Thank you, Emily! Look out for Mamie & her vulture-scaring air rifle. Also our friend in Asheville managed to paint his light black with a telescoping brush (I think).
What makes me feel overwhelmed and angry? Ooph, how much space do I have for this answer? Right now I feel overwhelmed by the juggling act of being a parent, partner, and provider - and by the lack of support and acknowledgment I get for this work. I'm angry that the holidays feel like the "mom show" - a time for mom to bring the magic, and for everyone else to wait for it. I'm angry about all the emotional labor I do in my home living with two men -- one old, one young - who both act out and are disregulated on a regular basis. I'm angry that I seem to be the only one in my house who has the capacity to choose silence, and to listen, and to empathize. And I'm angry at myself for the choices I made that got me here. Oh - and Merry Christmas, and I miss you.
Thanks, Belle- well said as always. What happened in Moore Co. was awful and I share your desire to know the facts and that justice be served. My awareness of such vulnerabilities has me clinging to pen and paper (address book/ work/ letters) as opposed to something out in the cloud and hard to access when the lights go out! Once again, Mamie made me laugh and I send big cheers! she is my role model- xo
After returning home last night after an 11 day sojurn in the ICU with my husband, with an illness that began with what was probably a post COVID heart attack in October, I found hope in the Jan 6 hearings today. As important as they were, we each episodically drifted off, simply due to sleep deprivation. How happy I was to awaken and find that this was real....what will come of it remains to be seen but here is truth summarized and portrayed for America and for history. This is a moment children will learn about for generations, I hope. A similar accounting for environmental destruction and for the "otherization" of non-dominant Americans is overdue too. Perhaps there is a glmmer of hope for those as well.
This book you recommend, Belle, will be my thanks to the people who stepped up to donate blood to replace what Mark required. Also, at a time when hospitals and health care workers have been demonized, I can't say enough about the excellent and compassionate clinical care he received, even when the staff looked exhausted and when the ER looked like a war zone due to the number of sick people there, many of whose families were angry and hostile.
Let's hope our better selves and our best citizens lead us to a place that celebrates truth and honors the environment, human difference and integrety as opposed to power, profit and lies.
Becky, I'm so glad to hear that Mark's care has been good, but sorry to hear what an ordeal you've both been through. I was shocked to hear some of the things that my dad's hospital dialysis nurse told us about what nurses in particular have been enduring through COVID. Though I guess I shouldn't have been--I read the news, etc. But hearing first-hand from someone who is kind, patient, etc--you think, how can this be? Though the fact that your kids are both pursuing medicine gives me hope. Oh--and another book that I wonder if you've read is The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels--it's set in 1984, during the AIDS crisis, in small-town Ohio. It's really excellent.
Mamie! I give you permission to shoot out our streetlight! And done Belle I will read. Get well Bea. Xo
Thank you, Emily! Look out for Mamie & her vulture-scaring air rifle. Also our friend in Asheville managed to paint his light black with a telescoping brush (I think).
What makes me feel overwhelmed and angry? Ooph, how much space do I have for this answer? Right now I feel overwhelmed by the juggling act of being a parent, partner, and provider - and by the lack of support and acknowledgment I get for this work. I'm angry that the holidays feel like the "mom show" - a time for mom to bring the magic, and for everyone else to wait for it. I'm angry about all the emotional labor I do in my home living with two men -- one old, one young - who both act out and are disregulated on a regular basis. I'm angry that I seem to be the only one in my house who has the capacity to choose silence, and to listen, and to empathize. And I'm angry at myself for the choices I made that got me here. Oh - and Merry Christmas, and I miss you.
I miss you too, Krista! We need to take a log-throwing walk. xo
Thanks, Belle- well said as always. What happened in Moore Co. was awful and I share your desire to know the facts and that justice be served. My awareness of such vulnerabilities has me clinging to pen and paper (address book/ work/ letters) as opposed to something out in the cloud and hard to access when the lights go out! Once again, Mamie made me laugh and I send big cheers! she is my role model- xo
Thank you, Jill! xoxo
After returning home last night after an 11 day sojurn in the ICU with my husband, with an illness that began with what was probably a post COVID heart attack in October, I found hope in the Jan 6 hearings today. As important as they were, we each episodically drifted off, simply due to sleep deprivation. How happy I was to awaken and find that this was real....what will come of it remains to be seen but here is truth summarized and portrayed for America and for history. This is a moment children will learn about for generations, I hope. A similar accounting for environmental destruction and for the "otherization" of non-dominant Americans is overdue too. Perhaps there is a glmmer of hope for those as well.
This book you recommend, Belle, will be my thanks to the people who stepped up to donate blood to replace what Mark required. Also, at a time when hospitals and health care workers have been demonized, I can't say enough about the excellent and compassionate clinical care he received, even when the staff looked exhausted and when the ER looked like a war zone due to the number of sick people there, many of whose families were angry and hostile.
Let's hope our better selves and our best citizens lead us to a place that celebrates truth and honors the environment, human difference and integrety as opposed to power, profit and lies.
Becky, I'm so glad to hear that Mark's care has been good, but sorry to hear what an ordeal you've both been through. I was shocked to hear some of the things that my dad's hospital dialysis nurse told us about what nurses in particular have been enduring through COVID. Though I guess I shouldn't have been--I read the news, etc. But hearing first-hand from someone who is kind, patient, etc--you think, how can this be? Though the fact that your kids are both pursuing medicine gives me hope. Oh--and another book that I wonder if you've read is The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels--it's set in 1984, during the AIDS crisis, in small-town Ohio. It's really excellent.
Look at our Bea fly! Thanks for this one, looking forward to reading your essay <3
so glad you said angry mamas and not moms!
remember it was “mothers against drunk driving! not moms
haha Mamie
i just read” we were warned…” and i am overcome with such hopefulness
FTT continues to amaze and inspire
despite the challenges we all face
thank you for championing all great and small
Thank you!