Thanks for this, Naomi—thoughtful (full of thinking) as always but wrapped in that amazingly colorful quilt of Chiang Mai. I should have gone, i never shall, but you take me right into the feeding, feeling heart of it.
Dear Naomi, you brave woman, keep on keeping on, keeping on writing it out, keep on connecting to people, and keep seeking out the joy in small things. You feel flat, but what you write is far from it. You're incredibly generous to be sharing your grief and struggle this way with us. Sending love and strength, L (and P, too)
Naomi, I remember so clearly the look on your face when I came back from the Chiang Mai shopping area, having bought myself a selection of knives to take home, and you said to me, “You bought ONE larb knife???!!”
I went straight back the next day to get a partner for it 😂.
Thanks Lesley. I remember last winter's intensity very well, of course deepened by the daily trips for six weeks for Rashid radiation treatments. And this winter sounds even more cold and polar vortex-y. Big hugs to you both.☀️☀️🧡
Hi Naomi, I'm glad you are away now and hope in early May you will be home, as I will be in Toronto for a few days and hope we can see one another. It's nice to stay in touch via Substack but will be nicer to sit in a cafe and talk, like we did in Saratoga. I read everything you write here. Heartfelt, heartbreaking, beautiful and honest. Thank you for it.
Ah Naomi, although strangers, I still feel I can say this from one who has a bit of experience with grief. It's not about me, here, nor my story, so I'll only say that I have an inkling.
"Just get over it" isn't a stellar example of self-compassion. I've been told that myself. Not helpful. I don't know how to soothe your "flatness", I do know that already I am in awe with how you still taste the world, who surrounds you and what you seek out. The generosity of your sharing of yourself here is so full of light. Healing takes time (I say to myself also.).
Echoing your thoughtful remarks, as a retired therapist, i would gently encourage Naomi not to try to short circuit her grief. Everyone grieves in their own way and on their own timetable, and the only way through it is through it. It's often an impulse to minimize our own suffering by comparing it to others' who have it worse. Pain, whether physical or emotional, is never easy. But it is real, and deserves to be what it is.
You're righ! You're right! You're right! We have to live! And what and how you write about is how it's done.
Thankyou thank you. That's how I feel. The writing is like tilling and tending the garden: necessary and also life-giving
Thanks for this, Naomi—thoughtful (full of thinking) as always but wrapped in that amazingly colorful quilt of Chiang Mai. I should have gone, i never shall, but you take me right into the feeding, feeling heart of it.
Thanks so much Nancy. Big hugs
Dear Naomi, you brave woman, keep on keeping on, keeping on writing it out, keep on connecting to people, and keep seeking out the joy in small things. You feel flat, but what you write is far from it. You're incredibly generous to be sharing your grief and struggle this way with us. Sending love and strength, L (and P, too)
Thank you Laura (and Peter!). It's very helpful to try to express what's going on, rather than just living inside it.
Such a beautiful and poignant piece of writing from Naomi. She turns her grief into a gift to all of us.
Thank you.
Thanks Carol 🧡☀️
Thank you Naomi, your words are feeding our souls and help remind us to live without never feeling our lost loved are never truly far.
Thank you☀️☀️
Naomi, I remember so clearly the look on your face when I came back from the Chiang Mai shopping area, having bought myself a selection of knives to take home, and you said to me, “You bought ONE larb knife???!!”
I went straight back the next day to get a partner for it 😂.
Feeling somewhat flattened myself of late, this is exactly the post I had to read. Thank you dear friend for the endless inspiration ❤️🙏
Thanks Lesley. I remember last winter's intensity very well, of course deepened by the daily trips for six weeks for Rashid radiation treatments. And this winter sounds even more cold and polar vortex-y. Big hugs to you both.☀️☀️🧡
Hi Naomi, I'm glad you are away now and hope in early May you will be home, as I will be in Toronto for a few days and hope we can see one another. It's nice to stay in touch via Substack but will be nicer to sit in a cafe and talk, like we did in Saratoga. I read everything you write here. Heartfelt, heartbreaking, beautiful and honest. Thank you for it.
Yes I expect to be home in May ..and I really look fyto having time with you Pam. ☀️☀️
Very fine.
Thanks!
☀️☀️☀️☀️🪷🪷🪷🪷🌊🌊🌊
Ah Naomi, although strangers, I still feel I can say this from one who has a bit of experience with grief. It's not about me, here, nor my story, so I'll only say that I have an inkling.
"Just get over it" isn't a stellar example of self-compassion. I've been told that myself. Not helpful. I don't know how to soothe your "flatness", I do know that already I am in awe with how you still taste the world, who surrounds you and what you seek out. The generosity of your sharing of yourself here is so full of light. Healing takes time (I say to myself also.).
Echoing your thoughtful remarks, as a retired therapist, i would gently encourage Naomi not to try to short circuit her grief. Everyone grieves in their own way and on their own timetable, and the only way through it is through it. It's often an impulse to minimize our own suffering by comparing it to others' who have it worse. Pain, whether physical or emotional, is never easy. But it is real, and deserves to be what it is.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Thank you Corrine