Wonderful conversation. I'm so looking forward to reading your memoir. I will wait for the publication rather than searching on your platform. (I signed up for the pre order). These interviews are always a heartfelt tease.
What a wonderful interview, Mary. You have asked questions that have yet to be answered. And now Kimberly has taken us deeper into the dark wooded path that has eventually been infused with so much light. I used this quote today, from one of my favorite authors, in response to another ( hi Jonathan 👋). A ‘gift’ if you will, as all profound quotes are. To three of my favorites on Substack;
“I had as yet no notion that life every now and then becomes literature—not for long, of course, but long enough to be what we best remember, and often enough so that what we eventually come to mean by life are those moments when life, instead of going sideways, backwards, forward, or nowhere at all, lines out straight, tense and inevitable, with a complication, climax, and, given some luck, a purgation, as if life had been made and not happened.”
Oh, Lor, grand comment. And Norman McLean's novellas affected me so deeply --and the one I talk about here: https://marytabor.substack.com/p/young-men-and-fire-by-norman-mclean _Young Men and Fire_ Chapter before this one is free if paying is too much for you--still a lot to get about Mclean! Lor, you are such a generous soul: Thank you!
I love that you have his book filled with page markers! I hesitated before I used the quote , now I am glad I did. So much of his writing is breathtaking. Finish reading a paragraph, and wanting to go back and read over again because his words hit me, right in the center of my chest. Sometimes a quiet gasp escapes my lips as if I am inhaling it all in. I guess , in effect, I am. I thought you may be interested in this article;
I loved this so much. The first time I saw parts of the documentary, Unfixed, I felt so much more self-acceptance in what is unfixed about myself. I felt valuable and seen in a way I had not been able to before. I'm so ready for Kimberly's book!
I related to many parts of this conversation, thank you. I agree that the beauty -- ultimately -- of living through crises that tear your identity to shreds is anchoring your identity and self-worth to simply being alive. It's a profound self-acceptance. Everything else you might then do, be or achieve is a miracle delivered with awe and gratitude instead of expectations you can never live up to.
Brava! Thank you both for such an honest, bare, open, insightful conversation. We do not see this on the vast majority of traditional and social media these days. Just shouting about what's wrong and who's to blame. You are a true breath of fresh air. The Blake quote at the end summed it up perfectly. Thank you Kimberly and Mary.
Wonderful, beautiful, moving interview. Thank you both.
I love hearing all about this and I especially love this little bit of origin story for the memoir:
*I was very much needing to put it down for my own memory at that point. This was eight years ago, and there were so many synchronicities and moments of mystery and magic. And people kept telling me, "You have to write this down." And I don't have a super memory. So I was like, "I better just write this down."*
I could keep quoting from this as I work through it.
Such a beautiful response here, Kimberly:
*I do, and the word is readiness. I say readiness in the sense that I think we all have opportunities for that revelation wherever it lives in the chronology of our lives. But until there's a readiness in our body, mind and spirit, I sometimes think we close the doors before we even know that they've been inched open.*
Mary - hoping you are safe! It’s been a whirlwind weekend here as we finalize everything for the press—registering ISBNs for all the editions and meeting with the editor—but this conversation has filled me with such joy. I was especially struck by the quote from Hélène Cixous. For so many of us in midlife, we *do* feel like secret criminals in a foreign land, struggling to make sense of it all, to translate the conflicting narratives of our lives. What do you do when the very foundations of your existence—family, identity, health—begin to crack beneath your feet? In Unfixed, Kimberly takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the uncharted waters of family secrets, chronic illness, and the relentless search for truth and forgiveness. Her story is transformative, and I have no doubt it will resonate deeply with others as it did with me. I couldn’t be more thrilled for her. ❤️
Two of my favourite ladies in one place... (imagine a great sigh of contentment) oh how you both make me smile and shed tears, my heart glows in the warmth of your two. This conversation was the loveliest way to step into my frost covered morning - thank you Mary and Kimberly - so much love to you both. xx
I enjoyed your in-depth conversation with Kim a great deal. We never know when we might be hit with needing to live with a chronic illness or deal with a traumatic family revelation.
