I am so sorry for the loss and violence you and your community have faced. It is terrible, and words fail me.
This is a beautiful piece, thoughtful and thought provoking. Maybe you are a rose in that you are always present, the star of the floral world. Always participating.
I am a sunflower, big and bright and kind of silly. A flower that seeks out the sun.
Thank you so much for your presence and heart and for participating in the flower analogy question! I asked Michael about your sunflower preferences, they are so FUN and WARM and I learned from another writer here that when the sun is hidden or it’s night, sunflowers face each other instead. You and your writing are all of these things for us.
Dearest Kaylen. Sometimes I think the voices that are shared from the introverts are the most necessary because they invite people into a quiet world - no less valuable or impactful.
I am so deeply sorry for what your family and community have experienced. I still remember many incidents of my family members being targets of Islamic hate, myself included. What a travesty for your community, and what an embodiment of love the last acts of these beautiful souls were.
Wishing you all comfort amongst loving people during this times and peace be with you all. 💖
Thank you so much for sitting with my reflections and for understanding the depths of current events in your own experiences, B. I feel very held and safe in your corner. Xx
Today and every day you deserve to embrace both doors being opened for you!
Beautiful chaos is life and you write it like no one else. I had no idea how close this hit to home for you. Sending you much needed hugs and love. 💕🧡💕
This is the sweetest sentiment - does she prefer the brown center or the yellow? Maybe your favorite flower could be the opposite-colored center of hers? Our fellow writer pal around here (Mesa Fama) just wrote a really lovely poem about midnight sunflowers and how they face one another when the sun is not out. Talk about community.
You’re gonna send me down a rabbit hole! As far as I knew sunflowers only came with a brown centre… I wonder if down here in Australia that’s all we get… hmm… either way, Evie seems happy when I bring home the brown centred ones, but I’ll have to ask her now haha
They face each other when it’s dark! That’s so cool and metaphorically rich! I love it :)
No one asked you to heal in public — but I can speak for the entirety of the public when I say, we’re glad you are. You being brave enough to share your healing journey with us, helps all of us heal.
Also, you taught me a new word — epistolary! So cool!
I once read a book of all of Bukowskis letters to friends and editors and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I’m so very sorry to hear about what happened near you. And I appreciate that you’re getting the word out to those who may not have heard about it.
Sending you and your family and community lots of love. :)
You are the kind of friend who makes me feel safe enough to share these reflections out loud, and I don't think I could articulate how much that means to me. Thank you for being so brilliant in your own writing- I feel we can inspire and encourage one another by telling our truths. AND - I loved learning about "epistolary" too! C. Bukowskis is on my list to read, but I have not yet, as well as Salinger's Catcher in the Rye - it's supposed to be the "twin" of The Bell Jar. I've been looking for a copy around local book shops - maybe one day it will find me, and I'll be able to report back!
Thank you again for your kindness, as our community holds space, M.E. <3
This heart felt message - epistolary in effect, if not hand written and physically delivered - rang true for me.
My own reclusive nature was, for a long time, a cause of concern for me - and sadness - until I learned to accept that this is who I am. I enter into social events now with that greater inner confidence - and on my own terms - as an introvert putting on a brave face. Afterwards, I find solitude in order to recharge.
The terrible violence in your home city made the news here in Australia - extensively. I send my sympathy and support to yourself, your Husband and your community.
Dear Dave - thank you for affirming how it feels to move through life as an introvert, and for flagging solitude as a way to recharge - you put that into words so eloquently. I'd gladly share a corner at the party with you.
We appreciate your support and peaceful blessings through this time, and wish them for you & yours as well. <3
I am so sorry for the loss and violence you and your community have faced. It is terrible, and words fail me.
This is a beautiful piece, thoughtful and thought provoking. Maybe you are a rose in that you are always present, the star of the floral world. Always participating.
I am a sunflower, big and bright and kind of silly. A flower that seeks out the sun.
Evie!! Hi 🤍
Thank you so much for your presence and heart and for participating in the flower analogy question! I asked Michael about your sunflower preferences, they are so FUN and WARM and I learned from another writer here that when the sun is hidden or it’s night, sunflowers face each other instead. You and your writing are all of these things for us.
