Can I move to your community? What a special place and you are one kind hearted lady. Love can indeed be found in the interruptions. A phone call from my kid, a stranger at the market who couldn’t pay for a gallon of milk-- I felt love for her and paid for all her groceries-- which made me give extra thanks to G-d for being able to do so. Love the pics you shared. I adore the leopard print suit.
"pay attention" and focus on the good-- in my situation anyway. This is why I my essays are comedic in nature. I get depressed if I read too many headlines from news sources.
Thank you for this candid and clear narration of your life Holly. It takes a lifetime to reach such a level of self expression and I am in awe of how you do it.
Now, my turn:
What’s new with you? - I just wrote the 2 year anniversary edition of my poetry newsletter Hello Universe. I'm proud of what I've been able to do with it. This latest edition is the third in a trilogy of poems. The first one was written in 2020! It feels really good to work on a single idea and grow it over many years.
Share your wins, however large or small, tangible or intangible. - I was told by someone at work that I'm considerate and open to ideas. That is a part of my personality that I have paid special attention to cultivating, so to hear someone acknowledge it felt powerful and validating.
How is love showing up for you? - I'm in a new city and meeting new people and making new friends. Everyone has a different flavor, and no one is the same as the good ol' gang I miss from another city, but they are genuine and open-hearted!
How are you showing up for others? - By listening intently. I have decided that my words hold little meaning if I've not understood the other person's point of view well. Hence I make a sincere attempt to listen and understand first. I am enjoying it so far!
This is all so wonderful, Punit! Congratulations on two years of shining some light into the world, and let’s not forget to celebrate that feature in a recent Substack post. So cool!
I’m glad you’re making friends in your new city. That can be the hardest part. But getting out of your comfort zone, listening, paying attention--that’s what it takes, and I know you do that well.
This beautiful post is so heartwarming, Holly, that I am glowing all over. You'll laugh at this: at lunchtime (it's just gone 4pm here now) I popped upstairs to grab a freshly-ironed hanky because I know you'd be publishing a post this afternoon. And HAH! - this time it's still dry, but if my heart were on the outside rather than the inside I would have had to use it to mop up the MELT.
I'm so thrilled to hear about Jonah's milestone - wonderful!
I've been hearing about the tornados in the news this last week - it's heartbreaking for the communities caught up in the destruction.
I must tell you: I am astonished at the effect your post this time last week has had on my alcohol consumption. I don't drink to excess, but you have made me much more aware. Thank you.
We had our first tornado warning of the year last night as part of that same system. My youngest and I were driving home from his practice when our phones went off. Nothing touched down near us, but those 3-4 miles home felt loooong.
Speaking of which, our gift this week was watching our neighbor's dog so she and her younger daughter could go somewhere for spring break. Our dogs have a field day together, so we definitely get something out of it, but it's nice to be able to help.
I have only been caught on the road one or two times during a tornado warning, and whew!--I can just imagine your trip home now. White-knuckling the steering wheel, one eye on the road, and the other scanning the sky!
Holly! So many things to celebrate. I'm so happy to hear about your brother Van and your son Jonah. I'll continue to hold them in pray. "Love comes in the interruptions" — this is powerful. Thank you Holly. You are building so much love in your corner of the world and inspiring me to do the same— to figure out what that looks like for me here. Thank you.
Then we are inspiring each other, Julie, because I have just finished reading My Road and cannot wait to send you some words letting you know how it has helped me. But I think that’s how life is supposed to be--we give away light but our candle doesn’t diminish because others are always returning light to us.
"we give away light but our candle doesn’t diminish because others are always returning light to us." This is beautiful Holly. Thank you so much and I can't wait to hear your thoughts! My heart is so happy that it helped you.
I’m glad to hear Van is cancer-free! I know of three people in my school circle whose battling cancer-- one is 47 years old, the two others early to mid-50s. It’s heartbreaking. I try to lift spirits even if it’s by reaching out and letting them know they were in my thoughts today.
I’ll say a prayer for your friends, Stella. It’s difficult to know what to do for someone with a cancer diagnosis, but I think you are doing the best thing. Letting them know you’re there.
