So, when John Steinbeck sent his manuscript of East of Eden to his editor and friend Pascal Covici, he added the following dedication note and it has become the preface of the book. I think it's hauntingly beautiful and needs to be shared with an audience that might appreciate it as much as I do.
Dear Pat,
You came upon me carving some kind of little figure out of wood and you said,
“Why don’t you make something for me?”
I asked you what you wanted and you said, “A box.”
“What For?”
“To put things in.”
“What things?”
“Whatever you have.” You said.
Well here’s your box. Nearly everything I have is in it, and it is not full. Pain and excitement are in it, and feeling good or bad and evil thoughts and good thoughts—the pleasure of design and some despair and the indescribable joy of creation.
And on top of these are all the gratitude and love I have for you.
And still the box is not full.
John
edit: I have no idea how to format it properly, so bear with me
by Bumbelchen