Nothing is more real than death! I visited my beautiful neighbor last Tuesday and he was going into hospice Thursday. I did not want to breakdown in front of him. I got to tell him I loved him, kiss his hands and tell him I wanted peace for him. Than he unexpectedly gives me a gift saying “wherever I go I bring the light”. I left soon after, sat down in reception area and sobbed my heartfelt grief. So grateful I got to be with him and give and receive the gift of love.
What a lovely way to begin Easter Morn as well as the 4th Anniversary of Isolation Journals. Thank you. It’s been a tough week on a few counts: a sixth visit to a hospital since Jan. 1, because on a night out from autoimmune disease rehab, at a fancy restaurant no less, I had a total esophageal blockage on my first bite of lobster bisque with lobster bits. But my friends stuck with me through four hours of ER waiting room agony. I’ve learned my immunotherapy evoked vasculitis has probably spread to my throat. But MDAnderson will look into it in a week when I’m back out there. My daughter’s surgeons’ office was supposed to call Friday to tell me when my impaired and complicated child can have major sinus surgery to relieve a terrible long-covid respiratory condition. But it WILL eventuslly be scheduled and at least we have a plan.
So often the “yes, buts” come as a warning. But they have come as grace notes this week. I am
being well cared for in rehab by remarkable nurses and staff. My daughter’s job coach visited and shared her transcendent experience of being in the general admission front row at the Tabernacle when Jon performed. (Naw, I’m not jealous!) Other friends have come by with boiled custard and flowers. And one bore a huge arrangement of big ole New Orleans-style azaleas that I’ll plan to paint today.
I’ve have two inspired ideas this week which were so strong I’m certain they were from the universe or The Holy Spirit. (Choose whatever term you like. I personally feel close to the Heaven Descended Dove and call it Dovey.). I’m
It’s such a pleasure to be a part of this community, and it was and still is a huge honour to have written a prompt here too - to read everyone’s responses was an experience that will always stay with me. I also sometimes just have to drop out, perhaps without the time or capacity to tune in, but knowing that this community is here is so reassuring, and a constant source of inspiration. As for my blessings; after a few weeks of being very unwell, reading this with my cat stretched across me purring, a quiet Sunday morning and appreciation for the simple fact of being safe right now, when so many aren’t ❤️
I woke up this morning (at 2 AM) and thought, "It's Easter!" I had felt sad that it was almost Easter just last week. I thought back to childhood and coloring Easter eggs, the Easter bunny, the baskets, the marshmallow chicks. And I thought of our celebrations once I had my own children. Then I thought of the years I attended church (beginning at twenty-four after losing my brother), and how it made it so meaningful to add a church service to the rest of it...gathering with friends. But now, my children are all grown and scattered around the country with families of their own adding their own traditions to the day. We no longer attend a church after it seemed to us to go off the rails and we couldn't relate any longer, and here we are...two people from very different backgrounds with nothing to do on Easter (it seemed). Then I got two calls...one from new (ish) neighbors who invited us up to color Easter eggs (just for the fun of it!) and another from friends for brunch out. I had the thought, "I'm being watched over." And I so agree with Tamzin here...it IS such a pleasure to be part of this community. I feel such a connection in this place.
I woke up at my cousin’s home in Germany, to a houseful of kids hunting for Easter eggs. Now they’re all wired on chocolate and it’s bedlam and I’m loving every minute of it! Happy Anniversary to this community and Happy Easter to those that celebrate! 🌹🐣
Such a lovely post and prompt. I’m struck by the beauty in human resilience and to look how far we’ve all come! I have a daily gratitude practice where I count six blessings, which got me through three years of debilitating long Covid, residual grief from loosing two babies and my marriage years ago, and all the other life crap that happens. It really keeps me sane and happy as I can be. I also like to secretly send moody, rude people love, they are probably doing the best they can. Thank you for this! 🪷
I was born and spent most of my childhood in Bangladesh, where there aren’t four distinct seasons. So seeing seasons change, but especially witnessing the death-to-life transition from winter to spring, is astonishing—even after years of living in four-season climates. I also love Isolation Journals because of the joy and kindness it spreads. ♥️
I can still laugh (and I'm heavy into the grief of Mom dying)..and my little students say things every school day that make me roll in the sublime silly. They are little sage people, like Yoda. "Ms. Night (they have all shortened my name), this is my stuffy." I asked, "Oh, it's fabulous. Have you named it?" My little student paused and then said, "Duckus." I laughed so hard and said, "Best name ever!!!" I am not a user of the word "blessing." That's okay. I'm just happy to be here amongst others sharing.
