The face of a child line got me. So much this. Last year when I was in a precarious situation (relationship) I asked god what to do and he said “stay in it” and it wasn’t the relationship he meant. It was the awkward tension itself. To not dip out early when things get weird. This is the math I’m doing too. It takes so much work and a courage worth fighting for. Hug.
Too funny…I was just talking about this with a woman in my neighborhood Thursday. We had all these ideas that, as our children grew up, married, had kids, they would all come home for the holidays and we would be one happy mess; people sleeping everywhere, playing games until the wee hours, just being together in so much love. But everyone wants to be home for the holidays. We are divorced so they have three to four schedules to try to fit into. No one’s work schedules (or life schedules) correspond. Our condos are small and not well laid out for big gatherings. And so, we cook the food and take it with us. We move between their homes (and schedules) to accommodate them. And we just make the very best of it because, after all, we are still in their lives and making the memories is the most important thing!
Hope you are feeling better! I so enjoy reading your work. I just bought my daughter in law all three of your books because she has enjoyed the snipets I sent to her. Where/when are you and Emily going to be in Indiana? I thought I read that somewhere but can’t find the info. We are in Michigan and may be able to come!
Love this. Influenza sucks but this gift is good…have felt you are a friend from afar for at least 7 years since book 1. Unexpected gifts and what I call “an answer to a prayer I wasn’t praying” are in the mix of my urban life when I am present and paying attention…as is sickness…and all this life is. Thanks for bearing witness for me to walk alongside you from urban ST PAUL! 🩷
So sorry you have been so sick. Blah! Hope the weekend gave you extra rest and you’re feeling closer to yourself. Being. Let it be. There has been so much loss and illness and the world feels on fire constantly. Deep breaths and present where I am in this very moment. Thanks, Shannan.
You’re so right about being so sick as lonely and boring. Lying in bed for days on end, too sick to keep your eyes open to watch a screen. Your mind your only company. It’s the worst!
So glad you’re on the mend. Love it when you write about something that’s so relatable.
Thanks for this beautiful reflection. There is so much to be learned from illness when we slow down enough to see it. Look up COVID’s effect on T cells and the immune system, it’s why so many people are getting sicker more often. Our family still masks with KN95s and haven’t been sick in a long time. Sorry you’ve had a rotten week. Hope you’re on the mend soon!
Hey Shannan. Get well. What's your favourite non-TS Jack Antonoff track? I'm going De ja vu by Olivia Rodrigo, The Melting of the Sun by St Vincent, or Gaslighter.
Also, everybody listen to what Shannan is saying about Past Lives.
Hope you feel better soon! This was revolutionary. I will be sitting with this a long time and thinking about it more while I help my husband recover from an accident that resulted in emergency shoulder surgery. Let it be and make the best of it. The being is the meaning. Got it. Hope you have a better week and as always, thank you. Your words are a lifeline. 🩵
Ugh; being sick is just never, ever fun. I have a movie recommendation for you while you’re still in recovery mode. It’s gentle and kind with a beautiful story and just enough edge, and is the perfect “I don’t feel up to much” kind of flick. It’s called Driveways and I think it’s right up your alley. I loved it. (Several years ago I recommended The Florida Project to you).
So sorry you’ve been rotten sick! I love what you said about letting things be! I’ve come to realize I’ve spent too much time trying to get OUT of current moments rather than let them be as they are and see Gods grace. Thanks for the reminder.
I hope every turn in the direction of better multiplies your strength, Shannan. You were in the big-time yuck! I’m sharing a song that’s been making we weep on the regular. I think it’s the meaning of life question from the angle of “But, isn’t there more?” https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=unz25Xlr-ik
Thanks for this beautiful reflection. Enneagram ones hate the truth you have named (which is how I know it is something to pay attention to!) I love your writing and appreciation this perspective so much. Hope you are feeling well soon. Be kind to yourself!
Ugh! The flu is the worst. Be patient with yourself - sometimes it takes a few weeks to get back to full strength. Also—it hasn’t affected your ability to write the truth in beautiful ways. ❤️
This is so timely for me because I have been sick with the flu all week and trying really hard not to feel sorry for myself. I just said to myself because I’m alone, or maybe God, I’d sell my soul for a night of sleep. Hope he doesn’t take me up on it. This what it is! And yes I’ve had unexpected time to read my next book club book…when I can concentrate! Be well!
