Billy Coffey
Billy Coffey

Laurie’s search

August 12, 2009  

Her name is Laurie, and she’s one of the smartest people I know. Ivy League educated in both English and philosophy, well versed in both culture and the arts, and able to converse with the intellectual elite. Occupation? Professor. Politics? Liberal. Status? Content.

She is, in other words, my polar opposite.

But we do have one thing in common—we both seek to define life through the written word. Laurie is a writer, and a real one. She’s actually published books with covers and pages and everything, which puts her more than a few steps ahead of me.

Of course, she would be the first to admit that her books are at best difficult to find and nearly impossible to read. Laurie is an academic, after all. But when she asked if I would be willing to read a paper she was submitting to a prestigious philosophy journal, I said sure, why not? I love me some philosophy.

I took Laurie’s paper home and pulled it out while sipping a cup of coffee on the front porch. An Inquiry Into the God/Man Dynamic by Means of Employing the Art of Prose, said the title page. I read it twice (the second time aloud) and began wondering what I had gotten myself into. If the title was that complicated, what was the rest of it going to be like?

I never got a chance to find out. By the end of the first page, my brain hurt. By the end of the second, I was drooling. When my eyes began rolling into the back of my head at the fourth page, I decided I’d had enough.

I took the paper back to her the next day and confessed that while I was sure it was very informative, it was also just a tad over my head. Laurie seemed to take that as a compliment. Philosophers were supposed to be a tad over everyone’s head. “The search for truth and meaning requires a unique combination of vagueness and brains,” she told me. “It’s not for everyone.”

Oh.

“Are you writing?” she asked.

“Yes’m,” I answered.

“I think the writing process is fascinating. The synergy between mind and page overwhelms me. Does it you?”

“I guess so,” I said with a shrug. Mostly because I wasn’t sure what “synergy” meant. Though it did sound like a pretty cool name for a drink.

“It’s incumbent upon every writer to expose the hubris of our lives and reinstate the grandeur of the interaction between the divine and man.”
“I know,” I said, not knowing.

“My next series is going to attempt to discover a correlation between man’s longing to rediscover his true distinctiveness in the cosmic relationship and his struggle to adequately define his true nature,” she continued. Then, “What are you writing about?”

“Pretty much the same thing,” I said. “Throwing stuff in the creek by our house.”

Laurie sat at her desk, staring at me. She fidgeted with her glasses and cleared her throat, giving her precious moments to figure out how to respond.

“Oh,” she said. “Well, that’s…good.”

There was an uncomfortable pause in our conversation just then, which gave me the opportunity to invite Laurie back to her work. She did, thankful that I’d suggested it. And I left.

It was on my way out when I remembered two things. One was that much of what passed as philosophy had always confused me. The other was that deep down, I didn’t like Laurie at all.

Not because she wasn’t a nice person (she was) or because she was a tad arrogant (she was that, too), but because we differed on a fundamental belief when it came to finding truth and meaning in life. To her, such pursuits were limited to those with big brains and bigger vocabularies. To me, they were the property of us all.

We are built to seek. Made to explore. It’s a part of who we are. No other human attribute is as strong or as unyielding as that need to tread upon those undiscovered lands within us.

To Laurie, the search for truth and meaning was not unlike surgery—slow, precise, and very serious. But it was always bustling, random, and fun for me. I guess the fact that my search for truth and meaning resembled an Easter egg hunt pretty much described my personality.

In the end, I supposed that it really didn’t matter how we sought, so long as we did. And I had no doubt there was a place for the Lauries of this world. But I suspect there was a bigger place for the rest of us, the ones who believed truth could just as easily be found by throwing stuff into a creek than using big words no one can understand. The ones who believed God did not hide as much as He stood in front of us waving His arms.

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Comments

  • Bridget Chumbley

    Thanks for making me LOL…I think you are a 'real' writer Billy and I appreciate that I can understand and relate to what you have to share!

  • A Simple Country Girl

    Regarding your conversation with miss Laurie, how in the world did you remember all those fancy words strung out in doily-like sentences? Did you flip out your literary license on that segment or did you have a tape recorder in your pocket?