This poem! Thank you for sharing it, how have I never heard it before? Feels like it was written by my own soul. And thank you for your reflection about my inability to strategize. I've carried that one around with me forever, feeling it as a deficit. And now, I will offer it your beautiful reframe.
Wonderful conversation. I'm so looking forward to reading your memoir. I will wait for the publication rather than searching on your platform. (I signed up for the pre order). These interviews are always a heartfelt tease.
Lovely!
Just a beautiful conversation--well done, both of you!
I was particularly moved at your description, Kimberly, of finding your way through the turmoil.
"Everything I knew to be myself, I had thrown into the sea."
Thank you for sharing what it looks like to begin again.
Much love as you continue to write your story on the blank page of every new day. xo
xx, Ann!
What a wonderful interview, Mary. You have asked questions that have yet to be answered. And now Kimberly has taken us deeper into the dark wooded path that has eventually been infused with so much light. I used this quote today, from one of my favorite authors, in response to another ( hi Jonathan 👋). A ‘gift’ if you will, as all profound quotes are. To three of my favorites on Substack;
“I had as yet no notion that life every now and then becomes literature—not for long, of course, but long enough to be what we best remember, and often enough so that what we eventually come to mean by life are those moments when life, instead of going sideways, backwards, forward, or nowhere at all, lines out straight, tense and inevitable, with a complication, climax, and, given some luck, a purgation, as if life had been made and not happened.”
~Norman Maclean;
A River Runs Through It and Other Stories
Oh, Lor, grand comment. And Norman McLean's novellas affected me so deeply --and the one I talk about here: https://marytabor.substack.com/p/young-men-and-fire-by-norman-mclean _Young Men and Fire_ Chapter before this one is free if paying is too much for you--still a lot to get about Mclean! Lor, you are such a generous soul: Thank you!
I love that you have his book filled with page markers! I hesitated before I used the quote , now I am glad I did. So much of his writing is breathtaking. Finish reading a paragraph, and wanting to go back and read over again because his words hit me, right in the center of my chest. Sometimes a quiet gasp escapes my lips as if I am inhaling it all in. I guess , in effect, I am. I thought you may be interested in this article;
https://press.uchicago.edu/books/maclean/maclean_cawelti.html
Fab essay! Thank you. xx
You’re very welcome!
Kimberly, you’re a rock star even if you’ve never picked up a guitar in your life!
She is! and a generous heart too.
I loved this so much. The first time I saw parts of the documentary, Unfixed, I felt so much more self-acceptance in what is unfixed about myself. I felt valuable and seen in a way I had not been able to before. I'm so ready for Kimberly's book!
Yep. Ain't it grand that Substack brought Kimberly this success.
I related to many parts of this conversation, thank you. I agree that the beauty -- ultimately -- of living through crises that tear your identity to shreds is anchoring your identity and self-worth to simply being alive. It's a profound self-acceptance. Everything else you might then do, be or achieve is a miracle delivered with awe and gratitude instead of expectations you can never live up to.
Profound words Harriet. So agree ...
Brava! Thank you both for such an honest, bare, open, insightful conversation. We do not see this on the vast majority of traditional and social media these days. Just shouting about what's wrong and who's to blame. You are a true breath of fresh air. The Blake quote at the end summed it up perfectly. Thank you Kimberly and Mary.
Oh, lovely! Thank you, so. Love to Kimberly!
i must be so in awe of the both of you i forget to like or comment for like days 🤣
loved the Blake poem at end and "fashion model" 😜
btw Mary recently discovered how you figured out gribiness 😉😇
and the,artwork on that book! 💫💥🙏
Ah, Appleton, love, and clearly you're reading one of my books. Art work on which one--though I maybe have good guess? xoxo
hint: theres sweet and sour in it 😉
What a beautiful, fascinating, heart-centered interview. Felt like I was right there. Thank you both!
