Good work, Kelly! Recovery is real...it takes time, there's twist and turns and many switchbacks, and sometimes I lose my faith for a little while then reawaken to the truth that without connection to something greater than myself, I will not thrive, and so when I get knocked down, I may lick my wounds for a day or two or three, and then I kick myself gently in the ass, get back up and carry on. Self-forgiveness is essential! xoxo
I always find it interesting how many people don’t know the god bit was added in the 1950s. We’re a rather forgetful n bunch as a whole. And I know, I know, it’s by design, so much of the rewriting and washing out.
Another fabulous post, my friend. You’ve lived so much life. ♥️
Your recall of detail stimulates my disordered memories. The flag, the pledge, reading. So many shared points of connection among diverse lives. How brave to choose between two hells—the one they constructed for you and the streets outside. In the latter you sharpened your wits, learned to question, and woke up to read the kool-aid label and think, I’m not drinking this shit. True, how the depths continue to call us to grow. I’ve been skeptical of the Democratic Party as long as I have been skeptical of the Republican one, though as an Independent voter I tend toward Democratic candidates. Harris was authentic and my appreciation of her joy vibe has not diminished. Either way, this complex over America exacerbated by a focus on what divides us would have remained as problematic if she’d have won. Oh, but the pain of loss is real. Joy is real, too and I’m going to follow its lead. As a Dream Tender, I note the dichotomies and seek that in between space where art, music, dreams, and deep imaginative reflection takes us. The little a-ha moments we can give each other when writing from our depths will build up into shifts of magnitude. I love your fierce exploration of Self, and your extended hand to remind us we are not broken; we are growing. Each at our own pace and depths. Beautiful writing, too the way you weave threads of thought and stories. And the Highwomen song! That’s going in my Dreaming Playlist.
Woah. Thank you for this close read! What a gift. Yes I have been an independent since I started voting (voted for candidate not party) but registered Dem at Obama to vote in primary. I realize now I drank the DP koolaid in reaction to GOP. I loved Kamala but realize the DP is as problematic as GOP (in different ways) I didn’t think critically about democrats because I was desperate to stop GOP. Beneath it all we have a systemic problem. Still I’ll vote Democrat any day over GOP at this point. But they let us down completely the past decade in their hubris and hierarchical choice of candidates (up until Kamala)
I digress. No sides. Love that in between space where transmutation happens and real life calls.
I love deep writing, Kelly. It's like I'm a creature in the depths, nerding out when another writer descends. "Hey! I know it's dark down here but I see your illumination!"
I'm not sure you drank the koolaid, maybe you sipped it and thought it okay. Then the reports came out, the finger pointing followed, and the Dems revealed their blind spots. You spit it out quickly, lol. and remembered why you vote Independent (I did the same party switch temporarily to be able to vote for Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic primaries). It's an interesting time to not be married to a political identity! But all fodder for the depths where we also witness the collective unconscious and ponder these living images.
I cherish your voice and how you use it, Kelly, thank you sincerely. The line about belief vs. experience and how experience matters so much more... I wish people understood this. I'm not listening to perspectives from people who do nothing but repeat what they hear on social media. What have you been through and what has it taught you? This is everything.
Good work, Kelly! Recovery is real...it takes time, there's twist and turns and many switchbacks, and sometimes I lose my faith for a little while then reawaken to the truth that without connection to something greater than myself, I will not thrive, and so when I get knocked down, I may lick my wounds for a day or two or three, and then I kick myself gently in the ass, get back up and carry on. Self-forgiveness is essential! xoxo
So many twists and turns. So grateful for the grounding of recovery! Thank you, Nan for reading!
Sending love your way, my dear. Working on the 500 word submission. I'll send it soon! Thanks for the open call. It's a great idea. xo
Yay!!!! Looking forward to it, Nan. 🫶
I always find it interesting how many people don’t know the god bit was added in the 1950s. We’re a rather forgetful n bunch as a whole. And I know, I know, it’s by design, so much of the rewriting and washing out.
Another fabulous post, my friend. You’ve lived so much life. ♥️
I have. It is good to connect with a kindred soul.
I wouldn’t have gotten over the missing Sandy either.
Yeah, it was traumatic. And loved that dog. We all did but she was really her dog. Wtf was our mother thinking!
Ah, Kelly, she wasn’t thinking.
Your story kept me riveted from start to finish. Amazing. The poem left me speechless. Well done.
Thank you! Appreciate your read and response very much.
Thanks for the shoutout, too!
Your recall of detail stimulates my disordered memories. The flag, the pledge, reading. So many shared points of connection among diverse lives. How brave to choose between two hells—the one they constructed for you and the streets outside. In the latter you sharpened your wits, learned to question, and woke up to read the kool-aid label and think, I’m not drinking this shit. True, how the depths continue to call us to grow. I’ve been skeptical of the Democratic Party as long as I have been skeptical of the Republican one, though as an Independent voter I tend toward Democratic candidates. Harris was authentic and my appreciation of her joy vibe has not diminished. Either way, this complex over America exacerbated by a focus on what divides us would have remained as problematic if she’d have won. Oh, but the pain of loss is real. Joy is real, too and I’m going to follow its lead. As a Dream Tender, I note the dichotomies and seek that in between space where art, music, dreams, and deep imaginative reflection takes us. The little a-ha moments we can give each other when writing from our depths will build up into shifts of magnitude. I love your fierce exploration of Self, and your extended hand to remind us we are not broken; we are growing. Each at our own pace and depths. Beautiful writing, too the way you weave threads of thought and stories. And the Highwomen song! That’s going in my Dreaming Playlist.
Woah. Thank you for this close read! What a gift. Yes I have been an independent since I started voting (voted for candidate not party) but registered Dem at Obama to vote in primary. I realize now I drank the DP koolaid in reaction to GOP. I loved Kamala but realize the DP is as problematic as GOP (in different ways) I didn’t think critically about democrats because I was desperate to stop GOP. Beneath it all we have a systemic problem. Still I’ll vote Democrat any day over GOP at this point. But they let us down completely the past decade in their hubris and hierarchical choice of candidates (up until Kamala)
I digress. No sides. Love that in between space where transmutation happens and real life calls.
I love deep writing, Kelly. It's like I'm a creature in the depths, nerding out when another writer descends. "Hey! I know it's dark down here but I see your illumination!"
I'm not sure you drank the koolaid, maybe you sipped it and thought it okay. Then the reports came out, the finger pointing followed, and the Dems revealed their blind spots. You spit it out quickly, lol. and remembered why you vote Independent (I did the same party switch temporarily to be able to vote for Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic primaries). It's an interesting time to not be married to a political identity! But all fodder for the depths where we also witness the collective unconscious and ponder these living images.
Yes yes yes
And I was never long on the kool aid. 😉
A quick swish and spit, lol.
I cherish your voice and how you use it, Kelly, thank you sincerely. The line about belief vs. experience and how experience matters so much more... I wish people understood this. I'm not listening to perspectives from people who do nothing but repeat what they hear on social media. What have you been through and what has it taught you? This is everything.