    Simple is as simple does. And I simply love the Lord and I am glad He loves me too! ;-)

  • Sarah Salter

    Good stuff, Billy!

    Ya know, I was kind of a goody-two-shoes in school. A really by-the-rules type person. In college, too. But philosophy was the one class that I ALMOST managed to get kicked out of. That was a great day in my personal academic history.

    I "get" your brand of philosophy way better than I'd "get" Laurie's. Good stuff, man. Good stuff.

  • T. Anne

    Too many three dollar words are usually a red flag for me. I think you're brilliant Billy. Love the end.

  • katdish

    So…does Professor Laurie read your blog? I'm guessing she does. Hi, Professor Laurie!

    And pull-eeze? Who says you're not a real writer?

    You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool me.

  • jasonS

    Great story & great truth. :)

  • Denise

    You are awesome.

  • Heather Sunseri

    That was wonderful, Billy. I love to chuckle out loud first thing in the morning when I'm drinking my coffee and everyone is still asleep in my house.

    “Pretty much the same thing,” I said. “Throwing stuff in the creek by our house.” – That's how I feel so often! Thanks for the laugh this morning.

  • Anne L.B.

    I don't mind the three dollar words. I even enjoy using them now and again. But truth isn't supposed to be complicated. It only proves elusive or complicated for those without a humble heart.

    One of my favorite verses is Jesus declaring, "I thank You Father that You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to babes."

    I like what you do here Billy. Profound Truth, Pure and Pain.

  • Melinda

    AMEN! I can't move my eyes from Point A to Point B without seeing the hand of God – whether they land on "purple mountain's majesty" or a post-hole digger!

  • Annie K

    The question is, Billy, has Laurie found the life she pursues in all of her fancy words?

    When it comes right down to it Billy, you have a far greater connection to the masses(regular folk) with your 'throw a few stones in the brook' outlook on life than all of Laurie's prose put together.
    (No offecse Laurie, but you've got to read some Dilbert or something.)

  • Kelly Combs

    Oh my gosh! Wow. You need to take her your Fred the bug story. Nevermind, she probably would NOT get it. But I thought it was GREAT!!!

    I guess it takes all kinds. Perhaps you are both looking for the same thing. The difference is that you have found it…and you're having fun along the way.

  • timwade

    Writing is all about the ability to place that which is in your mind into the mind of others through a written medium. I am the type of writer who used to want to be like Laurie, that is until a fourteen year old told me I sounded like Yoda. Now I want to be like you, Billy. What good is the ability to write if no one has a clue what you're talking about? Great story, greater lesson. I'm now a Billy Coffey fan.

  • timwade

    Writing is all about the ability to place that which is in your mind into the mind of others through a written medium. I am the type of writer who used to want to be like Laurie, that is until a fourteen year old told me I sounded like Yoda. Now I want to be like you, Billy. What good is the ability to write if no one has a clue what you're talking about? Great story, greater lesson. I'm now a Billy Coffey fan.

  • pam

    My favorite line: sounds like a good name for a drink. Thanks for giving us Laurie types a little perspective.

  • Jeanne Damoff

    This is so great! And actually, you were spot on when you told her the two of you were writing about the same thing. You may wear jeans and a cowboy hat instead of full academic regalia, but your metaphysics can stand up to anyone's.

    Keep throwing rocks in the creek, Billy. All your Kudzu League students eagerly await your next lecture. Or "talkin' to" as the case may be. I call dibs on the front row.

    Jeanne

  • Luke

    Yet another inspiring and insightful post, especially consider your "Throwing stuff in the creek by our house" post.

    ~Luke

  • Joanne Sher

    Oooooh boy. Funny and INCREDIBLY profound (probably more so than dear Laurie's paper). LOVE this.

  • Heart2Heart

    Billy,

    This is such a perfect example that there is something out there for everyone. Some people need to use large vocabularies and a whole lot of $5.00 words to get their point across while some can reach others through the simplicity of a honest down to earth answer about life.

