets older he’s becoming more nostalgic amd looking back on his past, a bit like the song Early Days on his New album.
He definitely appears to be getting more emotional about his old friend John the older he gets. I’ve seen the footage of him getting upset while singing the song he penned for him, Here Today.
On the Dungeon Days song, when he sings of Forthlin Road he is addressing John. I’ve stood outside that house on that road, looked up at the bedroom in which they both wrote songs together that the world would end up singing.
I wonder what the secret code and the promise made were that he refers to? Maybe it should remain between them.
His new album is out on what was my Dad’s birthday, and so I won’t forget its release.
Yes, I saw the official trailer after my initial listening to the newly released dropped single back in March. It’s funny because even during my ‘late epiphany’ on understanding the Omar quote I hadn’t connected it as being purely reflective of a life lived…as in ‘old age – no regrets’. What stands out for me is the fact that no matter how anyone might put a spin on our life’s history or try to seed misinformation about it thusly, the reality/truth of said life cannot be ‘erased’. And in these times of erasure, censorship and ‘doublethink’ that is a reassuring thought. (yeah, I’m rereading Orwell’s 1984 and it’s much too close for comfort!)
I, too, have noticed Paul’s more emotional attachment towards his relationship with John. I view that as part of the natural working through of long-term friendships, especially when one is deceased. I’m sure it’s a comfort to Paul that they had a reconciliation of sorts before John’s murder.
“I’ve stood outside that house on that road, looked up at the bedroom in which they both wrote songs together that the world would end up singing.” Priceless!
As I read your reply, Paul’s second single from the album is out. A duet with Ringo, it’s another affectionate look back at beginnings. Reminded me of my own childhood, growing up in first Heywood and then on Langley. Even more post-war than those two though 😂
I like how you have that visceral connection in your childhood experiences – a shared multi-generational frame of reference with the Fab Four! The second single is a reminder that only Paul could pull off these sentimental pieces in context of a ‘4 lads from Liverpool, One Beatles Journey’ retrospective! Ya know?
I do 🙂
Thank you for the music
You’re most welcome, Mariss!
Your post got my eyes misted up.
Thank-you for that, Tierney…
💕
Thanks for ‘getting it’, LA.
A beautiful and uplifting post, Laura. Meaningful quote. Thanks for sharing the new Paul McCartney song. I am an old Beatles Fan, and it was great hearing Paul sing a new song! 🎵🎶
Isn’t it amazing how we get to hear something new from an old soul like Macca?
I’m glad you’re in a pondering mood, Laura. Good thoughts here. Challenging times cause me to ponder things also, and hopefully grow from them. Thank you for posting that video, Laura! I hadn’t heard the song! Wow! Definitely Beatles-esque. But the lyrics are worth pondering.
Growth in a world that squelches & oppresses is the miraculous fruit of pondering – watered & nurtured by the One who created it all. I’m glad you’re pondering also, L.Marie. hugs
I love a late epiphany. Their timing is mysterious and always — perfectly timed.
Like they say, “Timing is everything”! Thanks for that insight, Laura.
Love this Laura ! Very thoughtful and so true ! The past is treasured and not erasable but I’d like to think the best is yet to be !!
Lisa
Agreed! 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Lisa. Will be talking with you soon.
This is lovely, Laura. I too love quotes and collect them for the same reason. At first reading, I also wasn’t sure what the Omar quote was about. But after listening to the song (teary-eyed) I got it. It’s a bit like something I posted this morning, but coming from a different angle. You are so lucky to have had a mom like yours. So loving and wise. She passed all that onto you. I truly treasure our friendship, virtual as it is, my dear Flower-Sister.
Thank you Deborah for validating my uncertainty of the Omar quote’s meaning! And I agree, it is a bit like the idea presented in your latest post also pubbed today. May I paraphrase? “What I have now are these words I am reading, her voice speaking to me. We are connected through time and space in some mysterious way through this act of writing and reading.” from: https://deborahjbrasket.com/2026/05/03/on-this-mystical-union-between-reader-writer/
Flower-Sisters 4ever! ❤️