"love comes in the interruptions" - I like that. I am going to sit with that this week, especially when it comes to my pets who have all decided to take turns being extra special needy for some reason or another over the last few days. Oh and I love the concept of a family newsletter - thank you for allowing me to be a tiny part of that family. Blessings
Pets are just furry children, aren’t they? We are currently pet-free because I just can’t provide the attention a pet needs right now. Our last pup was quite clingy! I hope everyone settles out soon for you!
Glad to have you as part of the family! We have a motto in my actual family that stemmed from a dinner conversation with the kids were much younger: “You gotta be weird to be in this family.” I like weird, so I hope you’re wonderfully weird, too!
Like I said to you in a comment on one of my posts, you sure do know a thing, or two, or ten, about bringing love to everything, Holly! Each of these updates warmed my heart and inspired me to find more places to be present to the "love in the interruptions" in my life. Thank you! xoxo
Thanks for following my stories, Daniel, and yes--I agree and love that term “heart space.” That is a great way to describe Planters. It’s so much more than old bricks and wood.
Congratulations on your brother's continued recovery.
Congratulations to Jonah! I was wondering how long the program was. Nice to hear it is ending soon. I'm sure he's excited to start a new chapter in life.
As for your venue, I have a feeling that you will accomplish the art nights and songwriter events. It's just going to take some time before it happens. Things like this have a way of working themselves out. I know you can do it! Think positively. Nice to hear about the other events you've had.
Great to hear about some of the people you have talked about in the past. You have a way of connecting with these people in a way that others might not understand. I think it's wonderful.
Thank you, Matt--I know those art nights and songwriters nights will happen. It just might take a few months to get there. I appreciate your encouragement more than you know!
Can I move to your community? What a special place and you are one kind hearted lady. Love can indeed be found in the interruptions. A phone call from my kid, a stranger at the market who couldn’t pay for a gallon of milk-- I felt love for her and paid for all her groceries-- which made me give extra thanks to G-d for being able to do so. Love the pics you shared. I adore the leopard print suit.
I love the lessons we can learn in line at the grocery store.❤️ And calls from our kids--those are the best, aren’t they?
Our community is far from perfect, but there is so much good here. You just have to pay attention.
"pay attention" and focus on the good-- in my situation anyway. This is why I my essays are comedic in nature. I get depressed if I read too many headlines from news sources.
I've especially loved following Jonah's story! And it's so wonderful to see him reach this milestone. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for celebrating with him, Jillian!
Thank you for this candid and clear narration of your life Holly. It takes a lifetime to reach such a level of self expression and I am in awe of how you do it.
Now, my turn:
What’s new with you? - I just wrote the 2 year anniversary edition of my poetry newsletter Hello Universe. I'm proud of what I've been able to do with it. This latest edition is the third in a trilogy of poems. The first one was written in 2020! It feels really good to work on a single idea and grow it over many years.
Share your wins, however large or small, tangible or intangible. - I was told by someone at work that I'm considerate and open to ideas. That is a part of my personality that I have paid special attention to cultivating, so to hear someone acknowledge it felt powerful and validating.
How is love showing up for you? - I'm in a new city and meeting new people and making new friends. Everyone has a different flavor, and no one is the same as the good ol' gang I miss from another city, but they are genuine and open-hearted!
How are you showing up for others? - By listening intently. I have decided that my words hold little meaning if I've not understood the other person's point of view well. Hence I make a sincere attempt to listen and understand first. I am enjoying it so far!
This is all so wonderful, Punit! Congratulations on two years of shining some light into the world, and let’s not forget to celebrate that feature in a recent Substack post. So cool!
I’m glad you’re making friends in your new city. That can be the hardest part. But getting out of your comfort zone, listening, paying attention--that’s what it takes, and I know you do that well.
Thank you so much for your vote of confidence, Holly! Made my day 😀
You are a Maker/Tender of a Caring Community. What an honor to know you through your writing.
💕
This beautiful post is so heartwarming, Holly, that I am glowing all over. You'll laugh at this: at lunchtime (it's just gone 4pm here now) I popped upstairs to grab a freshly-ironed hanky because I know you'd be publishing a post this afternoon. And HAH! - this time it's still dry, but if my heart were on the outside rather than the inside I would have had to use it to mop up the MELT.
I'm so thrilled to hear about Jonah's milestone - wonderful!
I've been hearing about the tornados in the news this last week - it's heartbreaking for the communities caught up in the destruction.