I woke this morning to hear a kayak being gently pulled over stones to the edge of the lake. I rolled over in my sleeping bag and peered out to see a young boy off for a sunrise paddle. The grandeur of the mountains surrounding our small campsite in the alps of the South Island roused me from my bed and I dressed quickly and headed off for a walk. Yesterday I rode my bike for three hours along tracks foreign to me, but I felt at ease. I am blessed to be able to take trips into these ancient valleys and towering mountains, I feel they hold a wisdom that must be experienced to be absorbed. I am blessed to have returned this afternoon from a couple of days adventuring under my own power — walking, biking, swimming. I am blessed to travel safely alone to remote campsites. I am blessed to have been shown how to appreciate the land. I am blessed to have friends and family to share stories from adventures with. I am blessed to be able to turn to mountains and waterways when I am need of something to sooth my soul. And I am blessed to have space to share my musings here, and most importantly blessed to have a community of people so open to sharing their stories too, this collective wisdom is a gift. Aroha nui, much love.
Thank you for another wonderful prompt. I look forward to each Friday and Sunday because of the Isolation Journals. Mavis is right. There is always, always, always something to be grateful for. Even if it’s as simple as breathing. I struggle with depression and I can easily turn into a Nah Nah! This space has become a beacon for me. I’m so grateful for hearing Jon’s Grammy acceptance because it woke something in me, which led me to Suleika. I try to read as many responses as I can. Sometimes I only comment with a heart emoji because the words don’t come. But I care! I really do care! The Isolation Journals is a place to feel human again. Thank you for this space. I love you all.❤️🪶
Hello Suleika and company, I’m a sporadic participant in this process, but thankful and amazed with it, just the same. Last night as I was making dumplings with my partner and our daughter Suzanna, home from Vancouver for Easter. I noticed there was no music. Suzanna got right on her phone, playing some music to cook by. It felt good, nothing I recognized, just soft and soothing. I said what did you search on Spotify? She said this is my cooking playlist, I made it and labelled it…cooking. My goodness I loved her choices and we enjoyed the dumplings, experimenting with many parts of putting them together, straying from the recipe, (using what we had), hoping our pinches would hold, trying to keep the dumplings warm in the oven so I wouldn’t be back and forth from the stove as the next batches simmered. Now today is Easter and we’ll be cooking together again. I don’t know, I just wanted to appreciate this with you. Our dumplings were delicious in the end, and we ate heartily together.
I think blessings are contagious. We need them to counter the effects of adversity. At the end of 2020 , I set up a Caring Bridge to keep updates on my newly diagnosed AML away from the busyness and noise of many social media platforms. To my surprise, not only did friends and acquaintances respond, they did so with huge amounts of love, thought, care, wit and wisdom. They shared "ordinary" photos of things in their lives which were beautiful to look at. My family were quite overwhelmed by the comments and they have been a source of strength for all of us. Never underestimate the power of a kind thought or smile, written or verbal or even heard in birdsong.
Thanks to the Isolation Journals community for another source of support, interest and sharing of hearts and minds. On that note, I'll now get up and welcome the new day and eat porridge - my daily breakfast blessing. xxx
As the birds sing in this day, I am reminded of a brief sentence that I was given in a small plaque years ago. It didn’t include an attribution of any kind. I learned a few years later that it is a sentence in a verse from II Corinthians. “Behold, all things have become new.” In this season of my life and in this Spring Easter Sunday morning, as I await the sunrise above the distant mountains, I appreciate this sentence so much. It is a wonderful reminder of the possibilities that await in each moment of each day, with each breath. I appreciate the calm sense of peace and beauty that I find here. This is one of a very few places I can feel alive and safe from the sullied world of social media and I am forever grateful that I found this…or that The Isolation Journals found me. 🙏🏻 Sendjng blessings to this community and beyond.
