"So away we go… to Alabama. As is the case with all things we do, it’ll either be amazing or terrible—and we’ll have an equally great time either way. " -- What a great way to "show" the relationship! It sounds fascinating and life-giving.
Jeff, I remember you from reading your first book, "Wrecked," and then "The In-Between," "The Art of Work," and "You Are A Writer," (maybe not in that order.) E. Jean Carroll asked us to write our life story in 81 words on Substack. Here was mine, which won me a spot with her on a Zoom call: "Desired a Leave it to Beaver life. Instead…juvie at fourteen, kicked out of high school at fifteen…married at sixteen… son born at seventeen, divorced, of course. Mental hospital at seventeen, gang-raped at eighteen, brother’s suicide at twenty-four, father’s suicide at twenty-eight. Mental illness intensifies. Street life, abuse, divorces, broken neck, and two brain tumors. Masters degree at 54, psychotherapist by 59. Married wonderful man, am an artist, a mom to three, grandmother to 12, great-grandmother to six. Love my life."
Since then I've had more overcoming to do. My brain tumor (on my brain stem) began growing again and I just completed a round of radiation with the hopes it will stop it from continuing to grow. I also found out from my new neurosurgeon that my second brain surgery wasn't necessary and I had a major stroke during that surgery (I was highly suspicious of that but no one would tell me). So weird...but leaving those things that are behind, I press forward...
I've tried to "train" myself to interact with the world as if everyone is in the middle of a storm. Especially when talking to strangers, servers, retail associates, etc.
About 10 years ago our family experienced a very tragic death. Life had to still move forward. No one knew what I was going through except my boss.
It made me realize that we just never know what people are dealing with on the inside. So why not treat everyone with grace, care, kindness, and compassion? If you're in the middle of a storm, don't you want to be treated that way?
I'm from Alabama, so it was neat to read this. I feel like my family and I have weathered a lot of storms in the last two and a half years especially. At the end of 2022, my husband had an unexpected health scare where it was touch and go for 3 days and ended up on a ventilator, and had a tracheotomy and rehab as well as dialysis for a month. He recovered, albeit also finding out that he had an unknown health condition that will have to be monitored and that might lead to major surgery in a few years, but it really changed the way I view everything. We also moved States and had our oldest child get married pretty quickly. Then there is the ongoing joy and struggle of raising a child with severe autism to have the best life he can. I don't know if you've ever heard the song and it can feel a little sentimental sometimes, but Dougie MacLean's "Ready for the Storm" (interestingly, all sorts of groups and people have tried to co-opt it, so to my mind that really means it is a universal poem) pinpoints this idea that life is a series of struggles, but there is joy and resilience in the midst if we will keep searching for it and depending on the relationships we have.
Boy, haven’t we all weathered many storms? I have enough to fill several books.
My latest is related to my health. On Easter Sunday my colon decided to burst without warning. I went to the ER at 10 am and had emergency surgery soon after. I stayed in the hospital six days and came out with a pouch on the front left of my belly.
I see it as a wake up call. I almost feel like I manifested it. I cannot tell you how many times I wrote in my journal, “what is it going to take for me to focus on my health this year?”
Well, I found out the hard way.
I have lost 30 pounds (there are some positive things happening 😁), had two more major surgeries and now I am going through the prep procedures to get ready for the next and final surgery to reattached the two ends of my colon.
Let’s just say, I am not taking my health for granted ever again. I had no idea I had a problem in my colon or my body until it decided to rear its head and say, “ready to take care of me now?”
It is a storm I am weathering and one I will get through with flying colors. It’s just a bit nerve wracking in the middle area.
Biological father was in prision for bank robbery til I was 12. Step father sexually molested at age 7-8 and tried again when I was 16. Then I made a plan to graduate a year early to get out of the house. Married a Narcissist which I did figure out till after 41 years of marriage. Had him removed after he bit my hand and my adult children turned out like him where everything my was my fault. So no family. Now I struggle financially. I do gigs when I can. Selling things. Trying to find a regular publisher not one you have to pay and working on social media, Including working for "Talk to Santa" on line. Recently had neck surgery. Blah blah blah.
Thank you for these recommendations! I have added all of them to my TBR list. My current storm is facing the possibility of an MS diagnosis. I had an MRI just a few weeks ago, and already seeing a neurologist on Monday. It's that urgent. So, yeah. But honestly in a great place and I've been writing and publishing here on substack regularly! I'm doing what I always do. Pick myself up by the bootstraps and keep going!
Jeff, I'm honored and looking forward to sharing the stage with you at the Sonoma Writers Conference. I live 90 minute drive from the gig. If you're a beer lover, you'll find the most delicious beer on the West coast at nearby Russian River Brewery, Yum. Did you say wine? You're going to be surrounded by a plethora of wineries in the area-sonoma and Napa, yum. Check out my short read last post (Sept 4) to see where I'm at
Next week my post will highlight Jeff Goins and the conference. Safe travels, we're looking forward to experience your vibe--oh and the weather will likely be perfect--welcome to our vibe
I live in NorCal. Can you send me info on the conference you’re going to? On another note, I read Ulysses a few years ago. I seem to recall it felt like a stream-of-consciousness piece.
I love the storm metaphor and, yes, haven’t we all endured storms. And for us writers, they provide fodder for our stories.
