So very beautiful, Dina, and so very true. As always, you have captured so many emotions and so much of these shared experiences of this stage of life, and I could not be more excited for yours and Dina's book. I know it will be an anthology of encouragement, solidarity, love and hope, and I can't wait to read it already! (And this, oh this: "I had to keep working, which required constructing a little makeshift compartment for my grief so we could cross the finish line. When we were done, said rickety compartment collapsed." Oof. So perfectly put.) Sending BIG hugs and 💗 (and 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆!!) XOXOX
So kind, Jenni- I am always so happy to hear that the words are connecting! So excited to get a book into your hands, and omg we should hire you for UK PR as you have captured the vibes- encouragement, solidarity, and love! Big hugs right back to you...xx
What a beautiful essay this is filled with such honesty and emotion to highlight how much we can accomplish, push through, and even allow ourselves that moment to collapse and then find our way back home and to way to write about it for ourselves but also for others. What a moment in time this has been and even though its been a lot to pull together (I’d still do it again!) with its losses and gains, I would not want to do it with anyone else. Love that you wrote about this and beautifully done!
Forget the trophy, I think an award show would be perfect — we may not need to highlight all of the love, loss, weathered storms and major achievements to feel good about ourselves, but what a fantastic way to celebrate life and all it's chaotic glory.
I cannot wait for the anthology to publish — thank you again for including me! xx
Loved reading this piece! It makes me wonder how often do we push ourselves beyond our breaking point without realizing it, only to get sick as soon as we make our deadlines/goals? And why do we do this? Anyhoo, your story is relatable, and I am not proud of how many times I've done this myself. Sending you a huge trophy of congratulations on making your deadline while compartmentalizing a loss. 🏆
So glad you enjoyed, Susan! I'm glad it resonated- we all have these moments, and I think it's so important that we know we are not alone on this road. And thank you- I'll take that trophy, and sending one right back to you...x
Congratulations on all your achievements relative to the journey of moving through Menopause. It is such a joy to witness women like yourselves forging through this path of much needed discovery. Thank you for sharing your intelligence and wisdom. I love how you sprinkle a gentle sense of humor to make your writing delightful and thought provoking!
What a lovely comment- thank you so much, Karen! I always hope when I hit that send button that something in the piece will do just that- delight, inspire or provoke thought, so your words mean a lot to me! xo
You are welcome! I am in that later Post Menopausal Stage and as a recent empty nester I am really leaning into the power of it all. More than happy to discuss/chat with you anytime!
I really enjoyed this, Dina! Love the idea of midlife trophies. You and Dina deserve first place for getting the anthology manuscript across the finish line! 🥇🥇
Oh, Dina. I felt this so deeply. Having to put grief on hold to get through what's right in front of you. Wanting (needing?) to fall apart but scared of the world moving on without you. You've captured all the conflicting, and very valid, emotions beautifully as always. What a gift your words are, and deserving of many trophies! I'm so glad you are in the world to help remind me why I want to be, too. Sending you huge hugs and bundles of love xx
So very beautiful, Dina, and so very true. As always, you have captured so many emotions and so much of these shared experiences of this stage of life, and I could not be more excited for yours and Dina's book. I know it will be an anthology of encouragement, solidarity, love and hope, and I can't wait to read it already! (And this, oh this: "I had to keep working, which required constructing a little makeshift compartment for my grief so we could cross the finish line. When we were done, said rickety compartment collapsed." Oof. So perfectly put.) Sending BIG hugs and 💗 (and 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆!!) XOXOX
So kind, Jenni- I am always so happy to hear that the words are connecting! So excited to get a book into your hands, and omg we should hire you for UK PR as you have captured the vibes- encouragement, solidarity, and love! Big hugs right back to you...xx
Ahhhh am SO excited, cannot wait to spread the word over here!! All the hugest best with all the plans and pre-launch preps ahead! 🙌XOXO
What a beautiful essay this is filled with such honesty and emotion to highlight how much we can accomplish, push through, and even allow ourselves that moment to collapse and then find our way back home and to way to write about it for ourselves but also for others. What a moment in time this has been and even though its been a lot to pull together (I’d still do it again!) with its losses and gains, I would not want to do it with anyone else. Love that you wrote about this and beautifully done!
DITTO- so grateful to have such an amazing collaborator and friend! More to come... Thank you!! xx
Forget the trophy, I think an award show would be perfect — we may not need to highlight all of the love, loss, weathered storms and major achievements to feel good about ourselves, but what a fantastic way to celebrate life and all it's chaotic glory.
I cannot wait for the anthology to publish — thank you again for including me! xx
Ha- I like the way you think- sign me up! And thank YOU for being a part of it!! xx
Loved reading this piece! It makes me wonder how often do we push ourselves beyond our breaking point without realizing it, only to get sick as soon as we make our deadlines/goals? And why do we do this? Anyhoo, your story is relatable, and I am not proud of how many times I've done this myself. Sending you a huge trophy of congratulations on making your deadline while compartmentalizing a loss. 🏆
So glad you enjoyed, Susan! I'm glad it resonated- we all have these moments, and I think it's so important that we know we are not alone on this road. And thank you- I'll take that trophy, and sending one right back to you...x
Congratulations on all your achievements relative to the journey of moving through Menopause. It is such a joy to witness women like yourselves forging through this path of much needed discovery. Thank you for sharing your intelligence and wisdom. I love how you sprinkle a gentle sense of humor to make your writing delightful and thought provoking!
XXOO Karen S. Williams
What a lovely comment- thank you so much, Karen! I always hope when I hit that send button that something in the piece will do just that- delight, inspire or provoke thought, so your words mean a lot to me! xo
You are welcome! I am in that later Post Menopausal Stage and as a recent empty nester I am really leaning into the power of it all. More than happy to discuss/chat with you anytime!
I really enjoyed this, Dina! Love the idea of midlife trophies. You and Dina deserve first place for getting the anthology manuscript across the finish line! 🥇🥇
So glad you enjoyed, Susan! And ha! Couldn’t have done it without our brilliant contributors like YOU ❤️
Oh, Dina. I felt this so deeply. Having to put grief on hold to get through what's right in front of you. Wanting (needing?) to fall apart but scared of the world moving on without you. You've captured all the conflicting, and very valid, emotions beautifully as always. What a gift your words are, and deserving of many trophies! I'm so glad you are in the world to help remind me why I want to be, too. Sending you huge hugs and bundles of love xx