Having just gotten off a 10 hour flight ✈️, I admit I am an aisle girl. But, the one time I did choose a window seat, per your recommendation, I witnessed a vision of grandeur I will never forget-- The Andes Mountains. Flying over those snow-capped peaks literally infused strength into the fabric of my being. I now use that visual feast as an anchor when I am stressed or overwhelmed. I close my eyes and put myself back in that window seat 💺 and inhale the power of those mountains. For me, home is a window seat overlooking the Andes.
"For me, home is a window seat overlooking the Andes." I love that line so much, Mom, and love that your glimpse of those gorgeous white peaks still brings you peace and calm today. I'm so glad you took my word for it and went for the window seat that time :) 🤍
I adore this. I just found your newsletter and it's so refreshing. Instant subscribe.
This piece makes me think of when I was flying back from San Diego last fall. I was thinking how planes are liminal spaces, hovering between two destinations. I like to journal when I'm on them, because there's something about being suspended between Before and After, Here and There, that makes my brain more malleable. I think it's because there isn't anything I need to be doing at that moment, or really can be doing. I give myself permission to just sit and be with my thoughts.
Kerani, I love that you used the phrase "liminal spaces" here -- not only does it describe the experience of flying so perfectly, but I even have another illustrated essay in the works about liminal spaces in life...they hold so much power and meaning, don't they?
Also, I can't thank you enough for your kind words about Dandelion Seeds -- I'm so happy to hear that it resonates with you, and I can't wait to share more stories with you soon 🤍
Oh I can't wait to see your essay on liminal spaces! Please let me know when it's posted. They're such a fascinating concept to me. I've often felt kind of in-between in the world, I'm a highly imaginative person and like to say that I live with one foot in a fantasy world, one foot in reality. So the concept of spaces that are between/ thresholds really resonates with me!
There is nothing like the bird's-eye-view. The expansive perspective that I often imagine, but when sitting in a plane, I get to actually SEE. It's mesmerizing.
"The expansive perspective that I often imagine, but when sitting in a plane, I get to actually SEE." I love how you put that, Medha! Thank you so much for reading, and for sharing such a beautiful thought ✈️
Susannah, I can't thank you enough for your kind words -- they mean so much, and I'm also so happy to have found you here on Substack! It's proving to be an amazing home for creativity and connection :) 🤍
The first time on an airplane I was about 16 years old, and traveling from Phoenix Arizona, to a weekend party in Nashville Tennessee, as the guest of an older friend. I remember wanting to just stare out the window at the ground beneath us, but feeling obligated to be social with my host. The contrast to this were the multiple trips from NYC to Tokyo as an adult and spending the entire 14 hours of flight in my own empty row, staring in silence out the little window at stretches of the northern lands, white with snow, almost imperceptibly being obscured by clouds, only to be revealed again until at some point having the vast sea, blue-purple replacing the white. I wonder if we some how prefer the limited view a tiny window, or picture frame, or computer screen offer us to the vast and intimidating, but still limited, view the little windows in our heads offer us. I have sailed upon a small boat out on the ocean, and stood on deck with no limitations of picture frames, or windows, and able to turn my head to fully realize that for 360 degrees the only limitation I had infront of me was the line where the sea met the sky, and my feet met the deck and the deck the sea again. It was almost too much for my human heart and mind to ingest. I don't fly anymore, for multiple reasons, but definitely to avoid the limitations of seeing the world thru yet another tiny frame. Peace.
"I wonder if we some how prefer the limited view a tiny window, or picture frame, or computer screen offer us to the vast and intimidating, but still limited, view the little windows in our heads offer us."
That's such an interesting thought, R. A., and it's beautifully expressed as well. Throughout this essay, I focus on the positive gifts that those tiny oval windows have to give us, so I appreciate you adding nuance to the conversation and pointing out their limitations, too. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you'll enjoy the next installments to come 🙏
I have always been a window seat gal, and it paid off in spades during my flight from Kathmandu to Nepalganj when I got to spend the entirety of the flight staring at Mount Everest. Excited to read the remaining stories!
Wowww -- I'm pretty sure you just won the prize for best view ever from a window seat :) I can't even imagine the awe you must've felt then, looking down at Everest! Thanks so much for sharing that, Veena, and as always, for reading and being here 🤍
Love this perspective, Candace, can’t wait to read more! (And you know I adore your illustrations ;).
I certainly appreciate the window views and love taking pictures in the clouds. But I’m an aisle seat girl all the way. For me it’s not as much about the bathroom, which IS a good thing, as it is about the freedom. I get to go where I want when I want. I hate feeling stuck or constrained in general, and a sleeping giant next to me can certainly elicit those feelings! Funny, I never thought about it this way. Thanks for making me think! 💛
Lisa! It's so lovely to hear from you here, thank you so much for taking the time to say hello :) I loved hearing your perspective on aisle seats -- that isn't something I'd thought about it, but it makes so much sense. Sending love and light your way today, and hope you're doing great! 🤍
On those far too frequent flights when I left my family for places most people don't want to travel to, I would hide my face against the cold window and no one could see the tears in my eyes. On the return flights home weeks later, when I tried to make sense of the cruelty, the despair, and the suffering I witnessed in those places most people don't want to think about, and I a broken vessel because of what I witnessed, could hide my face against the window again as the tears came and I prayed for the world that somehow there might be room somewhere in human hearts for peace, goodwill, and grace.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such an open and honest comment -- there have been many plane windows that have also witnessed my own tears, and I'm grateful for the comfort they can offer us during harder journeys.
