24 Comments

I’m standing on the edge of an almost-empty nest, having just applied to PSU for English, perhaps to take some classes, perhaps for a 2nd BA, perhaps in prep for a master’s (who knows which). I too am an optimist, a melancholy one after these most grief-filled years of my life, and aware of the light shining on my great good fortune of health, family and stability, and a hopeful future. My oldest is 21, and I sense his fear of college graduation next summer given the hole blown through his college experience by COVID. My youngest graduates HS next weekend and begins college in the Fall. We are all at our own inflection points, and your words apply to us all differently. Thank you, always, for sharing of yourself as you do. I’m sorry this has been an awful year for you, and I’m wishing you some ease and joy ahead.

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May 26, 2021Liked by Cheryl Strayed

Your writing rarely fails to bring to me tears. This was good timing for me as well as I just quit my day job to focus on my art full time. I'm old enough to know how much truth there is here.

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May 26, 2021Liked by Cheryl Strayed

On learning French when one is no longer young, I recommend Flirting with French by William Alexander. It will help to keep the expectations this side of doable. Much else of interest in the book besides the language.

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May 26, 2021Liked by Cheryl Strayed

That graduation speech, WOW. Just WOW. I sure hope one of the students did bake you a banana cream pie. You more than deserved it.

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A perfect message to receive in a time of tremendous transition and trepidation regarding what's next. Thanks as always, Cheryl. Your words are always your best language.

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All at once timely and beautiful reminders. Transitioning from corporate world to giving myself a shot at writing. 🙏🏼

"You don’t have to get a job that makes others feel comfortable about what they perceive as your success. You don’t have to explain what you plan to do with your life. You don’t have to justify your education by demonstrating its financial rewards. You don’t have to maintain an impeccable credit score. Anyone who expects you to do any of those things has no sense of history or economics or science or the arts.

You have to pay your own electric bill. You have to be kind. You have to give it all you got. You have to find people who love you truly and love them back with the same truth. But that’s all."

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May 26, 2021Liked by Cheryl Strayed

I could read your writing all day long. Like a salve... thank you

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I am not sure why exactly but I was on the edge of tears the whole way through reading your commencement address. So touching, so true. Thanks a bunch. Julie

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May 26, 2021Liked by Cheryl Strayed

Love

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May 26, 2021Liked by Cheryl Strayed

You always know what to say at the exact right time. Thank you!

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May 26, 2021Liked by Cheryl Strayed

Truly beautiful advice for everyone-Thank You! 🙏

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I am sorry you had a hard year. I hope the helpers are finding you. We can be our own helpers of course, but there is also magic when a stranger or a friend knows just the right thing to say or do to ease our aching heart or just walk beside us during our struggle. You have given this gift to so many. I trust others are giving back to you! xo

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Joined your book club just now😆 I’m so excited! My first book will arrive in July, but I’ve already started reading the discussions that have taken place for the current book you’ve selected.

This is the first book club I’ve ever joined (IRL and online) and I must say how awesome it is to have this platform available for people like me who want to be part of a book club but don’t really have or know how to find one locally. I’m also looking forward to interacting with other readers and seeing other their POVs and interpretations. It’s gonna be interesting since members are going to be from everywhere—not just my neck of the woods! I hope I can keep up ☺️😆 See you and everyone else on Literati! 📚❤️

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“The most terrible and beautiful and interesting things happen in a life. For some of you, those things have already happened. Whatever happens to you belongs to you. Make it yours. Feed it to yourself even if it feels impossible to swallow. Let it nurture you, because it will.”

To think all of the hard has somehow nurtured us to this point and will continue to do so is a perspective that brings me hope 💕

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Yowza! Once again, you've delivered exactly what I needed to hear. You are a beacon of light for my healing soul. Thank you.

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I will be handing your speech off to my fifteen year-old son who has much dread and anxiety over the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. The boy is incredibly gifted and frighteningly brilliant. There are so many different careers available to him that he simply feels overwhelmed. I think hearing that it will all work out in the end from someone other than his parents will be of comfort. Thank you, as always, for your words of wisdom and guidance toward the light.

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