I liked everything about this interview, and this line made me laugh out loud: "I’m surprised by the number of celebrities who I don’t know the names of."
This was a great one to read the day after my 67th birthday. Thank you, Grant. I also love "tears as prayer." I cry so often now I think I will look at it as such from now on. Thank you for that, too ♥️
This is one of my favorite interviews ever, just wonderful! I now want to read Grant Faulkner's book, "All The Comfort Sin Can Provide" and if he ever writes a memoir, will read it.
There's so much to love in this interview but especially loved the description of his grandfather:
"My grandfather on my mother’s side was also a pretty good ager. He died at 98 while reading the book I gave him for Christmas. When I first decided to be a writer as a 20-year-old, I lived in a shack on my grandparents’ farm, and he walked down to the farm from town every day and did strenuous things like bail hay. He was a thinker, a man who sang in the shower, a walker, a man who never followed the same path twice. He poured a stream of sugar in his iced tea and enjoyed a good piece of pie. He listened to people he disagreed with. He always had a gentle twinkle in his eye."
Hi Grant! This was so lovely to read. This honest, raw, vulnerable style (style? Voice? I need a better word) is why I enjoy your substack. I identified with so much of this it’s kind of funny. I think I have that bicentennial T-shirt. And yes, I want to do all those things- the long pilgrimage, the fancy cane etc.
my favorite line :Aging has given me the ability to cry. I cry for every crack breaking in the ceiling of my mind. That’s the way I let the light in. A form of prayer, I suppose.
Thanks for your kind words, Joanell—and thanks for reading! Ah, that bicentennial t-shirt. And it's good to know you're among the legions of criers. It's good for us, I think.
What a wonderful interview this was with Grant. It was thought provoking and interesting in so many different ways. I will be thinking about and revisiting this interview today.
❤️❤️❤️Above all, though, I like the Dalai Lama’s definition of religion: kindness. Kindness, kindness, kindness. You can’t go wrong.
I love these interviews so so much. I think they’ve become my favourite thing to read on the internet, and I read a LOT of things on the internet. I planned to just skim this quickly before going to bed but then got sucked in as I always do. I want to read this one over and over again and print it off and hang it up so I can keep referring to it. So many gems. Thank you, Grant, for sharing your wisdom and vulnerability with us readers.
This is great. I read your substack and I like knowing more about the man behind the posts. I could respond to so much. Two things though: "The math of every day, of every year..." Yes!
And when I turned 45, after grueling years of trying to make a baby, I decided to celebrate the end of that awful time with a half marathon. Since then, I try to do something memorable every five years, whether it's a physical challenge, a trip somewhere, and for 65 I got my MFA. Why wait 10 years.
congratulations - always keep on growing - I love the idea of turning aging on it's head - do more - what is next for you I wonder? why wait for 5 years
What a lovely start to my day – to "meet" Grant Faulkner. His writing and thoughtfulness seem so effortless to a reader. Entering Grant's world was like being rocked gently by a comforting friend. Damn! I needed that so badly! Thank you, Grant, and thank you, Sari, for another gem.
I liked everything about this interview, and this line made me laugh out loud: "I’m surprised by the number of celebrities who I don’t know the names of."
I resonated with this interview as well. Some laugh out loud moments.
"I like that I’m happier for other people’s successes than I used to be."
That is so, so true.
This was a great one to read the day after my 67th birthday. Thank you, Grant. I also love "tears as prayer." I cry so often now I think I will look at it as such from now on. Thank you for that, too ♥️
Happy birthday, Cindy!!!
Thank you! 😍
Happy 67th! May your tears take you far, inside and beyond. Crying really does have a holiness to it.
man, did i need to read this today at 5:52 in the morning.
This is one of my favorite interviews ever, just wonderful! I now want to read Grant Faulkner's book, "All The Comfort Sin Can Provide" and if he ever writes a memoir, will read it.
There's so much to love in this interview but especially loved the description of his grandfather:
"My grandfather on my mother’s side was also a pretty good ager. He died at 98 while reading the book I gave him for Christmas. When I first decided to be a writer as a 20-year-old, I lived in a shack on my grandparents’ farm, and he walked down to the farm from town every day and did strenuous things like bail hay. He was a thinker, a man who sang in the shower, a walker, a man who never followed the same path twice. He poured a stream of sugar in his iced tea and enjoyed a good piece of pie. He listened to people he disagreed with. He always had a gentle twinkle in his eye."
What an amazing man!
Glad you enjoyed!
Thanks so much, Deborah! He was an amazing man. If I can make it to 98 in the way he did, I'll be very happy.
Hi Grant! This was so lovely to read. This honest, raw, vulnerable style (style? Voice? I need a better word) is why I enjoy your substack. I identified with so much of this it’s kind of funny. I think I have that bicentennial T-shirt. And yes, I want to do all those things- the long pilgrimage, the fancy cane etc.
my favorite line :Aging has given me the ability to cry. I cry for every crack breaking in the ceiling of my mind. That’s the way I let the light in. A form of prayer, I suppose.
Beautiful interview!
Thanks for your kind words, Joanell—and thanks for reading! Ah, that bicentennial t-shirt. And it's good to know you're among the legions of criers. It's good for us, I think.
What a wonderful interview this was with Grant. It was thought provoking and interesting in so many different ways. I will be thinking about and revisiting this interview today.
❤️❤️❤️Above all, though, I like the Dalai Lama’s definition of religion: kindness. Kindness, kindness, kindness. You can’t go wrong.
I love these interviews so so much. I think they’ve become my favourite thing to read on the internet, and I read a LOT of things on the internet. I planned to just skim this quickly before going to bed but then got sucked in as I always do. I want to read this one over and over again and print it off and hang it up so I can keep referring to it. So many gems. Thank you, Grant, for sharing your wisdom and vulnerability with us readers.
This makes me so happy!
Oh, wow, thanks so much for your kind words, Stephanie! I really appreciate this.
"I’d like to go on a lengthy spiritual pilgrimage." If you're a writer you're already on one : )
Thanks for this interview, Grant and Sari! I relate to so much of it, and I love all the photos and portraits!
standing ovation! thanks, grant and sari.
💕
This is great. I read your substack and I like knowing more about the man behind the posts. I could respond to so much. Two things though: "The math of every day, of every year..." Yes!
And when I turned 45, after grueling years of trying to make a baby, I decided to celebrate the end of that awful time with a half marathon. Since then, I try to do something memorable every five years, whether it's a physical challenge, a trip somewhere, and for 65 I got my MFA. Why wait 10 years.
Love the every-five-years plan!
congratulations - always keep on growing - I love the idea of turning aging on it's head - do more - what is next for you I wonder? why wait for 5 years
I’m not!
Congrats on getting an MFA! And ... I'm going to think about your 5-year plan. Why not increase milestones/experiences at this age?
as finite beings why wait five years? the fact we are on here writing/righting we have a great deal of privilege - not to be wasted yet cherished
Exactly!
What a lovely start to my day – to "meet" Grant Faulkner. His writing and thoughtfulness seem so effortless to a reader. Entering Grant's world was like being rocked gently by a comforting friend. Damn! I needed that so badly! Thank you, Grant, and thank you, Sari, for another gem.
Glad you enjoyed it, Ruth!!
Hands down the best of your wonderful interviews. Ever.
Thanks so much, Beth!
Loved this interview. Stopped me in my tracks this morning in the best possible way. Will be thinking of it all day.
The section on what surprises you…..it sang to me. Thank you