And, luckily, I was! Lovely. 💝
Wonderful, beautiful, moving interview. Thank you both.
I love hearing all about this and I especially love this little bit of origin story for the memoir:
*I was very much needing to put it down for my own memory at that point. This was eight years ago, and there were so many synchronicities and moments of mystery and magic. And people kept telling me, "You have to write this down." And I don't have a super memory. So I was like, "I better just write this down."*
Yes, Wasn't she marvelous!
I could keep quoting from this as I work through it.
Such a beautiful response here, Kimberly:
*I do, and the word is readiness. I say readiness in the sense that I think we all have opportunities for that revelation wherever it lives in the chronology of our lives. But until there's a readiness in our body, mind and spirit, I sometimes think we close the doors before we even know that they've been inched open.*
Mary - hoping you are safe! It’s been a whirlwind weekend here as we finalize everything for the press—registering ISBNs for all the editions and meeting with the editor—but this conversation has filled me with such joy. I was especially struck by the quote from Hélène Cixous. For so many of us in midlife, we *do* feel like secret criminals in a foreign land, struggling to make sense of it all, to translate the conflicting narratives of our lives. What do you do when the very foundations of your existence—family, identity, health—begin to crack beneath your feet? In Unfixed, Kimberly takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the uncharted waters of family secrets, chronic illness, and the relentless search for truth and forgiveness. Her story is transformative, and I have no doubt it will resonate deeply with others as it did with me. I couldn’t be more thrilled for her. ❤️
So kind and totally agree. Thank you for reading and so glad to help. xo
Two of my favourite ladies in one place... (imagine a great sigh of contentment) oh how you both make me smile and shed tears, my heart glows in the warmth of your two. This conversation was the loveliest way to step into my frost covered morning - thank you Mary and Kimberly - so much love to you both. xx
And love boomeranging right back to you Susie. Oh how I wish I could walk your frosty hill with you this morning! Thank you for listening. x
I enjoyed your in-depth conversation with Kim a great deal. We never know when we might be hit with needing to live with a chronic illness or deal with a traumatic family revelation.
Mary doesn't miss a beat. I felt seen and held by her with every question. Glad you enjoyed the conversation Liz.
So on the mark, dear Liz.
Beautiful interview. Thank you both! 💗🙏
The quote that comes to me for your journey, Kimberly, is this poem
(one of my favourites)
Caminante, no hay camino
by Antonio Machado
Wanderer, there is no Path
(English translation my own)
Wanderer, your footsteps
are the path, and nothing more;
wanderer, there is no path,
the path is made by walking.
By walking the path is made,
and as your glance turns back
you see the path that never,
that your steps ever tread again.
Wanderer, there is no path,
only wakes upon the sea.
here a reading of the poem in the original
https://www.poemas-del-alma.com/antonio-machado-caminante-no-hay-camino.htm
not strategizing may not be a 'deficit' after all, but one of your secret superpowers
This poem! Thank you for sharing it, how have I never heard it before? Feels like it was written by my own soul. And thank you for your reflection about my inability to strategize. I've carried that one around with me forever, feeling it as a deficit. And now, I will offer it your beautiful reframe.
yes, it feels to me like this was written for you...
a wake, a slipstream, where you expected a path
"wanderer, there is no path,
the path is made by walking."
Those lines.... so perfect Veronika. 🙏🏼
Words to live by.
You and Kimberly, Veronika dear, have unknowable but, indeed, secret powers. 💗
Thank you for interviewing Kimberly. She is a beautiful soul indeed.
Awww, thank you Teyani. I think Mary has a unique ability to tap right into the source with her penetrating insight.
So on the mark, Teyani. Thank for reading or listening. xo Mary
What a beautiful, real and hopeful conversation. Thank you.
Thank you for listening Angela. We need more real and hope in this world and Mary knows just how to bring it into the light.
Love to you as we are in the middle of this horrific event. And my heart goes out to everyone who lost all.
For those in the midst of devastation: my heart is also with you. 💔