My latest writing workshop, "We Can Write Hard Things" was postponed because I lost my daughter to cancer last week. I struggled with postponing it, but it was a good idea. But I am still holding my writing groups and writing about Annie every day because I know doing what I love will pull me along. Reading this essay affirmed that for me...thank goodness. There is so much sadness for so many people, I am grateful when I can stumble across something that makes me feel joy--like Annie's smile or the strength of others. Thank you so much for this one. xo
Speechless with happiness for Evelyn and Tom, and gratitude for this reflection on the sustaining power of joy in the hardest times. It is not an abdication of responsibility, as so many think. I hope Evelyn’s beautiful story opens minds.
Thank you, Evelyn, for sharing this story. I actually really appreciate following the bread crumbs, knowing that the novel you were writing had to go, though it had served you well in its way. And that you were able to take pieces of the emotional content of it and your experience and weave something new out of it in the aftermath of that terrible time. It's so tempting to be precious about our words. To think that everything we write needs to "go somewhere." We forget that sometimes writing just heals us and helps us go on. That's its purpose, not publication.
Jane, your posts always offer a nugget that speaks to my heart. This post with Evelyn Skye was particularly poignant and timely. Thank you for all that you do. And thank you to Evelyn for sharing her story with vulnerability and grace.
This is beyond beautiful. Thank you , Evelyn; thank you Jane.
"It’s difficult to believe that you deserve even brief sparks of joy when others are suffering. But the truth is, those small moments rejuvenate your soul, and then your heart is more able to give love and care when the people you love need it."
I can't stop crying after reading this beautiful essay, Evelyn and Jane. Thanks for sharing it with us; it's such a heartfelt journey. She is so right; it's in the hardship that we need something to get us going, or else we will fail the ones we support and need. Thus, it is not selfish to do something for us during these times, as that will KEEP US GOING.
Thank you Evelyn. I posted my first intro as to Why? I decided to sink my toe in this pond. My husband's health is declining fast. Vascular Dementia, recuperating from Bladder Cancer, Polimyalgia Rheumatica, Hearing Loss... I'm no spring chicken either. I decided I need a creative outlet for my Speculative Fiction short stories and other op/eds.
Reading your post was just what I needed "to hear" to give me hope to carry on. ♥️
Absolutely beautiful. Got me super teary eyed thinking of how precious it all is and a powerfully gentle reminder to nurture ourselves even through hardship so can keep loving everyone around us. Thank you.
Tears in my eyes. Happy tears because being a writer means everything, absolutely every centipede-leg thing, is grist for the mill and leavens the work. Sometimes becomes the work. Thanks for sharing your source of inspiration, and so glad Tom got another chance at joy thanks to someone else's lungs...
My latest writing workshop, "We Can Write Hard Things" was postponed because I lost my daughter to cancer last week. I struggled with postponing it, but it was a good idea. But I am still holding my writing groups and writing about Annie every day because I know doing what I love will pull me along. Reading this essay affirmed that for me...thank goodness. There is so much sadness for so many people, I am grateful when I can stumble across something that makes me feel joy--like Annie's smile or the strength of others. Thank you so much for this one. xo
Speechless with happiness for Evelyn and Tom, and gratitude for this reflection on the sustaining power of joy in the hardest times. It is not an abdication of responsibility, as so many think. I hope Evelyn’s beautiful story opens minds.
Thank you, Evelyn, for sharing this story. I actually really appreciate following the bread crumbs, knowing that the novel you were writing had to go, though it had served you well in its way. And that you were able to take pieces of the emotional content of it and your experience and weave something new out of it in the aftermath of that terrible time. It's so tempting to be precious about our words. To think that everything we write needs to "go somewhere." We forget that sometimes writing just heals us and helps us go on. That's its purpose, not publication.
What an uplifting piece... This is by far the best piece of psychology and self improvement I've read in a while that resonates. Thank you both.
What a beautiful post and beautiful way to approach life and all its challenges and horrors. Thank you for sharing this ❤️
Jane, your posts always offer a nugget that speaks to my heart. This post with Evelyn Skye was particularly poignant and timely. Thank you for all that you do. And thank you to Evelyn for sharing her story with vulnerability and grace.
Very moving.
This is beyond beautiful. Thank you , Evelyn; thank you Jane.
"It’s difficult to believe that you deserve even brief sparks of joy when others are suffering. But the truth is, those small moments rejuvenate your soul, and then your heart is more able to give love and care when the people you love need it."
How indeed.
What a beautiful interview! Evelyn sparks so much goodness.
I can't stop crying after reading this beautiful essay, Evelyn and Jane. Thanks for sharing it with us; it's such a heartfelt journey. She is so right; it's in the hardship that we need something to get us going, or else we will fail the ones we support and need. Thus, it is not selfish to do something for us during these times, as that will KEEP US GOING.
Thank you Evelyn. I posted my first intro as to Why? I decided to sink my toe in this pond. My husband's health is declining fast. Vascular Dementia, recuperating from Bladder Cancer, Polimyalgia Rheumatica, Hearing Loss... I'm no spring chicken either. I decided I need a creative outlet for my Speculative Fiction short stories and other op/eds.
Reading your post was just what I needed "to hear" to give me hope to carry on. ♥️
https://open.substack.com/pub/janinevicicampbell/p/why?r=ez84n&utm_medium=ios
Absolutely beautiful. Got me super teary eyed thinking of how precious it all is and a powerfully gentle reminder to nurture ourselves even through hardship so can keep loving everyone around us. Thank you.
So beautiful. Got choked up at the end. There is beauty in grief, I learned, however painful. Sending lots of love.
Tears in my eyes. Happy tears because being a writer means everything, absolutely every centipede-leg thing, is grist for the mill and leavens the work. Sometimes becomes the work. Thanks for sharing your source of inspiration, and so glad Tom got another chance at joy thanks to someone else's lungs...
Inspiring. Beautiful. Real. 👏
Just wow. Nuggets and slivers. Sharing like this is so precious in its helpfulness to others. 🙏