13 Comments

Incredible piece, Kelly, and thank you so much for the Shout Out. I always am amazed by the depth, richness, and fullness of your work - your art, music, and writing - so much to enjoy and savor. And as always, grateful for our connection here on Substack - and beyond!

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🫶🌻🫶 thank you, Rebecca. So glad we met!

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I found your post today to be one of the most interesting things I read today, and I read a lot. Thank you for giving us the gift of a little piece of your life in the time you spent composing this. The blink of an eye, timewise, that it took for me to write this comment is my thank you gift to you, Kelly. Be well.

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Goosebumps. THIS. This is why I’m here and why Substack is my venue. Thank you Susan A. 🌻🫶🌻

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Please keep writing and connecting, Kelly. I suspect you aren’t aware of that part of your gift where every brave step you take forward shines a light for someone else to take with them into the wilderness.

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❤️‍🔥love you. It is synergy. A loop between us.

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I need to reread this all year. 2024 was “annus horribilus” and that whole acceptance thing feels so far out of reach. But strangely, reading your article allowed me to touch it and feel it in my body, like a big sigh.

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Straight to my heart and back to you, Claire. 🫶

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Congratulations on all your subscribers in just half a year! Thank you for writing about scapegoating. I have a similar outcast role in my chemically-challenged family. Like you, I didn't swear off from seeing them. Two live a few hundred feet away through the forest. I healed off, though, and no longer seek out pain. For a long time, I've had to keep reminding myself of Byron Katie's "I've been spared." I also started a weekly women's recovery group two years ago, and the love in that room brightens the sky. I agree, too, that the residual effects of Covid and other toxic stuff remain.

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I ended up with no contact essentially nevertheless. Sounds like you’ve done the work, Kirie! I love hearing about your recovery group and bright sky. ❤️

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Even though family members live next door through the woods, and I greet them if we run into each other on the one-lane driveway, I don't seek out their company. It's been 14 years of abstinence, and I slowly let go of my self-pity, resentment, grief, and anger - about anyone and anything, if possible.

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I think I understand. I was 35 years estranged from my mother before she died . I am writing a memoir of sorts (poetry) but not an autobiography. My substack is relatively invisible but it gives me a place to work with the remains I can see so much more clearly now. I happy you're letting go and moving forward!

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Thank you, Ren! I’m so happy to hear this. It’s fascinating how we end up in unexpected places. Proves I can’t predict or predetermine the future and the power of staying in the present moment and responding to the conditions of this day versus the illusion that today’s answers and guidance are permanent. Taking action as guided today and remaining open that may change tomorrow.

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