I read the Friday Exhale .. TO Do or To Don't story, hit Leave a comment in the email.. it took me here.. so I'll leave my To Don't here .. To don't beat myself up for staying too busy or being afraid to add to any noise on substack, as if my voice doesn't matter. My story matters .. so I'll add it to my To Do list for the weekend and week ahead ... to do by Wed. Or To Don't!
Your writing transported me back into my early childhood. I recall standing at the Woolworths soda counter. There were balloons tied to the posts, and if you ordered a banana split, they would give you one to pop. Inside was the price you would pay. A nickel was full price, but the slips of paper ranged from 1 cent to 5 cents, and on occasion, there would be a free one. Sometimes we just walked by and wished for one, but on occasion we stopped and got one. That memory reminded me of the love I felt for my Mother, especially when I got one-on-one time with her. I closed my eyes and visualized walking through the store and even going downstairs into the "bargain basement." Thank you, Chellie .
Another beautiful story that I so enjoyed reading. So interesting how different your perspectives were. I am somewhere right in between. I would love the solitude and picture the ivy and moss-covered cottage. Love a wood-burning stove, but the spiders...well. I would not kill them, but I would try to encourage them to go outside. I love how you write. Thank you!
Thank you so much Kathy. I don't really think I would kill any either...I would sweep them gently into the outside. I am a nature lover. I find magic in nature and many lessons in the quiet strength of its beauty. Thank you for reading and sharing your comments.
What a well-written, thoughtful piece you have done. And to think, I thought I was unique in rewriting it many times, moving thoughts around, and trying to shorten it so the reader did not lose interest. You made me feel normal, and I even patted myself on the back rather than the negative thoughts that I am not good at expressing myself. Often, I forgive and let myself move on, but the reasons still bounce around in my head. I have learned that putting it on paper makes a great deal of difference in truly letting go. Thank you for sharing your strength, hope, and experience. Thank you, Chellie
Kathy, you are most definitely not alone. Thank you for sharing this comment with me. Knowing that my writing touches even one person makes such a profound difference in my life. I wish you peace and kindness in 2026.
I read the Friday Exhale .. TO Do or To Don't story, hit Leave a comment in the email.. it took me here.. so I'll leave my To Don't here .. To don't beat myself up for staying too busy or being afraid to add to any noise on substack, as if my voice doesn't matter. My story matters .. so I'll add it to my To Do list for the weekend and week ahead ... to do by Wed. Or To Don't!
Christina, your voice matters…thank you for showing up here. I appreciate you.
Your writing transported me back into my early childhood. I recall standing at the Woolworths soda counter. There were balloons tied to the posts, and if you ordered a banana split, they would give you one to pop. Inside was the price you would pay. A nickel was full price, but the slips of paper ranged from 1 cent to 5 cents, and on occasion, there would be a free one. Sometimes we just walked by and wished for one, but on occasion we stopped and got one. That memory reminded me of the love I felt for my Mother, especially when I got one-on-one time with her. I closed my eyes and visualized walking through the store and even going downstairs into the "bargain basement." Thank you, Chellie .
Another beautiful story that I so enjoyed reading. So interesting how different your perspectives were. I am somewhere right in between. I would love the solitude and picture the ivy and moss-covered cottage. Love a wood-burning stove, but the spiders...well. I would not kill them, but I would try to encourage them to go outside. I love how you write. Thank you!
Thank you so much Kathy. I don't really think I would kill any either...I would sweep them gently into the outside. I am a nature lover. I find magic in nature and many lessons in the quiet strength of its beauty. Thank you for reading and sharing your comments.
What a well-written, thoughtful piece you have done. And to think, I thought I was unique in rewriting it many times, moving thoughts around, and trying to shorten it so the reader did not lose interest. You made me feel normal, and I even patted myself on the back rather than the negative thoughts that I am not good at expressing myself. Often, I forgive and let myself move on, but the reasons still bounce around in my head. I have learned that putting it on paper makes a great deal of difference in truly letting go. Thank you for sharing your strength, hope, and experience. Thank you, Chellie
Kathy, you are most definitely not alone. Thank you for sharing this comment with me. Knowing that my writing touches even one person makes such a profound difference in my life. I wish you peace and kindness in 2026.
Wonderful and profound piece of writing. Thank you.