Beautiful words, Hannah! I have been struggling with writing for my PhD, and this put so much back in perspective for me. And remembering your mother and many Thanksgivings together as well. A flood of wonderful memories AND helpful advice all rolled into one beautiful essay! Thank you!!
I really, really love this. These ideas of what makes a “real writer” get embedded in us very young, and someone writing openly about their journey like this--the joy and the struggle--makes me want to cheer.
I cried just now reading this because of the things you said about your mom, knowing she's passed on to the other side. I suddenly got hit with a deep sorrow for that horrible future time when I'll lose mine. If I were a writer, I'd feel similarly in that I'd want my mom to enjoy my material in a meaningful way. She taught me how to write, and in my "Corporate America" career it served me quite well. I don't know what I'll do when she's gone, we're so close. I just hope I can pull through OK. It sucks that I know with certainly that that day will come, but I trust that soon these feelings of deep sorrow will pass and I'll only focus on the time I have left with her. Every moment of that is precious to me. Thanks for clicking the publish button, SIL.
Hannah my friend, your writing is amazing or should I say “Groovy”💕
Beautiful words, Hannah! I have been struggling with writing for my PhD, and this put so much back in perspective for me. And remembering your mother and many Thanksgivings together as well. A flood of wonderful memories AND helpful advice all rolled into one beautiful essay! Thank you!!
I really, really love this. These ideas of what makes a “real writer” get embedded in us very young, and someone writing openly about their journey like this--the joy and the struggle--makes me want to cheer.
I cried just now reading this because of the things you said about your mom, knowing she's passed on to the other side. I suddenly got hit with a deep sorrow for that horrible future time when I'll lose mine. If I were a writer, I'd feel similarly in that I'd want my mom to enjoy my material in a meaningful way. She taught me how to write, and in my "Corporate America" career it served me quite well. I don't know what I'll do when she's gone, we're so close. I just hope I can pull through OK. It sucks that I know with certainly that that day will come, but I trust that soon these feelings of deep sorrow will pass and I'll only focus on the time I have left with her. Every moment of that is precious to me. Thanks for clicking the publish button, SIL.
I’m so happy you are doing this! I feel connected to you and have lots of conversations with you!
So thoughtful, compelling and so you.
So beautifully written, Hannah. I'm definitely a grateful reader who looks forward to your letter every other week. ❤️