I really couldn’t control this pony

12 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in Adam, Christopher Hitchens, Motherhood

Walking in Mississippi with my little man

Humid Memphis summers call for some sort of pool in every yard

Mommy & Adam photo WIN: The horse made this strange noise right as we were about to take the photo. Both of us were startled and those were our actual faces. Epic.

 ”When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts.  A mother always has to think twice:  once for herself and once for her child.” ~ Sophia Loren

Upon engaging in some light reading before bed ['Trial of the Will' - Christopher Hitchens], I suddenly found myself wide awake.  When will I learn my lesson regarding the written word while as I’m preparing to sleep?  Probably never.  Don’t do it, Sloane.  Just put the book/magazine/laptop down and turn off the lights.  Lie there motionless in the dark.  Reading will not make you tired.  It will stimulate your brain and add hours to your day.

….so I’m cutting myself off right here.  Hitch already has me pondering the notion of whether or not I am stronger from that which does not kill me.  Instead of yielding to the urge to write before bed [which is even more dangerous than merely reading], I’ll turn on the television and watch Ghost Adventures.  Problem solved.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane

Christopher Hitchens

17 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in * R. i. P. *, Authors, Christopher Hitchens, Death, Heroes, Illness, Journalists, Writing

1949-2011

Last night sleep evaded me, a rarity in this late stage of pregnancy.  I simply couldn’t shake the feeling that somebody was about to pass and I needed to remain awake until I received closure.  It wasn’t that gut wrenching panic associated with the agony of losing a loved one….more like a sort of unfinished business that I felt compelled to attend to before I went to bed.  For hours I stayed up, strangely absent of dread, waiting.  Upon refreshing my browser I discovered that Christopher Hitchens succumbed to cancer only several hours prior.

As a longtime follower and admirer of his work, I knew about the disease.  He never shied away from discussing his illness– or the fact that it was aggressive, terminal, and time was limited.  His last article for Vanity Fair can be found here.

Most knew of Hitchens’ aversion to the concept of a higher power [God Is Not Great:  How Religion Poisons Everything]….but what a narrow definition of such a complex and multifaceted person.  “A brilliant wit, matchless rhetorician, and masterful critic” says Graydon Carter of Vanity Fair.

One day I will attempt to articulate how the writings of Christopher Hitchens impacted my life.  Tonight I will use the words of others to speak for me.

On assignment for Vanity Fair

Graydon Carter’s poignant tribute to his dear friendpaints a clearer portrait of who this man was and the things for which he stood.

No one stood more diametrically opposed to Hitchens than his own brother, Peter Hitchens, also an author [and a conservative Christian].  Read his perspective regarding his late brother’s courage.

Unlike the previous two eulogies, Richard Dawkins embraces Hitchens’ atheism.  Let not his religious preferences [or lack thereof] sour you to his other ideas.  A hallmark of solid faith involves the ability to be comfortable with the ‘opposition’ expressing their beliefs and– in my personal opinion– that individuals can agree to disagree and still having meaningful interactions with the power to inform and educate both parties.

Godspeed, Hitch.  Your words are immortal.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane