I figure the honor is mine, and the thanks are mine to give to you, in supporting your Substack - your writing is always a beautiful touchstone for me. You make this planet better by being on it, and doing what you do, so brightly and beautifully! Wishing you, Sherrod and all of your family the happiest of New Years, with the hope that 2024 brings you all the good stuff.
Once again, you write to the very heart of things. To my heart. Thank you. Your column reminds me of something the writer Louise Penny’s character Chief Inspector Armand Gamache says are four sentences we should learn which lead to wisdom: "I don't know. I need help. I'm sorry. I was wrong.” Reminding myself of these helps to right-size me.
As usual, I found much I could identify with in this. I am the oldest and remember so well being put in charge of my sister and then my brother seven years later. I was to be an example for them which made it difficult to live up to at times. I was a kid too! Guess what profession I chose. Yes nurse and it took several years of therapy spread over years to stop feeling responsible for everyone and everything, both personally and professionally. I did gain much from being the oldest, such as an ability to accept responsibility and excel in my profession. So there was an upside, the challenge was to find the balance. Happy New Year.
Every.single.time I read one of your articles (stories, really), it is not enough. The end comes too quickly and I want more Connie. You really need to put all of these together and publish them in book form so more people would get to enjoy your wit, your graciousness and your delightful style. Keep hearing the voices in the hat, Connie! And, on second thought, taking time to collate your articles into a book, well, that might take you from actually writing more. It’s a conundrum for sure.
Lovely way for me to end this year - reading this column. I'm grateful for you and your willingness to write honestly, clearly, and with great emotion and hope. Peace and love to you and yours in 2024.
There is always something that strikes home in your words. After 15 years of working in the same place and after 39 years in the same profession, I was told this past Thursday that because of budget cuts my position had been eliminated. Connie, today your words "If you’ve spent your life insisting that you are the strongest person in every room--always the helper, never the helped—some people may ignore your distress signals. So, if that’s you strutting your stuff like Wonder Woman, knock it off and live your lectures: Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and kindness is a superpower even when you are the one who needs it." As a person of faith I always hold onto hope. I also believe in providence. The day I "heard the news" one of my reflections quoted Frederick Buechner: "Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. "
THIS. This is why I love you Connie. Thank you.
Good story, Connie! Keep up the good work!
Connie, your writing brings be joy and hope. And please know that I will be voting for Sherrod!
I figure the honor is mine, and the thanks are mine to give to you, in supporting your Substack - your writing is always a beautiful touchstone for me. You make this planet better by being on it, and doing what you do, so brightly and beautifully! Wishing you, Sherrod and all of your family the happiest of New Years, with the hope that 2024 brings you all the good stuff.
Thank you so much, you always bring a smile and sometimes a tear. I hope you have many more smiles in 24. Love
I'm going to have to get a hat of my own!
Once again, you write to the very heart of things. To my heart. Thank you. Your column reminds me of something the writer Louise Penny’s character Chief Inspector Armand Gamache says are four sentences we should learn which lead to wisdom: "I don't know. I need help. I'm sorry. I was wrong.” Reminding myself of these helps to right-size me.
Bless you and your magic writing hat and even more magical grandchildren.
And your magic words.
I just can’t love this enough! Never leave us Connie!
As usual, I found much I could identify with in this. I am the oldest and remember so well being put in charge of my sister and then my brother seven years later. I was to be an example for them which made it difficult to live up to at times. I was a kid too! Guess what profession I chose. Yes nurse and it took several years of therapy spread over years to stop feeling responsible for everyone and everything, both personally and professionally. I did gain much from being the oldest, such as an ability to accept responsibility and excel in my profession. So there was an upside, the challenge was to find the balance. Happy New Year.
Every.single.time I read one of your articles (stories, really), it is not enough. The end comes too quickly and I want more Connie. You really need to put all of these together and publish them in book form so more people would get to enjoy your wit, your graciousness and your delightful style. Keep hearing the voices in the hat, Connie! And, on second thought, taking time to collate your articles into a book, well, that might take you from actually writing more. It’s a conundrum for sure.
Thank you for your thought provoking writings.
Lovely way for me to end this year - reading this column. I'm grateful for you and your willingness to write honestly, clearly, and with great emotion and hope. Peace and love to you and yours in 2024.
Did Bonnie like people who are irritating? Or did she like to irritate people?
Happy New Year, I love your column
There is always something that strikes home in your words. After 15 years of working in the same place and after 39 years in the same profession, I was told this past Thursday that because of budget cuts my position had been eliminated. Connie, today your words "If you’ve spent your life insisting that you are the strongest person in every room--always the helper, never the helped—some people may ignore your distress signals. So, if that’s you strutting your stuff like Wonder Woman, knock it off and live your lectures: Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and kindness is a superpower even when you are the one who needs it." As a person of faith I always hold onto hope. I also believe in providence. The day I "heard the news" one of my reflections quoted Frederick Buechner: "Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. "
Connie, I loved your Facebook entry on Bonnie. Thanks for remembering her again.