"So away we go… to Alabama. As is the case with all things we do, it’ll either be amazing or terrible—and we’ll have an equally great time either way. " -- What a great way to "show" the relationship! It sounds fascinating and life-giving.
This post made me smile.
Jeff, I remember you from reading your first book, "Wrecked," and then "The In-Between," "The Art of Work," and "You Are A Writer," (maybe not in that order.) E. Jean Carroll asked us to write our life story in 81 words on Substack. Here was mine, which won me a spot with her on a Zoom call: "Desired a Leave it to Beaver life. Instead…juvie at fourteen, kicked out of high school at fifteen…married at sixteen… son born at seventeen, divorced, of course. Mental hospital at seventeen, gang-raped at eighteen, brother’s suicide at twenty-four, father’s suicide at twenty-eight. Mental illness intensifies. Street life, abuse, divorces, broken neck, and two brain tumors. Masters degree at 54, psychotherapist by 59. Married wonderful man, am an artist, a mom to three, grandmother to 12, great-grandmother to six. Love my life."
Since then I've had more overcoming to do. My brain tumor (on my brain stem) began growing again and I just completed a round of radiation with the hopes it will stop it from continuing to grow. I also found out from my new neurosurgeon that my second brain surgery wasn't necessary and I had a major stroke during that surgery (I was highly suspicious of that but no one would tell me). So weird...but leaving those things that are behind, I press forward...
Here’s to pressing forward.
I've tried to "train" myself to interact with the world as if everyone is in the middle of a storm. Especially when talking to strangers, servers, retail associates, etc.
About 10 years ago our family experienced a very tragic death. Life had to still move forward. No one knew what I was going through except my boss.
It made me realize that we just never know what people are dealing with on the inside. So why not treat everyone with grace, care, kindness, and compassion? If you're in the middle of a storm, don't you want to be treated that way?
I'm from Alabama, so it was neat to read this. I feel like my family and I have weathered a lot of storms in the last two and a half years especially. At the end of 2022, my husband had an unexpected health scare where it was touch and go for 3 days and ended up on a ventilator, and had a tracheotomy and rehab as well as dialysis for a month. He recovered, albeit also finding out that he had an unknown health condition that will have to be monitored and that might lead to major surgery in a few years, but it really changed the way I view everything. We also moved States and had our oldest child get married pretty quickly. Then there is the ongoing joy and struggle of raising a child with severe autism to have the best life he can. I don't know if you've ever heard the song and it can feel a little sentimental sometimes, but Dougie MacLean's "Ready for the Storm" (interestingly, all sorts of groups and people have tried to co-opt it, so to my mind that really means it is a universal poem) pinpoints this idea that life is a series of struggles, but there is joy and resilience in the midst if we will keep searching for it and depending on the relationships we have.
Boy, haven’t we all weathered many storms? I have enough to fill several books.
My latest is related to my health. On Easter Sunday my colon decided to burst without warning. I went to the ER at 10 am and had emergency surgery soon after. I stayed in the hospital six days and came out with a pouch on the front left of my belly.
I see it as a wake up call. I almost feel like I manifested it. I cannot tell you how many times I wrote in my journal, “what is it going to take for me to focus on my health this year?”
Well, I found out the hard way.
I have lost 30 pounds (there are some positive things happening 😁), had two more major surgeries and now I am going through the prep procedures to get ready for the next and final surgery to reattached the two ends of my colon.
Let’s just say, I am not taking my health for granted ever again. I had no idea I had a problem in my colon or my body until it decided to rear its head and say, “ready to take care of me now?”
It is a storm I am weathering and one I will get through with flying colors. It’s just a bit nerve wracking in the middle area.
💛💛💛
Have fun at the conference.
Biological father was in prision for bank robbery til I was 12. Step father sexually molested at age 7-8 and tried again when I was 16. Then I made a plan to graduate a year early to get out of the house. Married a Narcissist which I did figure out till after 41 years of marriage. Had him removed after he bit my hand and my adult children turned out like him where everything my was my fault. So no family. Now I struggle financially. I do gigs when I can. Selling things. Trying to find a regular publisher not one you have to pay and working on social media, Including working for "Talk to Santa" on line. Recently had neck surgery. Blah blah blah.
Thank you for these recommendations! I have added all of them to my TBR list. My current storm is facing the possibility of an MS diagnosis. I had an MRI just a few weeks ago, and already seeing a neurologist on Monday. It's that urgent. So, yeah. But honestly in a great place and I've been writing and publishing here on substack regularly! I'm doing what I always do. Pick myself up by the bootstraps and keep going!
I love reading your writing, Jeff. I live in North Central Alabama in Huntsville. Enjoy your storm getaway!
Jeff, I'm honored and looking forward to sharing the stage with you at the Sonoma Writers Conference. I live 90 minute drive from the gig. If you're a beer lover, you'll find the most delicious beer on the West coast at nearby Russian River Brewery, Yum. Did you say wine? You're going to be surrounded by a plethora of wineries in the area-sonoma and Napa, yum. Check out my short read last post (Sept 4) to see where I'm at
https://hennschtick.substack.com/p/my-miraculous-health-update
Next week my post will highlight Jeff Goins and the conference. Safe travels, we're looking forward to experience your vibe--oh and the weather will likely be perfect--welcome to our vibe
I live in NorCal. Can you send me info on the conference you’re going to? On another note, I read Ulysses a few years ago. I seem to recall it felt like a stream-of-consciousness piece.