    I am so glad the my reading preference is along the lines of what I can relate to and something that inspires me to become a better person.

    Your writing is like that, a breath of fresh country mountain air, and hers has been purified and filtered to make sure it doesn't' contain any allergens and it's as close to pure as it can be.

    They both are still just air. I just prefer country mountain air instead.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

  • lynnrush

    Wow. I loved this. Yes, I laughed because you're funny…seriously, you crack me up. But your truths hit me over the head when I need it.

    Great post, Billy!

  • Marsha

    Oh AMEN, Billy! Yes, He's waving His arms right in front of us in simple terms, not big words.

  • FaithBarista Bonnie

    This was h-i-l-l-a-r-i-ous.

    “It’s incumbent upon every writer to expose the hubris of our lives and reinstate the grandeur of the interaction between the divine and man.”

    LOL. Kill me!

    Yep, Jesus became the "Word" in everyday life: fished, went to dinner parties, worked out in the wood shop, cooked fish over a hot fire, and went around talkin' 'bout bread, wine and farming.

  • Liz

    Again, I am laughing and at the same time realizing how true this is. I think I will look up the word synergy in the good ole dictionary, because I am not absolutely sure myself. Reading this reminds me of one of my favorite mottos, "Keep it simple"
    Thanks for letting me join you at the creekbank today!

  • Melanie

    SERIOUSLY??? I like your philosophy better…..WAY better~

    Melanie

  • Blessed Mom of 8

    Oh Billy – this was awesome!

    How ever did you remember all the big words she threw at you?

    Sometimes I think the best answer is – 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (New International Version)
    27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him.

    Hugs from one rock thrower to another! Keep writing Billy – it is breathtakingly beautiful every time!

    Jill

  • Shanda

    I used to be able to enjoy reading deep philosophical thoughts…now it just makes my brain hurt too.

    It's like trying to read a foreign language that you have to de-code while you read. I'm willing to do that with the Word of God (Greek & Latin); but not much else holds my attention anymore.

    Don't write Laurie completely off though…God has an amazing way of using the simple to confound the wise. You may have been placed in her life for "such a time as this!"

    Just because you write in simple terms doesn't make you simple; it makes you deeply relatable.

  • Bradley J. Moore

    Synergy is a greatly over-used word in the world of business and consulting. I agree it would make a great name for a drink.

    I hope she at least as a sense of humor…

  • Nitewrit

    Billy,

    I always figured the purpose of words was to foster understanding between us. Some see words as a fence to keep others out. I'm mighty glad to read someone like you who I can understand.

    Larry E.

  • Caroline

    You are just my kind of guy! You get it! This piece is "moto moto" as we would say in my country! Thank you, I enjoyed it very much. Needed something to perk me up…one of those many days at work where I must bring Buster to mind.

  • KM Wilsher

    Brilliant! Bravo!

    "I wasn’t sure what “synergy”"
    meant loved that line!

    I had a blind date with a Laurie, well Lawrence, recently. I know the eyes rolling back in the head, teh goo filling my brain. . .I wonder if there will be a second date? :)

  • ~Brenda

    I am SO glad I found you. I love your writing, and I can't wait to see what Rachelle Gardner and you have up your sleeve. ;-)

    ~Brenda

  • Loren

    Billy,

    I have someone in my life JUST LIKE THIS! (my best friends son) He is one of the smartest young men I know and I was always petrified :) to have a conversation with him. His writing is just like Lauries but as he has gotten older traveled to China to teach English, and lived in hostels in foreign lands, gone on the Jesus walk he has calmed just a bit. His head is not way up in the clouds and he is learning that we the common people need to understand and he has brought it down a notch. I pray that this will continue because the Lord loves these children and they can be very affective if they seek to glorify and know HIM and not their own intelligence.

  • elaine @ peace for the journey

    Fabulous creek-throwing thoughts, Billy; per usual. God just standing here, waving his arms … ready to be found! A beautiful visual for me this night.

    peace~elaine