The face of a child line got me. So much this. Last year when I was in a precarious situation (relationship) I asked god what to do and he said “stay in it” and it wasn’t the relationship he meant. It was the awkward tension itself. To not dip out early when things get weird. This is the math I’m doing too. It takes so much work and a courage worth fighting for. Hug.
Too funny…I was just talking about this with a woman in my neighborhood Thursday. We had all these ideas that, as our children grew up, married, had kids, they would all come home for the holidays and we would be one happy mess; people sleeping everywhere, playing games until the wee hours, just being together in so much love. But everyone wants to be home for the holidays. We are divorced so they have three to four schedules to try to fit into. No one’s work schedules (or life schedules) correspond. Our condos are small and not well laid out for big gatherings. And so, we cook the food and take it with us. We move between their homes (and schedules) to accommodate them. And we just make the very best of it because, after all, we are still in their lives and making the memories is the most important thing!
Hope you are feeling better! I so enjoy reading your work. I just bought my daughter in law all three of your books because she has enjoyed the snipets I sent to her. Where/when are you and Emily going to be in Indiana? I thought I read that somewhere but can’t find the info. We are in Michigan and may be able to come!
Love this. Influenza sucks but this gift is good…have felt you are a friend from afar for at least 7 years since book 1. Unexpected gifts and what I call “an answer to a prayer I wasn’t praying” are in the mix of my urban life when I am present and paying attention…as is sickness…and all this life is. Thanks for bearing witness for me to walk alongside you from urban ST PAUL! 🩷
So sorry you have been so sick. Blah! Hope the weekend gave you extra rest and you’re feeling closer to yourself. Being. Let it be. There has been so much loss and illness and the world feels on fire constantly. Deep breaths and present where I am in this very moment. Thanks, Shannan.
You’re so right about being so sick as lonely and boring. Lying in bed for days on end, too sick to keep your eyes open to watch a screen. Your mind your only company. It’s the worst!
So glad you’re on the mend. Love it when you write about something that’s so relatable.
Thanks for this beautiful reflection. There is so much to be learned from illness when we slow down enough to see it. Look up COVID’s effect on T cells and the immune system, it’s why so many people are getting sicker more often. Our family still masks with KN95s and haven’t been sick in a long time. Sorry you’ve had a rotten week. Hope you’re on the mend soon!
Hey Shannan. Get well. What's your favourite non-TS Jack Antonoff track? I'm going De ja vu by Olivia Rodrigo, The Melting of the Sun by St Vincent, or Gaslighter.
Also, everybody listen to what Shannan is saying about Past Lives.
Hope you feel better soon! This was revolutionary. I will be sitting with this a long time and thinking about it more while I help my husband recover from an accident that resulted in emergency shoulder surgery. Let it be and make the best of it. The being is the meaning. Got it. Hope you have a better week and as always, thank you. Your words are a lifeline. 🩵
Ugh; being sick is just never, ever fun. I have a movie recommendation for you while you’re still in recovery mode. It’s gentle and kind with a beautiful story and just enough edge, and is the perfect “I don’t feel up to much” kind of flick. It’s called Driveways and I think it’s right up your alley. I loved it. (Several years ago I recommended The Florida Project to you).
So sorry you’ve been rotten sick! I love what you said about letting things be! I’ve come to realize I’ve spent too much time trying to get OUT of current moments rather than let them be as they are and see Gods grace. Thanks for the reminder.
Get better soon!!
Oof. So sorry you’ve been sick! Also it’s me, I’m the friend who says the funny thing to “break the tension.” I’ll work harder to just sit with it.
I hope every turn in the direction of better multiplies your strength, Shannan. You were in the big-time yuck! I’m sharing a song that’s been making we weep on the regular. I think it’s the meaning of life question from the angle of “But, isn’t there more?” https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=unz25Xlr-ik
Thanks for this beautiful reflection. Enneagram ones hate the truth you have named (which is how I know it is something to pay attention to!) I love your writing and appreciation this perspective so much. Hope you are feeling well soon. Be kind to yourself!
Ugh! The flu is the worst. Be patient with yourself - sometimes it takes a few weeks to get back to full strength. Also—it hasn’t affected your ability to write the truth in beautiful ways. ❤️
This is so timely for me because I have been sick with the flu all week and trying really hard not to feel sorry for myself. I just said to myself because I’m alone, or maybe God, I’d sell my soul for a night of sleep. Hope he doesn’t take me up on it. This what it is! And yes I’ve had unexpected time to read my next book club book…when I can concentrate! Be well!
“Let it be.” ♥️ So sorry you’ve been so sick. Feel better! 🙏🏻