Wonderful story. I read earlier in Renée Eli’s essay that hope belongs to the structure of reality. Hope isn’t a construct of human psychology; it’s the ground of being. This echoed in my ears as the man discovered the baby in all the devastation. You’re absolutely right — not everything can be saved or fixed but something can.
Love that Julie. I've been coming back this week to Brene Brown's words on hope that hope is a function of struggle - we develop hope not during the easy or comfortable times, but through adversity and discomfort. Hope is forged when our goals, pathways, and agency are tested and when change is actually possible.
saving what we can, doing what we can -- I wrote about this in a different way today too -- and your story goes to the heart of it, to what Adrienne Rich says:
"My heart is moved by all I cannot save: so much has been destroyed. I have to cast my lot with those who age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world."
Gods, Rebecca. This is a stunning piece of writing (I could swim in your words all day), and an even more stunning story. But stories take vastly different forms in different hands, and you weave the world you observe into wonder. It is just a total gift to be one of your adoring readers. Thank you, thank you.
Rebecca, your beautiful storytelling is like a golden light that softens the edges of darkness. I love so much of your writing, but this piece felt visceral and touched on a maternal ache I carry in my own heart. An ache for the innocent lives who call for our attention, and remind us that if we stay, if we don't turn away, we will find something - however small - that we can salvage. And that when the golden edges give way to the light, that small thing may flourish. Thank you for this moving piece that brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you once again Rebecca for your wonderful writing that, as Sabrina says, is ‘like a golden light that softens the edge of darkness’. A beautifully told reminder to be present for those who need whatever we can give…
By sharing our light, our kindness, our love...each one of us-together, we can make a difference. Even if we can't save everyone nor stop every horrid thing happening in our world now, with love (and hope) some things will change.
I love the kindness chronicles so much Rebecca - they are so needed. And this is a beautiful addition. “not everything can be saved or helped or fixed, but that does not mean that something can’t be.”
Wonderful story. I read earlier in Renée Eli’s essay that hope belongs to the structure of reality. Hope isn’t a construct of human psychology; it’s the ground of being. This echoed in my ears as the man discovered the baby in all the devastation. You’re absolutely right — not everything can be saved or fixed but something can.
I love that idea. It is a light way of seeing the world.
Love that Julie. I've been coming back this week to Brene Brown's words on hope that hope is a function of struggle - we develop hope not during the easy or comfortable times, but through adversity and discomfort. Hope is forged when our goals, pathways, and agency are tested and when change is actually possible.
The concept that hope only exists when change is possible is important, and I think I agree.
saving what we can, doing what we can -- I wrote about this in a different way today too -- and your story goes to the heart of it, to what Adrienne Rich says:
"My heart is moved by all I cannot save: so much has been destroyed. I have to cast my lot with those who age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world."
From Dream of a Common Language (1978)
What an extraordinary quote. I have never read any Adrienne Rich and have just added her to my TBR. Thank you for sharing, Jan.
She's wonderful, Rebecca :)
Gods, Rebecca. This is a stunning piece of writing (I could swim in your words all day), and an even more stunning story. But stories take vastly different forms in different hands, and you weave the world you observe into wonder. It is just a total gift to be one of your adoring readers. Thank you, thank you.
❤️ ah kendall I just love your work too, so this means so so much! thank you xx
Rebecca, your beautiful storytelling is like a golden light that softens the edges of darkness. I love so much of your writing, but this piece felt visceral and touched on a maternal ache I carry in my own heart. An ache for the innocent lives who call for our attention, and remind us that if we stay, if we don't turn away, we will find something - however small - that we can salvage. And that when the golden edges give way to the light, that small thing may flourish. Thank you for this moving piece that brought tears to my eyes.
❤️ thank you so much Sabrina, for your kind words and for reading and feeling this piece with so much of your heart xx
What a poignant and beautiful story. Filled with the myth and truth that is the lifeblood of the Orkneys, I imagine.
The juxtaposition with our modern day was, as Sabrina says, visceral. And truthful. Thank you.
thank you prue, I'm so glad this story touched you ❤️
What an eloquent reminder to all of us to do what we can, even in the face of disaster.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it Dawn x
“Saving what we can save, helping where we can help, fixing what we can fix, doing what we can do—no more, no less.”
Perfect algorithm for living and making meaning in this cold indifferent universe. 🌱
This is a beautiful story Beki and a welcome bright light in the current darkness - thank you x
❤️
Thank you once again Rebecca for your wonderful writing that, as Sabrina says, is ‘like a golden light that softens the edge of darkness’. A beautifully told reminder to be present for those who need whatever we can give…
I adore how you framed this ... "to be present for those who need whatever we can give." I will be writing that down and thinking of that often.
❤️ thank you, and I too love how you framed this!
Thank you Rebecca for sharing this story.
By sharing our light, our kindness, our love...each one of us-together, we can make a difference. Even if we can't save everyone nor stop every horrid thing happening in our world now, with love (and hope) some things will change.
What a story. There is still saving to be done.💜
A wonderful reminder that there can be positivity in the midst of crises.
Excellent story-telling, Rebecca, thank you.
thank you Yasmin, I am so glad you enjoyed it x
I love the kindness chronicles so much Rebecca - they are so needed. And this is a beautiful addition. “not everything can be saved or helped or fixed, but that does not mean that something can’t be.”
that means so much, thank you Emily! Xx
This is beautiful, Rebecca—and an important reminder.
So glad I know about Archie Angel.
thank you Holly! So glad archie's story reached out to you x
Rebecca, it is fascinating to see this sort of creative nonfiction from you. Bravo. And it further piques me interest in your upcoming fiction. Kudos.
thank you Rebecca! News on that coming very soon...
Impresionante historia, gracias por rescatarla para todos
So glad you enjoyed it!