Cait- hope you feel better and sorry for the loss of your grandmother.
Maddie. This was so beautiful . So much resonates. I also love the Kahil Gibran works (used pieces in my own eulogy when my mom died)- but this one I hadn’t heard or at least remembered before. “The clock only spins one way” will be spinning in my brain for a while. Thank you for sharing your tender and profound piece with us.
Paula, I'm deeply sorry for your loss; thank you for sharing your experience here.
I'm glad that Gibran's words (the ones above, and the ones you used in your mom's eulogy) can be a small source of solace and consolation. I revisit this poem whenever the grief feels too big. ❤️
If you figure out the secret to shedding these kinds of possessions with minimal heartache, please report back and let us all know—it's challenging work! Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Jude. I'm wishing you luck on your own journey!
I love how you told this story that only you could tell. I hope you tell us about the time you put on those leopard print heels and kept on walking! ❤️
Well, this comment brought a huge smile to my face! Michelle, I fully intend on doing just that...and writing about it. Thank you for the beautifully-worded vote of confidence! 🤗
One of my favorite things about writing is taking a super-specific personal experience and using it as a bridge to connect with others, whether or not they've been through the exact same thing. So I feel very "seen" by your note—thank you, Sarah!
This was gorgeous. When a piece can take you through multiple emotions-thats my kind of writing.
"One of these boxes contains her toucan earrings, her faux-fur capelet, her floral-print velvet cardigans. Reader: I wear neutrals." -that line made me belly laugh out loud.
"Maybe it’s time to become my mother’s daughter." - this line moved me to tears.
Thank you Maddie for being so generous with your story. 🖤
As someone who enjoys *your* gorgeous writing so much, I'm especially bowled over by this feedback. Thank you so much, Jenovia! (I absolutely loved writing that line about our decidedly differing approaches to style. 😂)
Hope you feel better soon, Cait. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Maddie - Such a beautiful emotional post. Thank you so much for sharing.
What resonated most with me is - "For a long time, I thought of life—not just drawers and closets—as something that could, and should, be tidied." Isn't that always the case when we think about how we want to live our lives, who we want to share it with and what boundaries to draw. But it is never that black and white. I went through something similar when my dad passed away over a decade ago and I still see so much of his "forces-of-nature" in me and I appreciate and embrace them more now versus fighting them.
It means so much to hear which bits resonated with you, Neetu! I'm especially grateful for Cait's editorial eye in that section.
I'm so sorry for your loss—and I'm heartened to hear that you've come to appreciate what you inherited from your dad. ❤️ You capture such an interesting tension in your comment: the inclination to draw boundaries in some aspects of life, while also embracing the messy, challenging aspects of others. That duality fascinates me!
Oh my gosh Maddie this is so moving. Tearing up on the El re: the line “Maybe it’s time to become my mother’s daughter”. Can’t wait to see how the next step of your journey unfolds!
Carolyn, my aim was definitely *not* to make you cry on the El...but I'm so glad this one struck a chord. Thank you! (And FWIW, you've been the biggest cheerleader of my writing from Day One—which would make my mom very happy indeed. 🥰)
Oh wow, this was really beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.
I'm touched to hear this, Amelia! I so appreciate your kind words.
I absolutely love this <3
Sarah, this means the world to me. Thank you ❤️
Thank you for this tender story.
I'm so glad to know that it resonated with you, Chris. Thank you!
Cait- hope you feel better and sorry for the loss of your grandmother.
Maddie. This was so beautiful . So much resonates. I also love the Kahil Gibran works (used pieces in my own eulogy when my mom died)- but this one I hadn’t heard or at least remembered before. “The clock only spins one way” will be spinning in my brain for a while. Thank you for sharing your tender and profound piece with us.
Paula, I'm deeply sorry for your loss; thank you for sharing your experience here.
I'm glad that Gibran's words (the ones above, and the ones you used in your mom's eulogy) can be a small source of solace and consolation. I revisit this poem whenever the grief feels too big. ❤️
Touching and beautifully written. Thank you for this.
Oh, Jolene, you are so welcome. Your note means the world to me!
❤️
Oh this is riveting. A beautiful account. We are beginning to shed the ‘surplus to requirements
‘ and of course it’s hard, and overdue. Especially when each of us thinks differently about possessions. Thank you so much for sharing this piece.
If you figure out the secret to shedding these kinds of possessions with minimal heartache, please report back and let us all know—it's challenging work! Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Jude. I'm wishing you luck on your own journey!
I love how you told this story that only you could tell. I hope you tell us about the time you put on those leopard print heels and kept on walking! ❤️
Well, this comment brought a huge smile to my face! Michelle, I fully intend on doing just that...and writing about it. Thank you for the beautifully-worded vote of confidence! 🤗
Thank you sharing and feel better!
I deeply appreciate your kindness, Kristen!
Maddie, this is beautiful. I appreciate your courage in writing these words that I'm sure we can all relate to in some way or another.
One of my favorite things about writing is taking a super-specific personal experience and using it as a bridge to connect with others, whether or not they've been through the exact same thing. So I feel very "seen" by your note—thank you, Sarah!
This was gorgeous. When a piece can take you through multiple emotions-thats my kind of writing.
"One of these boxes contains her toucan earrings, her faux-fur capelet, her floral-print velvet cardigans. Reader: I wear neutrals." -that line made me belly laugh out loud.
"Maybe it’s time to become my mother’s daughter." - this line moved me to tears.
Thank you Maddie for being so generous with your story. 🖤
As someone who enjoys *your* gorgeous writing so much, I'm especially bowled over by this feedback. Thank you so much, Jenovia! (I absolutely loved writing that line about our decidedly differing approaches to style. 😂)
That line was SPECTACULAR!!! I’m laughing again. And thank you, Maddie!!! That means so much.
This was a beautiful story, thank you for sharing 🤎
Kaitlyn, thank you for reading—and for popping by to say that it touched you! ❤️
Hope you feel better soon, Cait. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Maddie - Such a beautiful emotional post. Thank you so much for sharing.
What resonated most with me is - "For a long time, I thought of life—not just drawers and closets—as something that could, and should, be tidied." Isn't that always the case when we think about how we want to live our lives, who we want to share it with and what boundaries to draw. But it is never that black and white. I went through something similar when my dad passed away over a decade ago and I still see so much of his "forces-of-nature" in me and I appreciate and embrace them more now versus fighting them.
It means so much to hear which bits resonated with you, Neetu! I'm especially grateful for Cait's editorial eye in that section.
I'm so sorry for your loss—and I'm heartened to hear that you've come to appreciate what you inherited from your dad. ❤️ You capture such an interesting tension in your comment: the inclination to draw boundaries in some aspects of life, while also embracing the messy, challenging aspects of others. That duality fascinates me!
Beautiful story! Your voice and your mother both shine through so clearly. Thank you ❤️
What a lovely compliment, Jill! Thank *you.* ❤️
This was so lovely, thank you
I'm so happy to hear this! Thanks, Shanna.
This was absolutely beautiful! 💗💗
Mackenzie, you brought a smile to my face! Thank you! 🤗
Oh my gosh Maddie this is so moving. Tearing up on the El re: the line “Maybe it’s time to become my mother’s daughter”. Can’t wait to see how the next step of your journey unfolds!
Carolyn, my aim was definitely *not* to make you cry on the El...but I'm so glad this one struck a chord. Thank you! (And FWIW, you've been the biggest cheerleader of my writing from Day One—which would make my mom very happy indeed. 🥰)