We don't really think much about having "senses" though we depend on them to give us the full measure of our lives. Imagine living without hearing music, without ever seeing the sunset, or without savoring the delicious shock of ice cream.
These sensations are integral to living, so much so that when one is lost, we desperately seek to replace it. Think of the amputee back from Iraq, still "feeling" in his brain the phantom sensation of bending the knee, and struggling every day to regain mobility using prosthetic limbs.
The life of the legendary Helen Keller is a source of inspiration to everyone. Pictured on our cover is the beautiful new statue honoring her in the U.S. Capitol, reminding everyone who passes that courage, determination, and a compassionate teacher can overcome what seemed a hopeless life deprived of the fruits of fully engaged senses.
All of the senses originate in the brain, that mysterious seat of both the concrete and the ethereal. I guess it would be fair to say that in this issue we've tried to consider both. As usual, we have an overall theme, and we've attracted some very interesting writers to examine each concrete sense. As for the ethereal, those feelings that aren't specific to one of the five senses, there's plenty of that in the story of life and death experiences.
Longleaf award winner John Fleming tells a harrowing tale of being an eyewitness to death and new contributor Christian George brings a fresh voice, countering with a story of the life-after-death experiences of Don Piper and Bill Weise.
We continue the Longleaf tradition of welcoming new writers: Lulu Buffett, who needs no introduction to Gulf Coast regulars, Joan Chrissos, food writer at the Miami Herald, and Nicholas Sparks, whose dozens of books and films have touched audiences the world over. Managing Editor Theresa Shadrix gives us a visit with the irrepressible Rick and Bubba who represent the ephemeral "sense of humor."
And we have our old friends Sherry Kughn, Lisa Berryhill Worsham, and Loyd McIntosh, further illustrating the power of the senses. Last, (but not least!) Longleaf's double award winner, Brandt Ayers, joins up with our friend Daniel Wallace of Big Fish fame, Mike Stedham, and Pat Kettles in a whole section of "nose" stories, which will give you a new perspective on the effects of the proboscis in life, wine, and music. And football.
We hope this exuberance of reading will enliven your hibernation and heighten your senses, bringing you back to Longleaf for our "Adventure" issue in the Spring.
Josephine Ayers, Editor-in-Chief