Sitting in a window seat on a Tupelov TU-154 (pro tip: avoid flying on a TU-154), I compressed myself against the window to avoid the sharp elbow jabs from the passenger sitting to my left. When I finally turned to see who was elbowing me, I looked into the Cabbage Patch doll face of a grinning, nearly toothless babushka who was offering me a sandwich made from thin lavash bread and shashlik (barbecued sheep butt fat). The grease was congealing into rivulets down her arm and pooling in her elbow. Her smile was so endearing and insistent that vegetarian me felt compelled to accept her hospitality. It is more noble to die from food poisoning than to reject the heartwarming generosity of a sweet little babushka.
"It is more noble to die from food poisoning than to reject the heartwarming generosity of a sweet little babushka." What words of wisdom to live by :) Thank you for reading, and for painting such a vivid picture of that memorable encounter.
Love this. As an immigrant living on the opposite side of the globe from family, longhaul flights are a necessary evil in my life. But they have also been an incredible portal of meditative alone time where life reveals new insights, yearnings and wonderings as I hover above my daily life, suspended in a dream-like state for 24 hours. I look forward to reading more 😊
"They have also been an incredible portal of meditative alone time where life reveals new insights, yearnings and wonderings as I hover above my daily life..."
Vicki, I love that you just encapsulated in a single sentence what I hope to say in this entire essay series :) Thanks so much for reading and being here, and especially for sharing your poignant words with us this week 🤍
Having just gotten off a 10 hour flight ✈️, I admit I am an aisle girl. But, the one time I did choose a window seat, per your recommendation, I witnessed a vision of grandeur I will never forget-- The Andes Mountains. Flying over those snow-capped peaks literally infused strength into the fabric of my being. I now use that visual feast as an anchor when I am stressed or overwhelmed. I close my eyes and put myself back in that window seat 💺 and inhale the power of those mountains. For me, home is a window seat overlooking the Andes.
Oh gosh yes I have similar from different landscapes ⛰️
"For me, home is a window seat overlooking the Andes." I love that line so much, Mom, and love that your glimpse of those gorgeous white peaks still brings you peace and calm today. I'm so glad you took my word for it and went for the window seat that time :) 🤍
ALL THE FEELS.
😭😭😭
ALL of them!
This window-seater will be captivated ...
I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it, Tom! ✈️
I adore this. I just found your newsletter and it's so refreshing. Instant subscribe.
This piece makes me think of when I was flying back from San Diego last fall. I was thinking how planes are liminal spaces, hovering between two destinations. I like to journal when I'm on them, because there's something about being suspended between Before and After, Here and There, that makes my brain more malleable. I think it's because there isn't anything I need to be doing at that moment, or really can be doing. I give myself permission to just sit and be with my thoughts.
Kerani, I love that you used the phrase "liminal spaces" here -- not only does it describe the experience of flying so perfectly, but I even have another illustrated essay in the works about liminal spaces in life...they hold so much power and meaning, don't they?
Also, I can't thank you enough for your kind words about Dandelion Seeds -- I'm so happy to hear that it resonates with you, and I can't wait to share more stories with you soon 🤍
Oh I can't wait to see your essay on liminal spaces! Please let me know when it's posted. They're such a fascinating concept to me. I've often felt kind of in-between in the world, I'm a highly imaginative person and like to say that I live with one foot in a fantasy world, one foot in reality. So the concept of spaces that are between/ thresholds really resonates with me!
I LOVE this post. And window every time.
There is nothing like the bird's-eye-view. The expansive perspective that I often imagine, but when sitting in a plane, I get to actually SEE. It's mesmerizing.
"The expansive perspective that I often imagine, but when sitting in a plane, I get to actually SEE." I love how you put that, Medha! Thank you so much for reading, and for sharing such a beautiful thought ✈️
Likewise to you!
Beautifully illustrated; wonderful insight. Thank you for this.
Thank you, Grim! I'm so happy to hear that this resonated with you 🤍
beautiful pictures! They feel so serene.
I love that the artwork felt serene to you, Sara -- thanks so much for reading, and for your kind words :)
you're welcome! :)
Ooooo, I'm looking forward to the coming weeks! Candace, you are a treasure - so grateful I found your Substack. :-D
Susannah, I can't thank you enough for your kind words -- they mean so much, and I'm also so happy to have found you here on Substack! It's proving to be an amazing home for creativity and connection :) 🤍
Those paintings. Oh. Just beautiful.