Thank you xx
Dearest Kaylen. Sometimes I think the voices that are shared from the introverts are the most necessary because they invite people into a quiet world - no less valuable or impactful.
I am so deeply sorry for what your family and community have experienced. I still remember many incidents of my family members being targets of Islamic hate, myself included. What a travesty for your community, and what an embodiment of love the last acts of these beautiful souls were.
Wishing you all comfort amongst loving people during this times and peace be with you all. 💖
Thank you so much for sitting with my reflections and for understanding the depths of current events in your own experiences, B. I feel very held and safe in your corner. Xx
Today and every day you deserve to embrace both doors being opened for you!
Beautiful chaos is life and you write it like no one else. I had no idea how close this hit to home for you. Sending you much needed hugs and love. 💕🧡💕
Thank you so very much, I am still learning how to be seen and how to receive - I can’t tell you how much your words hold me, KT. 💐🤍
Darling Girl,
You are always on my
Mind and in my heart. Thanking you for sharing yourself.
Love and hugs coming your way.
♥️♥️♥️
I'm so glad you're letting us see you, and so sorry about what happened at the mosque. 💓💓💓
😭 BonSol. Thank you for being the safest arms to rest in, and for receiving me through all my phases. We love you in LA from SD. <3 <3
Ohhh also, I forgot to say — I don’t know if I’ve ever considered what my favourite flower is. But I will now be giving it much deliberation. Hmm 🤔
I know Evie’s favourite flower is sunflowers 🌻 because I make it a point to get them for her every Valentine’s Day.
This is the sweetest sentiment - does she prefer the brown center or the yellow? Maybe your favorite flower could be the opposite-colored center of hers? Our fellow writer pal around here (Mesa Fama) just wrote a really lovely poem about midnight sunflowers and how they face one another when the sun is not out. Talk about community.
You’re gonna send me down a rabbit hole! As far as I knew sunflowers only came with a brown centre… I wonder if down here in Australia that’s all we get… hmm… either way, Evie seems happy when I bring home the brown centred ones, but I’ll have to ask her now haha
They face each other when it’s dark! That’s so cool and metaphorically rich! I love it :)
No one asked you to heal in public — but I can speak for the entirety of the public when I say, we’re glad you are. You being brave enough to share your healing journey with us, helps all of us heal.
Also, you taught me a new word — epistolary! So cool!
I once read a book of all of Bukowskis letters to friends and editors and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I’m so very sorry to hear about what happened near you. And I appreciate that you’re getting the word out to those who may not have heard about it.
Sending you and your family and community lots of love. :)
You are the kind of friend who makes me feel safe enough to share these reflections out loud, and I don't think I could articulate how much that means to me. Thank you for being so brilliant in your own writing- I feel we can inspire and encourage one another by telling our truths. AND - I loved learning about "epistolary" too! C. Bukowskis is on my list to read, but I have not yet, as well as Salinger's Catcher in the Rye - it's supposed to be the "twin" of The Bell Jar. I've been looking for a copy around local book shops - maybe one day it will find me, and I'll be able to report back!
Thank you again for your kindness, as our community holds space, M.E. <3
Yes! We can most certainly inspire and encourage each other by sharing our truths! What a wonderful way you put it. And what a wonderful thing to do.
Thanks friend :)
Dear Kaylen
This heart felt message - epistolary in effect, if not hand written and physically delivered - rang true for me.
My own reclusive nature was, for a long time, a cause of concern for me - and sadness - until I learned to accept that this is who I am. I enter into social events now with that greater inner confidence - and on my own terms - as an introvert putting on a brave face. Afterwards, I find solitude in order to recharge.
The terrible violence in your home city made the news here in Australia - extensively. I send my sympathy and support to yourself, your Husband and your community.
May peace and blessings, indeed, be upon us all.
Best Wishes - Dave
Dear Dave - thank you for affirming how it feels to move through life as an introvert, and for flagging solitude as a way to recharge - you put that into words so eloquently. I'd gladly share a corner at the party with you.
We appreciate your support and peaceful blessings through this time, and wish them for you & yours as well. <3