I took a break from reading The Isolation Journal posts on Sundays but I am so glad I chose today to join back in to this community. Blessings contagion— what a beautiful thing! Thank you, Suleika and Mavis, for the reminders and for the writing/thinking prompt. I feel blessed to have a husband who tells me each day that I look beautiful (which, trust me, is not usually the case). I have two dear sons, one who calls to chat regularly, and one who’d rather send a text here and there, but keeps in touch just the same. I have an 87 year old mom and an 82 year old mother-in-law, both sharp minded and both pretty good with their iPhones as long as there’s a stylus nearby. I have many sweet friends and also a best friend I’ve known since first grade with whom I speak daily despite the many miles between us. Some late afternoons, we each pour a glass of wine and have happy hour together over the phone. I have good people in my life.
Truth be told, sometimes the aforementioned folks drive me crazy. Some days I feel disappointed or annoyed by one or another. I probably complain too much when this happens. I probably complain too much in general. But these people are my blessings, my loves and my life.
Again, thank you, Suleika and Mavis, for the reminders. May you feel the blessings contagion ripple in your direction.
Mar 31·edited Mar 31Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Carmen Radley
Two days ago, a close friend shared that someone we both loved was gone. Distance and complexity separated us for decades. Yet, our last meeting was powerfully positive. We moved on, as hopefully one does-destiny...I am sad that they left and I had no idea of their struggle. Yet, that we were able to resolve with affection and honesty is a blessing. Not all pages end so well nor should they-- however- we were of the best intentions with a mismatch too great --rest well poet, your words continue to inspire and if I listen- "I shall call the pebble Dare"
Nothing is more real than death! I visited my beautiful neighbor last Tuesday and he was going into hospice Thursday. I did not want to breakdown in front of him. I got to tell him I loved him, kiss his hands and tell him I wanted peace for him. Than he unexpectedly gives me a gift saying “wherever I go I bring the light”. I left soon after, sat down in reception area and sobbed my heartfelt grief. So grateful I got to be with him and give and receive the gift of love.
What a lovely way to begin Easter Morn as well as the 4th Anniversary of Isolation Journals. Thank you. It’s been a tough week on a few counts: a sixth visit to a hospital since Jan. 1, because on a night out from autoimmune disease rehab, at a fancy restaurant no less, I had a total esophageal blockage on my first bite of lobster bisque with lobster bits. But my friends stuck with me through four hours of ER waiting room agony. I’ve learned my immunotherapy evoked vasculitis has probably spread to my throat. But MDAnderson will look into it in a week when I’m back out there. My daughter’s surgeons’ office was supposed to call Friday to tell me when my impaired and complicated child can have major sinus surgery to relieve a terrible long-covid respiratory condition. But it WILL eventuslly be scheduled and at least we have a plan.
So often the “yes, buts” come as a warning. But they have come as grace notes this week. I am
being well cared for in rehab by remarkable nurses and staff. My daughter’s job coach visited and shared her transcendent experience of being in the general admission front row at the Tabernacle when Jon performed. (Naw, I’m not jealous!) Other friends have come by with boiled custard and flowers. And one bore a huge arrangement of big ole New Orleans-style azaleas that I’ll plan to paint today.
I’ve have two inspired ideas this week which were so strong I’m certain they were from the universe or The Holy Spirit. (Choose whatever term you like. I personally feel close to the Heaven Descended Dove and call it Dovey.). I’m
acting on them.
And LSU is still in the NCAA tournament.
What’s not to be thankful for?
