My dear husband of one year was recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma at the back of his nasal passage. I needed to read this from you today. I know we will both survive this particular darkness, and be stronger for it. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us, in letters and books and podcasts.
I recently have felt the darkness and grief of letting go of a relationship that was dear to me. I have been taking part in a grief writing course during the month of October and I have learned something about myself. That my grief, which I’ve held onto throughout my life, is a part of me. But not the whole of me. That revelation has brought me acceptance and peace.
I truly hope that others who feel hopeless and are grieving find peace within themselves.
My husband of 49 years was diagnosed with prostate cancer and Parkinson’s. The prostate cancer was beatable, I hope, the Parkinson’s not so much. I’m angry and I take it out on him. My dad died October 1st after 101 years of living, a milestone my husband will never reach. My mom who is 99 seems bitter and complains about old injustices she perceives about my dad. Life seems so bleak most days. Thank you for sharing your words.
I just started Andrea Lankford’s “Trail of the Lost”. You must be familiar with her account of three hikers who went missing on the PCT. Of course, your accomplishment on that trail, and subsequent book are included.
And, a post I received from Shambhala Publications included this meditation from Tim Burkett:
Meditation doesn’t save us from life’s tragedies. In fact, Zen meditation allows us to enter completely both the joy and darkness that make up this great life. Deep healing often begins in darkness, in times when we feel deep dissatisfaction and little or no vitality.
I like your style! And just when I thought boo-hoo, poor me, I’m sad too, just like Crushed back in 2020 - only for me it’s I don’t know why I’m not committed to much of anything in my life (I’m 60) - you go and tell the momma cat commitment love story of all time! I loved it, and I would have liked to sit there on a bucket across from your mom. Queen of commitment! I’m committed to my adult sons and my incredible Labrador, so maybe my story will end with a bit of light too. Here’s hoping we find our cheer, Sugar. xo
Happy Anniversary!! Your words are a true gift to this world. Thank you for this message - I needed this reminder. The dark times can be gift. Reminds me of a line I love from Mary Oliver “Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.” ✨♥️
Beautiful story, and reminds me of a time, 11 years ago, when I sat on the floor beside the bed for a month after adopting a very frightened ex-ferral kitty. He lived under the bed for the entire first month and I used to just lay on the floor and talk to him
I've also been a fan since I read Wild years ago. After reading the letter from the person fighting her way out of the darkness of the pandemic and personal losses, and your reply about your mother's vigil in the barn waiting for the cat, I was glad to read your reframing the story in your mind, and how you were/are grateful she felt all the animals were around her when she died. Even though you felt distanced by her not wanting you to sit on the bed. Such a powerful story! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Happy Anniversary. I really want to go to Greece and eat olives and feta. I love the concept of the dark teacher. I’m sorry for those who are in that dark space now, sharing here. It is darker here now because of the time change and I will make space to hold each of you in that darkness. Beautiful writing as always Cheryl. You have a gift. Thanks for sharing it.
I am struck once again, Cheryl, by what a beautiful person your mom was, and how she lives on through you. I hope I can attend one of your writing workshops someday. It’s on my bucket list!
been dealing with a really deeply painful heartbreak that’s put me in a really dark place for almost 6 months now. The time feels so heavy, and I often get caught in the “I’ll never feel happy again” or “I’ll never love like that again.” This helps. Thank you ❤️
Happy Anniversary! I've been a fan since I read Wild many years ago. Have a great day!
My dear husband of one year was recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma at the back of his nasal passage. I needed to read this from you today. I know we will both survive this particular darkness, and be stronger for it. Thank you.
Happy anniversary Cheryl.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us, in letters and books and podcasts.
I recently have felt the darkness and grief of letting go of a relationship that was dear to me. I have been taking part in a grief writing course during the month of October and I have learned something about myself. That my grief, which I’ve held onto throughout my life, is a part of me. But not the whole of me. That revelation has brought me acceptance and peace.
I truly hope that others who feel hopeless and are grieving find peace within themselves.
Thanks for the reshare on this one as I had never read it. Much appreciated.
My husband of 49 years was diagnosed with prostate cancer and Parkinson’s. The prostate cancer was beatable, I hope, the Parkinson’s not so much. I’m angry and I take it out on him. My dad died October 1st after 101 years of living, a milestone my husband will never reach. My mom who is 99 seems bitter and complains about old injustices she perceives about my dad. Life seems so bleak most days. Thank you for sharing your words.
I just started Andrea Lankford’s “Trail of the Lost”. You must be familiar with her account of three hikers who went missing on the PCT. Of course, your accomplishment on that trail, and subsequent book are included.
And, a post I received from Shambhala Publications included this meditation from Tim Burkett:
Meditation doesn’t save us from life’s tragedies. In fact, Zen meditation allows us to enter completely both the joy and darkness that make up this great life. Deep healing often begins in darkness, in times when we feel deep dissatisfaction and little or no vitality.
I like your style! And just when I thought boo-hoo, poor me, I’m sad too, just like Crushed back in 2020 - only for me it’s I don’t know why I’m not committed to much of anything in my life (I’m 60) - you go and tell the momma cat commitment love story of all time! I loved it, and I would have liked to sit there on a bucket across from your mom. Queen of commitment! I’m committed to my adult sons and my incredible Labrador, so maybe my story will end with a bit of light too. Here’s hoping we find our cheer, Sugar. xo
Happy Anniversary!! Your words are a true gift to this world. Thank you for this message - I needed this reminder. The dark times can be gift. Reminds me of a line I love from Mary Oliver “Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.” ✨♥️
As far as seeing 2020 as a gift, I am not there yet. I don’t know that I will ever see it that way. Too much suffering.
Some things are just dark. The light comes when one emerges, but it doesn’t make the darkness any less real.
We could do with less darkness in my humble opinion.
Beautiful story, and reminds me of a time, 11 years ago, when I sat on the floor beside the bed for a month after adopting a very frightened ex-ferral kitty. He lived under the bed for the entire first month and I used to just lay on the floor and talk to him
I've also been a fan since I read Wild years ago. After reading the letter from the person fighting her way out of the darkness of the pandemic and personal losses, and your reply about your mother's vigil in the barn waiting for the cat, I was glad to read your reframing the story in your mind, and how you were/are grateful she felt all the animals were around her when she died. Even though you felt distanced by her not wanting you to sit on the bed. Such a powerful story! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Thanks again, such a moving story, "Crushed"was.
You have brought me to tears. Just so beautiful. Thank you, Cheryl. Bless your mother and all her animal friends. And bless you.
Happy Anniversary. I really want to go to Greece and eat olives and feta. I love the concept of the dark teacher. I’m sorry for those who are in that dark space now, sharing here. It is darker here now because of the time change and I will make space to hold each of you in that darkness. Beautiful writing as always Cheryl. You have a gift. Thanks for sharing it.
I am struck once again, Cheryl, by what a beautiful person your mom was, and how she lives on through you. I hope I can attend one of your writing workshops someday. It’s on my bucket list!
been dealing with a really deeply painful heartbreak that’s put me in a really dark place for almost 6 months now. The time feels so heavy, and I often get caught in the “I’ll never feel happy again” or “I’ll never love like that again.” This helps. Thank you ❤️