What strikes me most about the types of suffering and grief you mentioned over your past nine years, is that they came from deep love and connection. People only experience so much of others’ griefs if they’ve first learned to love them, and been let in to do so. Those people are blessed to have you.
Grace, I really enjoyed reading this (truthfully, your writing in general is honest and resonates with me). This one, though, is even more relatable, as I too, have been wrestling with suffering in concrete form as opposed to abstract concepts. I have been incorporating Thomas A Kempis’ “Imitation of Christ” as part of my morning prayer/mediation and thought I’d pass along one excerpt that really stuck with me (and came to mind as I read your post): Book III | Chapter 25. I’d link it here, but alas on my phone not as digitally savvy as on my computer. Anyway, if you get the chance, it might be worth looking at.
Thanks for your work and I’ll continue to pray for all of us who experience the reality of suffering. Much Pax, ~TD
I really appreciate this comment, Anthony, and for your encouragement! Sometimes sharing my writing feels a bit like bleeding out in public haha. So thank you for taking the time to share how this resonates with you and for pointing me towards that meditation. I’ve bookmarked it!
Of course, Grace. I've had countless moments in my own life where I have had people (both trusted/intimate friends and complete strangers) pass on words of wisdom to me, so I make it a point to try and "pay it forward" when I can. I pray it resonates for you!
And, I also wanted to note that I completely vibe with the whole "bleeding out in public" anxiety, haha. I just started this whole Substack gig about 1mo ago, and each post I've made I feel equal amounts of excitement and fear (fundamentally it is the anxiety connected with being vulnerable). From my humble vantage point, you write honestly, humbly, and authentically, and that's all we can do: be real. Trust that! God's got us.
She only completed two novels, so that list is short! But I’d recommend beginning with “The Complete Stories,” which is a collection of her short stories. Read that, then watch “Wildcat,” a biopic-ish film directed by Ethan Hawke starring his daughter, Mia.
This is all so beautiful and true.
What strikes me most about the types of suffering and grief you mentioned over your past nine years, is that they came from deep love and connection. People only experience so much of others’ griefs if they’ve first learned to love them, and been let in to do so. Those people are blessed to have you.
This is such a kind comment, Leah! Thank you.
Holy moments, when we journey with others through the valley and they journey with us through the same.
This was beautiful and profound, Grace-- one of my favorite pieces of your writing to date. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for being such a consistent and kind reader, Danielle. Your supportive words are so appreciated!
Grace, I really enjoyed reading this (truthfully, your writing in general is honest and resonates with me). This one, though, is even more relatable, as I too, have been wrestling with suffering in concrete form as opposed to abstract concepts. I have been incorporating Thomas A Kempis’ “Imitation of Christ” as part of my morning prayer/mediation and thought I’d pass along one excerpt that really stuck with me (and came to mind as I read your post): Book III | Chapter 25. I’d link it here, but alas on my phone not as digitally savvy as on my computer. Anyway, if you get the chance, it might be worth looking at.
Thanks for your work and I’ll continue to pray for all of us who experience the reality of suffering. Much Pax, ~TD
I really appreciate this comment, Anthony, and for your encouragement! Sometimes sharing my writing feels a bit like bleeding out in public haha. So thank you for taking the time to share how this resonates with you and for pointing me towards that meditation. I’ve bookmarked it!
Of course, Grace. I've had countless moments in my own life where I have had people (both trusted/intimate friends and complete strangers) pass on words of wisdom to me, so I make it a point to try and "pay it forward" when I can. I pray it resonates for you!
And, I also wanted to note that I completely vibe with the whole "bleeding out in public" anxiety, haha. I just started this whole Substack gig about 1mo ago, and each post I've made I feel equal amounts of excitement and fear (fundamentally it is the anxiety connected with being vulnerable). From my humble vantage point, you write honestly, humbly, and authentically, and that's all we can do: be real. Trust that! God's got us.
If you could recommend one O'Connor book to someone who's never read anything by her, what would it be?
She only completed two novels, so that list is short! But I’d recommend beginning with “The Complete Stories,” which is a collection of her short stories. Read that, then watch “Wildcat,” a biopic-ish film directed by Ethan Hawke starring his daughter, Mia.