A small part of me still believes fairy tales can come true; thank you for the reminder! Loved reading the correspondences. What a thrill to have such words written to you. Enjoying this memoir so very much!
Delightful, Mary. I am on a binge through your tender memoir, so honest and funny. I have swooned for 'd' myself through the correspondence. At a similar point of separation from a long marriage, I corresponded (postal mail) for several years with a charming man working with 'Habitat for Humanity' in Papua New Guinea--unavailable and charming, just what I needed in my life.
Oh, Leslie, we do so connect ... You gotta be entranced by a man you wants to know you and has seen with you with no makeup, with hair disheveled, crazy curly and discolored by the water from son's water tank on his land in Oz. I could say more about d. than I do here--but I must restrains myself. Maybe later ... Love this and thank you.
"tears withheld but visible inside his eyes. I think of the way a lake holds back the sea’s surge as a storm pushes its force from afar. He puts on his shades. I get on the plane."
this small but so meaningful scene brings tears to my mother-heart too. A reminder of my far away children and many departures.
As an inveterate fairytale reader/lover, I love the fairytale-scenes woven into your story
Beautiful. Tender. My wishes, if answered at all, have only ever come in the most unseemly packages. I find your inquiry into fantasy vs reality very compelling, and raw.
Wow. It looks like you've got me hooked. I like you writing style (and your style, too.) Being an older man, well, I'm curious as to how you handle life's little imperfections.
I want to blame this on Substack delays--but love the site too much! Again I hope my not responding didn't discourage you from reading. Some 40 chapters are up now.
I haven't caught up yet, but they're short (I wish I knew how to do that!) I will catch up, but I was actually falling behind with my own stuff. The new story I'm working on should be done by the end of the week. I can't get a lot done on the weekends because, well, the wife still works and thinks the least I could do is pay SOME attention to her when she's around. So I do. I sneak up here when she's distracted. (She went out to the store.)
Ben, I'm thinking that's the journey here, maybe? We'll see ... Again, can't believe I missed this comment--and I am now a devoted fan of your Substack.
I have a piece coming out tonight. Every Sunday I have my FREE part, and every Wednesday is my PAY Serial Novel. I read my stories out of Sundays. I hope you check it out.
A small part of me still believes fairy tales can come true; thank you for the reminder! Loved reading the correspondences. What a thrill to have such words written to you. Enjoying this memoir so very much!
What a trip this was--unforgettable, Susan. Talk about making my day with your words. I treasure this comment.
Clearly unforgettable. Looking forward to seeing how this memoir unfolds!
Delightful, Mary. I am on a binge through your tender memoir, so honest and funny. I have swooned for 'd' myself through the correspondence. At a similar point of separation from a long marriage, I corresponded (postal mail) for several years with a charming man working with 'Habitat for Humanity' in Papua New Guinea--unavailable and charming, just what I needed in my life.
Oh, Leslie, we do so connect ... You gotta be entranced by a man you wants to know you and has seen with you with no makeup, with hair disheveled, crazy curly and discolored by the water from son's water tank on his land in Oz. I could say more about d. than I do here--but I must restrains myself. Maybe later ... Love this and thank you.
Oh my goodness, those correspondences are wonderful! As is the photo of you and your son.
I resonate with so much here—the way heartache softens and blurs, the worry about who we can be with and how we can rely on our adult children.
What a joy to binge this serial, Mary!
What a reader and virtual friend you are, Holly Starley!
I feel the same, Mary. Grateful to have found you here.
"tears withheld but visible inside his eyes. I think of the way a lake holds back the sea’s surge as a storm pushes its force from afar. He puts on his shades. I get on the plane."
this small but so meaningful scene brings tears to my mother-heart too. A reminder of my far away children and many departures.
As an inveterate fairytale reader/lover, I love the fairytale-scenes woven into your story
Oh, what a colleague you are! My mother-heart to yours. xo ~ Mary
Beautiful. Tender. My wishes, if answered at all, have only ever come in the most unseemly packages. I find your inquiry into fantasy vs reality very compelling, and raw.
Means so much, Kimberly, that you say this. You are a love.
Wow. It looks like you've got me hooked. I like you writing style (and your style, too.) Being an older man, well, I'm curious as to how you handle life's little imperfections.
I want to blame this on Substack delays--but love the site too much! Again I hope my not responding didn't discourage you from reading. Some 40 chapters are up now.
I haven't caught up yet, but they're short (I wish I knew how to do that!) I will catch up, but I was actually falling behind with my own stuff. The new story I'm working on should be done by the end of the week. I can't get a lot done on the weekends because, well, the wife still works and thinks the least I could do is pay SOME attention to her when she's around. So I do. I sneak up here when she's distracted. (She went out to the store.)
Can't wait for you to catch up. Also, I subscribed to your YouTube Channel.
Ben, I'm thinking that's the journey here, maybe? We'll see ... Again, can't believe I missed this comment--and I am now a devoted fan of your Substack.
I have a piece coming out tonight. Every Sunday I have my FREE part, and every Wednesday is my PAY Serial Novel. I read my stories out of Sundays. I hope you check it out.
Bet on it!
The images and the story of the row are intertwined ingeniously. Good grief, I need to fix dinner before the next section, Mary✍️❤️
Yes, the row ended up important to the journey. You are a close and fine reader and I thank you, Diane.
Going on, I found this touching. Chapter 4 is starting to touch you too. Wonder if D. already had other interests?
Such a lovely comment. And as to your q., I thought so, for sure ...
A vivid and sympathetic description of the soft-shell vulnerability of separation after marriage.
Eloquently stated. xo ~ M.
This is one of the most exciting essays I've ever read! I absolutely cannot wait to start my class with you dear Mary!!
Oh, lovely. I can't wait to work with you privately! I know you'll be fab!
Amazing journey and beautiful photos too. Are you still painting, Mary?
Thank you, Isabelle and I did paint the book cover. Still learning stuff ... and trying.