Destiny Typewriter
To open a heart to magic
January 30, 2022
Hello You,
This week’s instalment of The Cure for Longing features “Destiny Typewriter,” a curiously strange advice column from the world of my novel-in-progress. I hope you enjoy it!
On a cold Saturday morning the third winter of the pandemic, a sleek, black typewriter sits on a small table in the back corner of the Sea Lark Cafe. It wasn’t there yesterday and no one knows how it got there, but head barista Darcy Lyons is obsessed. Two Instagram posts, three bathroom breaks and a meandering trip to the supply closet later, Darcy is invested. This is because the 1931 Smith-Corona flat top is not alone. To the left of the typewriter is a small stack of notepaper. To the right is a battered metal cash box with a lock in the front and slot in the lid. Pinned to the wall above the table is a notice that reads: Destiny Typewriter - Type a question. Place it in the box. Destiny will answer.
Q: Dear Destiny,
My life has been dull, meaningless and without wonder for what feels like forever. How do I change that?
Looking for Magic
A: Dear Looking,
Here is a remedy. To Open a Heart to Magic: First, take a breath. Then, take heart. Then take a walk in a graveyard after a snowfall that was perfect in its kindness - soft underfoot, untroubled by the wind. Find a stone so old, so lichen checked, so worn by time and touch that the names and dates and sentiments carved upon it are difficult to discern. It’s here you must bend, take snow in your hands and smooth it over the surface of the stone, gently, mindfully, completely, as if you’re wiping away steam from a mirror in order to reveal yourself. For a few moments, all will be clear - the words on the stone; the path to wonder in your life.
To find magic, you must make what was hidden, seen; you must find forgotten places and fill them with light.
Yours, Destiny
P.S.
In anticipation of this publishing this post, I decided to take Destiny’s advice myself. Honestly, I just wanted to document the beautiful way that new fallen snow can reveal the past. It wasn’t until I got home and started searching out the woman whose grave I’d chosen, that I discovered her birthday (not included on the stone) was the same day I’d chosen to make the trek to the graveyard. Happy 246th birthday, Lucy Harris Cox. Thanks for the magic.
Next time
Due to yet another winter storm yesterday, the plans for next week’s post are still swirling around in my brain. Possible topics include: an ode to a 1970s crock pot (with recipe for brownies); excerpts from my Little Book of Strange; or perhaps another Q & A from Destiny Typewriter. The later could be up to you…see below on how to be a part of it!
Thank you
Thank you for reading The Cure for Longing, it means the world to me. Do you have a question for Destiny Typewriter? Feel free to leave it in the comments, OR click the button below to leave your question in a voice message. Besides being super helpful to my work, the voice messages will hopefully become part of another short audio experiment in a future newsletter. Until next time, may you find magic along the way.
Dear Destiny; When...oh when will it happen in our world that all persons are treated as equal, as valued, as respected, as the next--regardless of age, gender, race, creed, colour, or who you love? Or where you live. Just everyone as a 'person'?
I discovered your newsletter through the Writers Office Hours. I loved your piece. We're all looking for a bit of magic in our lives so this post just hit home! :)