I was already obsessed with how good this essay was when MY OWN NAME popped up in it! You've done such alchemy here, Sarah. I feel like I need to chew some baby aspirin just to get over reading about your ordeals. And yet you dealt with them both in life and in prose so beautifully I feel like I've just been through a car wash of the soul. Thank you. And I wish you so many metaphorical green lights and cozy firesides from here on in. xoxoxoxox
Rowan!!! YOUR name here. THESE beautiful generous words...they kinda turned me into a human hot air balloon (like one of the pretty ones from New Mexico not just a person filled with hot air). I read them and felt like I was flying out of my car, high above the city, waving wildly, grinning, eyes glistening feeling the cold wind on my cheeks...the sudden thought that I could actually be the embodied definition of the word soaring or had somehow turned into a cheesy sonet about joy (it was cringe worthy but delightful). I may not come down for a while. Thank you for taking the time and thank you for the words YOU put out in the world. Seeing someone create, write, and speak, WHILE PARENTING (a special club), it carries me along and I look to you often..as you do it with wry humor and grace...my two favorite things. Solidarity, warmth and deep deep appreciation my friend. Also, a hug that maybe lasts a minute too long. xoxoxoxxoxox
Wow... I’ve enjoyed reading this update even though I feel an ache for you, I want to comfort and support you in this scary adventure. I see you with your forehead to the ground and I feel like I’ve been there in that pose before, a prayer pose- surrender, hitting a bottom of sorts, a breaking point. Right now I’m reading “I’ll Show Myself Out” by Jessi Klein, and the hero’s journey shows up a lot in her essays, realizing that becoming a mother is her own hero’s journey. The fear and obstacles are all part of it. Glad you didn’t die! Jeez!
Thank you!! I feel comforted and supported just reading your response! And you're exactly right there has been a good deal of breaking and that was what I was trying to share, that there has to be a breaking up of the old self when you set out to do something new, it should in fact be expected, it's all a part of it - most definitely in motherhood right?!!! OMG, in motherhood so much surrender happens and breaking up of the old self. I even had a story come to me about how going to the grocery store can be a hero's journey hahaha - often I head out and want to turn back...we're always on some sort of quest, big and small, and they change us in a myriad of ways. Now, I'm eager to read Jessi's book!!
I was already obsessed with how good this essay was when MY OWN NAME popped up in it! You've done such alchemy here, Sarah. I feel like I need to chew some baby aspirin just to get over reading about your ordeals. And yet you dealt with them both in life and in prose so beautifully I feel like I've just been through a car wash of the soul. Thank you. And I wish you so many metaphorical green lights and cozy firesides from here on in. xoxoxoxox
Rowan!!! YOUR name here. THESE beautiful generous words...they kinda turned me into a human hot air balloon (like one of the pretty ones from New Mexico not just a person filled with hot air). I read them and felt like I was flying out of my car, high above the city, waving wildly, grinning, eyes glistening feeling the cold wind on my cheeks...the sudden thought that I could actually be the embodied definition of the word soaring or had somehow turned into a cheesy sonet about joy (it was cringe worthy but delightful). I may not come down for a while. Thank you for taking the time and thank you for the words YOU put out in the world. Seeing someone create, write, and speak, WHILE PARENTING (a special club), it carries me along and I look to you often..as you do it with wry humor and grace...my two favorite things. Solidarity, warmth and deep deep appreciation my friend. Also, a hug that maybe lasts a minute too long. xoxoxoxxoxox
Wow... I’ve enjoyed reading this update even though I feel an ache for you, I want to comfort and support you in this scary adventure. I see you with your forehead to the ground and I feel like I’ve been there in that pose before, a prayer pose- surrender, hitting a bottom of sorts, a breaking point. Right now I’m reading “I’ll Show Myself Out” by Jessi Klein, and the hero’s journey shows up a lot in her essays, realizing that becoming a mother is her own hero’s journey. The fear and obstacles are all part of it. Glad you didn’t die! Jeez!
Thank you!! I feel comforted and supported just reading your response! And you're exactly right there has been a good deal of breaking and that was what I was trying to share, that there has to be a breaking up of the old self when you set out to do something new, it should in fact be expected, it's all a part of it - most definitely in motherhood right?!!! OMG, in motherhood so much surrender happens and breaking up of the old self. I even had a story come to me about how going to the grocery store can be a hero's journey hahaha - often I head out and want to turn back...we're always on some sort of quest, big and small, and they change us in a myriad of ways. Now, I'm eager to read Jessi's book!!
Also did you know Margaret Atwood has a Substack and her picture is a snail too?!?
Whaaaaaaaaat?? No, I did not know this. And I LOVE her to pieces. 🫠