Oh, to be able to go back... My son passed away at 26 from a rare cancer in 2022. Eight months before his death he married the love of his life and their 'reception' at a local pub, as my cousin's band played, is forever burned in my mind. The look of pure, unadulterated joy as Liam and Jacob danced and sang along, even in the knowledge of Liam's terrible diagnosis, still warms my heart. The memory of watching them dance with complete strangers, all of them congratulating the newly weds, still brings me to tears. These moments are pure grace, and I know I hold on to them tightly as I grieve my son. On the many days when I feel about as 'jolly as a dirty sock', I remember their love, and my love for them, and I am learning to dance again slowly...
Thank you so much for sharing your memories with us, Cindy. It is grace and grief all at once, just as you said. Sending lots of love to you and to Jacob, too.
I really need to learn to WAIT UNTIL I GET HOME to read these. I mean, you can’t surreptitiously read and cry at work. Like, I *might* be reading a document or the tax code but I am definitely NOT doing either when I am wiping my eyes. Someday I will learn. Maybe. I love these notes so much.
Gorgeous! What a glorious slice of life this is. It's the kind of thing that's going to have me keeping my eyes peeled wide for opportunities like this in my own life. Thank you.
P.S. While you don't seem like the merch type, I desperately need a holiday sweater that says, "Feeling about as jolly as a dirty sock." I might have to embroider one myself.
I’m right smack in the middle of an early celebration for my 70 birthday. Lots of family here with lots of wonderful personalities, teenagers with a few outlandish preferences but mostly lots of love and joy. These are the best of days💗
“Maybe this is for the days when you are becoming well-aware that you will not be changing the world, that was an idealist’s dream, and so you are learning to love this world, this small particular place and these particular people, knowing that that was probably the invitation all along anyway.”
This one hit me hard, felt like it was written just for me (it’s amazing how you can do that with your writing, Sarah).
That survey you just did? Firstly, thanks for sharing the feedback because, like you, I love to know the results of those kinds of things. Secondly, THIS, this is the kind of writing I (we? -I think we) can't get enough of. So gorgeous. Thank you so much.
This is not related but in a way it is. It has been a tricky day for democracy in the US. I remember in 2020 you gave our dear emotional support Canadian friends the reminder to take a breather. Would you mind if even just in my own head we know we can count on you all in the coming days that feel so very uncertain?
Thank you so much for today's Field Notes. Even though we were celebrating one of our daughters' 45th birthday yesterday, you have taken us back to when our field of vision did not extend to the outskirts of the universe. Our lives, so busy and filled with happiness, were centered on the smaller enclave of our family's world, and that included more than a few end-of-year Elementary School parties. Those memories linger on and are still savoured. And your Notes have strengthened those fond memories. Jim
Yes! Yes! Yes! This is what is needed! This is what I want to do with my grands when they get there. I got my hip replaced last week. I’m laid up for a bit, but I want to get out there, throw my cares to the wind and dance! 💃
I love this Sarah! Thanks. Too often we get wrapped up in the negativity, sadness and busyness of life and don’t realize the great, precious moments that are right in front of us. We definitely need to DANCE and SHAKE IT OFF! 🙏🏻😊
Feeling similar feels, with our youngest graduating high school this year. You always seem to be in a similar head space as I am. Thank you for putting words to it. 💕
Oh, to be able to go back... My son passed away at 26 from a rare cancer in 2022. Eight months before his death he married the love of his life and their 'reception' at a local pub, as my cousin's band played, is forever burned in my mind. The look of pure, unadulterated joy as Liam and Jacob danced and sang along, even in the knowledge of Liam's terrible diagnosis, still warms my heart. The memory of watching them dance with complete strangers, all of them congratulating the newly weds, still brings me to tears. These moments are pure grace, and I know I hold on to them tightly as I grieve my son. On the many days when I feel about as 'jolly as a dirty sock', I remember their love, and my love for them, and I am learning to dance again slowly...
Thank you so much for sharing your memories with us, Cindy. It is grace and grief all at once, just as you said. Sending lots of love to you and to Jacob, too.
Cindy,I am so sorry 🩵 Thankyou for sharing x
Oh Cindy - so very sorry ..
I really need to learn to WAIT UNTIL I GET HOME to read these. I mean, you can’t surreptitiously read and cry at work. Like, I *might* be reading a document or the tax code but I am definitely NOT doing either when I am wiping my eyes. Someday I will learn. Maybe. I love these notes so much.
Fellow CPA here (perhaps?)…but read this between a Q2 prep call and a Q2 UTP evaluation call!
Haha! I'm an attorney, but close enough!
Gorgeous! What a glorious slice of life this is. It's the kind of thing that's going to have me keeping my eyes peeled wide for opportunities like this in my own life. Thank you.
P.S. While you don't seem like the merch type, I desperately need a holiday sweater that says, "Feeling about as jolly as a dirty sock." I might have to embroider one myself.
hahaha that would be hilarious
That would be great! I might consider something myself!
I’m right smack in the middle of an early celebration for my 70 birthday. Lots of family here with lots of wonderful personalities, teenagers with a few outlandish preferences but mostly lots of love and joy. These are the best of days💗
Ha, yes, we know a bit about those "outlandish preferences" with our teens here. Bless. The best days, indeed.
“Maybe this is for the days when you are becoming well-aware that you will not be changing the world, that was an idealist’s dream, and so you are learning to love this world, this small particular place and these particular people, knowing that that was probably the invitation all along anyway.”
This one hit me hard, felt like it was written just for me (it’s amazing how you can do that with your writing, Sarah).
Thank you.
🥹 Thank you, Naomi!
That survey you just did? Firstly, thanks for sharing the feedback because, like you, I love to know the results of those kinds of things. Secondly, THIS, this is the kind of writing I (we? -I think we) can't get enough of. So gorgeous. Thank you so much.
🥹 Thank you so much, Elizabeth!
This is not related but in a way it is. It has been a tricky day for democracy in the US. I remember in 2020 you gave our dear emotional support Canadian friends the reminder to take a breather. Would you mind if even just in my own head we know we can count on you all in the coming days that feel so very uncertain?
Oh, my goodness, yes. What a difficult day it was.
Thank you so much for today's Field Notes. Even though we were celebrating one of our daughters' 45th birthday yesterday, you have taken us back to when our field of vision did not extend to the outskirts of the universe. Our lives, so busy and filled with happiness, were centered on the smaller enclave of our family's world, and that included more than a few end-of-year Elementary School parties. Those memories linger on and are still savoured. And your Notes have strengthened those fond memories. Jim
Yes! Yes! Yes! This is what is needed! This is what I want to do with my grands when they get there. I got my hip replaced last week. I’m laid up for a bit, but I want to get out there, throw my cares to the wind and dance! 💃
I love this Sarah! Thanks. Too often we get wrapped up in the negativity, sadness and busyness of life and don’t realize the great, precious moments that are right in front of us. We definitely need to DANCE and SHAKE IT OFF! 🙏🏻😊
Feeling similar feels, with our youngest graduating high school this year. You always seem to be in a similar head space as I am. Thank you for putting words to it. 💕
Gorgeous and soul-cleansing. Thank you. ❤️
This may very well be the truest thing ever written. Thank you!
Oh Sarah - thank you for putting into words what we feel at the very core of us. Such a gift. 💜 💜
thank you
💗 💗 💗