Thank you so much! 🤍
The first time on an airplane I was about 16 years old, and traveling from Phoenix Arizona, to a weekend party in Nashville Tennessee, as the guest of an older friend. I remember wanting to just stare out the window at the ground beneath us, but feeling obligated to be social with my host. The contrast to this were the multiple trips from NYC to Tokyo as an adult and spending the entire 14 hours of flight in my own empty row, staring in silence out the little window at stretches of the northern lands, white with snow, almost imperceptibly being obscured by clouds, only to be revealed again until at some point having the vast sea, blue-purple replacing the white. I wonder if we some how prefer the limited view a tiny window, or picture frame, or computer screen offer us to the vast and intimidating, but still limited, view the little windows in our heads offer us. I have sailed upon a small boat out on the ocean, and stood on deck with no limitations of picture frames, or windows, and able to turn my head to fully realize that for 360 degrees the only limitation I had infront of me was the line where the sea met the sky, and my feet met the deck and the deck the sea again. It was almost too much for my human heart and mind to ingest. I don't fly anymore, for multiple reasons, but definitely to avoid the limitations of seeing the world thru yet another tiny frame. Peace.
"I wonder if we some how prefer the limited view a tiny window, or picture frame, or computer screen offer us to the vast and intimidating, but still limited, view the little windows in our heads offer us."
That's such an interesting thought, R. A., and it's beautifully expressed as well. Throughout this essay, I focus on the positive gifts that those tiny oval windows have to give us, so I appreciate you adding nuance to the conversation and pointing out their limitations, too. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you'll enjoy the next installments to come 🙏
Love this Candace. It brought back amazing memories especially the snippet in the ships around Singapore. Such a strong memory for me.
Thank you, Amanda! And I loved hearing that the Singapore illustration held such strong echoes of your own memories, thanks so much for sharing that 🤍
I have always been a window seat gal, and it paid off in spades during my flight from Kathmandu to Nepalganj when I got to spend the entirety of the flight staring at Mount Everest. Excited to read the remaining stories!
Wowww -- I'm pretty sure you just won the prize for best view ever from a window seat :) I can't even imagine the awe you must've felt then, looking down at Everest! Thanks so much for sharing that, Veena, and as always, for reading and being here 🤍
Love this perspective, Candace, can’t wait to read more! (And you know I adore your illustrations ;).
I certainly appreciate the window views and love taking pictures in the clouds. But I’m an aisle seat girl all the way. For me it’s not as much about the bathroom, which IS a good thing, as it is about the freedom. I get to go where I want when I want. I hate feeling stuck or constrained in general, and a sleeping giant next to me can certainly elicit those feelings! Funny, I never thought about it this way. Thanks for making me think! 💛
Lisa! It's so lovely to hear from you here, thank you so much for taking the time to say hello :) I loved hearing your perspective on aisle seats -- that isn't something I'd thought about it, but it makes so much sense. Sending love and light your way today, and hope you're doing great! 🤍
Window.
On those far too frequent flights when I left my family for places most people don't want to travel to, I would hide my face against the cold window and no one could see the tears in my eyes. On the return flights home weeks later, when I tried to make sense of the cruelty, the despair, and the suffering I witnessed in those places most people don't want to think about, and I a broken vessel because of what I witnessed, could hide my face against the window again as the tears came and I prayed for the world that somehow there might be room somewhere in human hearts for peace, goodwill, and grace.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such an open and honest comment -- there have been many plane windows that have also witnessed my own tears, and I'm grateful for the comfort they can offer us during harder journeys.
Sitting in a window seat on a Tupelov TU-154 (pro tip: avoid flying on a TU-154), I compressed myself against the window to avoid the sharp elbow jabs from the passenger sitting to my left. When I finally turned to see who was elbowing me, I looked into the Cabbage Patch doll face of a grinning, nearly toothless babushka who was offering me a sandwich made from thin lavash bread and shashlik (barbecued sheep butt fat). The grease was congealing into rivulets down her arm and pooling in her elbow. Her smile was so endearing and insistent that vegetarian me felt compelled to accept her hospitality. It is more noble to die from food poisoning than to reject the heartwarming generosity of a sweet little babushka.
"It is more noble to die from food poisoning than to reject the heartwarming generosity of a sweet little babushka." What words of wisdom to live by :) Thank you for reading, and for painting such a vivid picture of that memorable encounter.
It is not what goes into our mouth that condemns us; it’s the words that come out!
Love this. As an immigrant living on the opposite side of the globe from family, longhaul flights are a necessary evil in my life. But they have also been an incredible portal of meditative alone time where life reveals new insights, yearnings and wonderings as I hover above my daily life, suspended in a dream-like state for 24 hours. I look forward to reading more 😊
"They have also been an incredible portal of meditative alone time where life reveals new insights, yearnings and wonderings as I hover above my daily life..."
Vicki, I love that you just encapsulated in a single sentence what I hope to say in this entire essay series :) Thanks so much for reading and being here, and especially for sharing your poignant words with us this week 🤍