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Jdee's avatar

How are there still people, far too many of them, known or unknown to those they are judging, who feel they have the right to infer by word or action that others are too much, that they don’t deserve their space and place, even if it’s just a spot on the sidewalk, or a food sensitivity etc. And then I think of women in Afghanistan who have just lost the right to speak in any way in public and my heart breaks for all those around the globe whose voices are silenced and not heard - and I’m grateful for your words and that your voice so often speaks for those who cannot

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Tortoise's avatar

My being aches for you, for the losses, near and far. We had an apartment fire when I was 10. The smoke damaged things; my dolls' clothing, still stained. I keep it because...if I don't I might forget...? The fear of being in that fire, of watching it, of what would become of us. Also: the list of things, in the restaurant. Resonant. "Don't eat in restaurants." Resonant. I have become used to having to assert myself re: food -- because I absolutely cannot eat something on my 'no go' list -- and having to act as if there is an opaque wall between me and the kitchen, the servers. Also become used to not being able to eat with others, like at work events especially; bring a wrapped protein bar, nibble while people are eating their bacon or chicken.

Please keep writing. It's been sanity-making for me.

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Helen Vitler's avatar

Thank you !

As @jdee already wrote…we are so glad very that you have wonderful things to share ..you have a voice , you are a creator of provocative further thought ….Keep on Voicing..x

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Joanie Madsen's avatar

I appreciate your writing and am eager to keep reading. You have such a unique and beautiful way of bridging an often huge chasm between what one is feeling and finding the words that create an image. I could feel myself standing beside you in the bathroom listening to what was being said. When will we ever truly NOT care? Each day to get a little closer to that, what others opinions and judgments are belong to them, not us. I still can be left like a deer in glaring headlights and I'm aware. How to say the 'thing' whatever it is, like 'Ouch.' That's it... Just 'Ouch.' A silver bullet I've heard, yet one that has remained forever in the chamber of my ammo. I can't wait to try it, yet hope I don't have to anytime too soon, because I'm still a bit chicken. Gentle care to you as you go about this huge task of itemizing everything lost in the fire, Amy. It sounds huge. 💜

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