It’s such a pleasure to be a part of this community, and it was and still is a huge honour to have written a prompt here too - to read everyone’s responses was an experience that will always stay with me. I also sometimes just have to drop out, perhaps without the time or capacity to tune in, but knowing that this community is here is so reassuring, and a constant source of inspiration. As for my blessings; after a few weeks of being very unwell, reading this with my cat stretched across me purring, a quiet Sunday morning and appreciation for the simple fact of being safe right now, when so many aren’t ❤️
I woke up this morning (at 2 AM) and thought, "It's Easter!" I had felt sad that it was almost Easter just last week. I thought back to childhood and coloring Easter eggs, the Easter bunny, the baskets, the marshmallow chicks. And I thought of our celebrations once I had my own children. Then I thought of the years I attended church (beginning at twenty-four after losing my brother), and how it made it so meaningful to add a church service to the rest of it...gathering with friends. But now, my children are all grown and scattered around the country with families of their own adding their own traditions to the day. We no longer attend a church after it seemed to us to go off the rails and we couldn't relate any longer, and here we are...two people from very different backgrounds with nothing to do on Easter (it seemed). Then I got two calls...one from new (ish) neighbors who invited us up to color Easter eggs (just for the fun of it!) and another from friends for brunch out. I had the thought, "I'm being watched over." And I so agree with Tamzin here...it IS such a pleasure to be part of this community. I feel such a connection in this place.
I woke up at my cousin’s home in Germany, to a houseful of kids hunting for Easter eggs. Now they’re all wired on chocolate and it’s bedlam and I’m loving every minute of it! Happy Anniversary to this community and Happy Easter to those that celebrate! 🌹🐣
Such a lovely post and prompt. I’m struck by the beauty in human resilience and to look how far we’ve all come! I have a daily gratitude practice where I count six blessings, which got me through three years of debilitating long Covid, residual grief from loosing two babies and my marriage years ago, and all the other life crap that happens. It really keeps me sane and happy as I can be. I also like to secretly send moody, rude people love, they are probably doing the best they can. Thank you for this! 🪷
I was born and spent most of my childhood in Bangladesh, where there aren’t four distinct seasons. So seeing seasons change, but especially witnessing the death-to-life transition from winter to spring, is astonishing—even after years of living in four-season climates. I also love Isolation Journals because of the joy and kindness it spreads. ♥️
I can still laugh (and I'm heavy into the grief of Mom dying)..and my little students say things every school day that make me roll in the sublime silly. They are little sage people, like Yoda. "Ms. Night (they have all shortened my name), this is my stuffy." I asked, "Oh, it's fabulous. Have you named it?" My little student paused and then said, "Duckus." I laughed so hard and said, "Best name ever!!!" I am not a user of the word "blessing." That's okay. I'm just happy to be here amongst others sharing.
I woke this morning to hear a kayak being gently pulled over stones to the edge of the lake. I rolled over in my sleeping bag and peered out to see a young boy off for a sunrise paddle. The grandeur of the mountains surrounding our small campsite in the alps of the South Island roused me from my bed and I dressed quickly and headed off for a walk. Yesterday I rode my bike for three hours along tracks foreign to me, but I felt at ease. I am blessed to be able to take trips into these ancient valleys and towering mountains, I feel they hold a wisdom that must be experienced to be absorbed. I am blessed to have returned this afternoon from a couple of days adventuring under my own power — walking, biking, swimming. I am blessed to travel safely alone to remote campsites. I am blessed to have been shown how to appreciate the land. I am blessed to have friends and family to share stories from adventures with. I am blessed to be able to turn to mountains and waterways when I am need of something to sooth my soul. And I am blessed to have space to share my musings here, and most importantly blessed to have a community of people so open to sharing their stories too, this collective wisdom is a gift. Aroha nui, much love.