I must tell you: I am astonished at the effect your post this time last week has had on my alcohol consumption. I don't drink to excess, but you have made me much more aware. Thank you.
How interesting! That was the effect Tobias’ post had on me--it made me pay more attention to my consumption and to my emotions when I drank.
Yes! I noticed the same thing about my alcohol consumption!
Those are both huge wins for Van & Jonah!
We had our first tornado warning of the year last night as part of that same system. My youngest and I were driving home from his practice when our phones went off. Nothing touched down near us, but those 3-4 miles home felt loooong.
Speaking of which, our gift this week was watching our neighbor's dog so she and her younger daughter could go somewhere for spring break. Our dogs have a field day together, so we definitely get something out of it, but it's nice to be able to help.
I have only been caught on the road one or two times during a tornado warning, and whew!--I can just imagine your trip home now. White-knuckling the steering wheel, one eye on the road, and the other scanning the sky!
Weekend pup fest--how fun and uplifting!
Holly! So many things to celebrate. I'm so happy to hear about your brother Van and your son Jonah. I'll continue to hold them in pray. "Love comes in the interruptions" — this is powerful. Thank you Holly. You are building so much love in your corner of the world and inspiring me to do the same— to figure out what that looks like for me here. Thank you.
Then we are inspiring each other, Julie, because I have just finished reading My Road and cannot wait to send you some words letting you know how it has helped me. But I think that’s how life is supposed to be--we give away light but our candle doesn’t diminish because others are always returning light to us.
"we give away light but our candle doesn’t diminish because others are always returning light to us." This is beautiful Holly. Thank you so much and I can't wait to hear your thoughts! My heart is so happy that it helped you.
I’m glad to hear Van is cancer-free! I know of three people in my school circle whose battling cancer-- one is 47 years old, the two others early to mid-50s. It’s heartbreaking. I try to lift spirits even if it’s by reaching out and letting them know they were in my thoughts today.
I’ll say a prayer for your friends, Stella. It’s difficult to know what to do for someone with a cancer diagnosis, but I think you are doing the best thing. Letting them know you’re there.
"love comes in the interruptions" - I like that. I am going to sit with that this week, especially when it comes to my pets who have all decided to take turns being extra special needy for some reason or another over the last few days. Oh and I love the concept of a family newsletter - thank you for allowing me to be a tiny part of that family. Blessings
Pets are just furry children, aren’t they? We are currently pet-free because I just can’t provide the attention a pet needs right now. Our last pup was quite clingy! I hope everyone settles out soon for you!
Glad to have you as part of the family! We have a motto in my actual family that stemmed from a dinner conversation with the kids were much younger: “You gotta be weird to be in this family.” I like weird, so I hope you’re wonderfully weird, too!
Like I said to you in a comment on one of my posts, you sure do know a thing, or two, or ten, about bringing love to everything, Holly! Each of these updates warmed my heart and inspired me to find more places to be present to the "love in the interruptions" in my life. Thank you! xoxo
💕
Great news about Van and Jonah. Must be a huge relief to everyone, and congratulations, respectively 😃
Thanks, Terry! Yes--so much relief!
I enjoy hearing your stories (so much new life emerging!) entwining place and people. Thank you.
Planters is such a heart space.
Thanks for following my stories, Daniel, and yes--I agree and love that term “heart space.” That is a great way to describe Planters. It’s so much more than old bricks and wood.
“I haven’t been so excited for a boy to ask for my number since I was in college.”
😍
Go Jonah!
Tons of good news in this edition. Looks like I need to get caught up on everything during the past 2 months...
JACK!!!! We’ve missed you! But I am so glad you had a nice, long vacation. Hoping to hear about some of your adventures.
Congratulations on your brother's continued recovery.
Congratulations to Jonah! I was wondering how long the program was. Nice to hear it is ending soon. I'm sure he's excited to start a new chapter in life.
As for your venue, I have a feeling that you will accomplish the art nights and songwriter events. It's just going to take some time before it happens. Things like this have a way of working themselves out. I know you can do it! Think positively. Nice to hear about the other events you've had.
Great to hear about some of the people you have talked about in the past. You have a way of connecting with these people in a way that others might not understand. I think it's wonderful.
Thank you, Matt--I know those art nights and songwriters nights will happen. It just might take a few months to get there. I appreciate your encouragement more than you know!