Thank you for another wonderful prompt. I look forward to each Friday and Sunday because of the Isolation Journals. Mavis is right. There is always, always, always something to be grateful for. Even if it’s as simple as breathing. I struggle with depression and I can easily turn into a Nah Nah! This space has become a beacon for me. I’m so grateful for hearing Jon’s Grammy acceptance because it woke something in me, which led me to Suleika. I try to read as many responses as I can. Sometimes I only comment with a heart emoji because the words don’t come. But I care! I really do care! The Isolation Journals is a place to feel human again. Thank you for this space. I love you all.❤️🪶
Hello Suleika and company, I’m a sporadic participant in this process, but thankful and amazed with it, just the same. Last night as I was making dumplings with my partner and our daughter Suzanna, home from Vancouver for Easter. I noticed there was no music. Suzanna got right on her phone, playing some music to cook by. It felt good, nothing I recognized, just soft and soothing. I said what did you search on Spotify? She said this is my cooking playlist, I made it and labelled it…cooking. My goodness I loved her choices and we enjoyed the dumplings, experimenting with many parts of putting them together, straying from the recipe, (using what we had), hoping our pinches would hold, trying to keep the dumplings warm in the oven so I wouldn’t be back and forth from the stove as the next batches simmered. Now today is Easter and we’ll be cooking together again. I don’t know, I just wanted to appreciate this with you. Our dumplings were delicious in the end, and we ate heartily together.
I think blessings are contagious. We need them to counter the effects of adversity. At the end of 2020 , I set up a Caring Bridge to keep updates on my newly diagnosed AML away from the busyness and noise of many social media platforms. To my surprise, not only did friends and acquaintances respond, they did so with huge amounts of love, thought, care, wit and wisdom. They shared "ordinary" photos of things in their lives which were beautiful to look at. My family were quite overwhelmed by the comments and they have been a source of strength for all of us. Never underestimate the power of a kind thought or smile, written or verbal or even heard in birdsong.
Thanks to the Isolation Journals community for another source of support, interest and sharing of hearts and minds. On that note, I'll now get up and welcome the new day and eat porridge - my daily breakfast blessing. xxx
As the birds sing in this day, I am reminded of a brief sentence that I was given in a small plaque years ago. It didn’t include an attribution of any kind. I learned a few years later that it is a sentence in a verse from II Corinthians. “Behold, all things have become new.” In this season of my life and in this Spring Easter Sunday morning, as I await the sunrise above the distant mountains, I appreciate this sentence so much. It is a wonderful reminder of the possibilities that await in each moment of each day, with each breath. I appreciate the calm sense of peace and beauty that I find here. This is one of a very few places I can feel alive and safe from the sullied world of social media and I am forever grateful that I found this…or that The Isolation Journals found me. 🙏🏻 Sendjng blessings to this community and beyond.
Fridays are even sweeter seeing everyone’s joys! ❤️
I took a break from reading The Isolation Journal posts on Sundays but I am so glad I chose today to join back in to this community. Blessings contagion— what a beautiful thing! Thank you, Suleika and Mavis, for the reminders and for the writing/thinking prompt. I feel blessed to have a husband who tells me each day that I look beautiful (which, trust me, is not usually the case). I have two dear sons, one who calls to chat regularly, and one who’d rather send a text here and there, but keeps in touch just the same. I have an 87 year old mom and an 82 year old mother-in-law, both sharp minded and both pretty good with their iPhones as long as there’s a stylus nearby. I have many sweet friends and also a best friend I’ve known since first grade with whom I speak daily despite the many miles between us. Some late afternoons, we each pour a glass of wine and have happy hour together over the phone. I have good people in my life.
Truth be told, sometimes the aforementioned folks drive me crazy. Some days I feel disappointed or annoyed by one or another. I probably complain too much when this happens. I probably complain too much in general. But these people are my blessings, my loves and my life.
Again, thank you, Suleika and Mavis, for the reminders. May you feel the blessings contagion ripple in your direction.
Two days ago, a close friend shared that someone we both loved was gone. Distance and complexity separated us for decades. Yet, our last meeting was powerfully positive. We moved on, as hopefully one does-destiny...I am sad that they left and I had no idea of their struggle. Yet, that we were able to resolve with affection and honesty is a blessing. Not all pages end so well nor should they-- however- we were of the best intentions with a mismatch too great --rest well poet, your words continue to inspire and if I listen- "I shall call the pebble Dare"