To hell with Valentine’s Day and winter’s monochromatic emptiness. Sending virtual hugs, love, and light; may they hold you until spring brings the earth back to life.
If you can go from grief on the picnic table to wheelies in the parking lot, you're my hero.
I am grieving that you're going through this and praying (well railing) about this to any deities that will listen. We want you back. At least the police haven't profiled you to arrest you for wheelies.
My mother’s favorite line was , this too shall pass. We don’t know much other than that. Hang in there my friend. Today the sun is shining. Allow the inner cat in you to simply BE in a ray of sunlight.
Hal, it feels a little weird to say ‘what a great post,’ but what a great post. I was super moved by it, and spring IS coming. You power through those February blues (with the occasional wheelie). We’re with you. X
I have nothing to say, but thought it best to try. Like you do. You reach out with humor even. And you are clever with taking us somewhere. I felt something happen when February turned up. I could not put my finger on it. But you did. You make me feel like I had company, not knowing what happened. Today, humor returned in spades. Not sure where that came from either. I was grateful to run into you today. And you had the nicest smile.
Dear Hal, today's edition of "Living in a Body" compels me to reach out, to do what I can to comfort you in the midst of such bleak days. Maybe ironically, maybe perversely, maybe because of poetry and grace, I am energized by your voice. That's not to say that I celebrate your struggles; I am deeply sorry for your suffering. But I celebrate the light of the voice that comes from within the darkness, connecting all those who suffer, that is, all. What I offer today is gratitude and encouragement, truly a reflection of the light received from you returned with a blessing from me. Holding you in my heart.
I'm in a puddle of sadness right now so thank u for bringing the connected puddle...
There's no splashing or splishing or splosh ing just a flat empty void. A dark dirty puddle of denseness.
Been in flare up since Friday it never gets easier mentally or emotionally. I go from the elation of less symptoms: able to take the trash out, walk the garden and talk to people. To being a horizontal miserable recluse I just tried to hang some pictures up - bad idea .
Less joint and muscle pain today but the head nerve pain and tinnitus show up louder after minimal exertion and yep the body and mental exhaustion ( folks please don't compare us to a normal tiredness or exhaustion it pales in comparison . 🙃
This right here tapping this phone key pad may be too much and I'll go into a comatose state for 1.5 hrs of what seems like unconsciousness.
So my thoughts on listening 'well at least there is getting out on the scooter and community interaction !' But hey I remember when that could happen and it comes with its own feelings and experience.
Whatever the chronic illness and whatever the severity it comes with a sense of being ' not like you ' and not like ' how I was and not part of the ' main human race ..
I'm angry and frustrated today and I wanna scream at God ' what the fuck ' but I'm not supposed to swear as a Christian. Maybe God doesn't even understand swearing and I could just go ahead?
I decided 2 days ago ( shit I thought I'd lost my writing then - it's good for the universe I didn't! . )
I decided 2 days ago that I need some percussion in my life.
I figure if solitary confinement is my reality I may as well may some noise and who knows even some sweetness in the environment. Regaae man upstairs has stopped orchestrating his boom bass speakers ( he actually plays some good stuff it just doesn't marry too well with meditation. So there seems some room for sound being created in my new apartment without the risk of a court order.
I had a harmonica and for some crazy reason got rid of it along with shaker eggs. Must have been having one of my '
I need to down size moments of which I always regret later down the line .
But hey grateful I can replenish. I've just ordered a mini tongue drum and music book.... That will be fun they sound amazingly beautiful..
Ok time to go tinnitus has ramped up and nerve head pain... Right in the temple.
Thanks for sharing, thanks for surviving.. Not alone so many many of us... Behind our doors.
One day it will be gone and let's pray it comes sooner...
We're amazing... I mean all people's are living on this beautiful spinning blue and green ball of beauty and madness...
Bye from now from England or should I say tooo da looo
I am glad that you did those wheelies! And that you were grateful for the table to hold you up for a bit. Even in times of deep sadness, there are wheelies and helpful circumstances.
Dear Hal, I love that bits of your self-aware humor are irrepressible even when talking about your very real sadness. This podcast's harmonica riffs hold a lot of bright note "blues" amongst all the gray. Feeling the love...
Just listening and holding you in love.
Thank you.
To hell with Valentine’s Day and winter’s monochromatic emptiness. Sending virtual hugs, love, and light; may they hold you until spring brings the earth back to life.
Thanks for being there, Suzanne.
If you can go from grief on the picnic table to wheelies in the parking lot, you're my hero.
I am grieving that you're going through this and praying (well railing) about this to any deities that will listen. We want you back. At least the police haven't profiled you to arrest you for wheelies.
Love Jim
Thanks Jim. The wheelies really do help. A moment of thrill in the midst of lots of limitation. I really appreciate you listening, Jim
My mother’s favorite line was , this too shall pass. We don’t know much other than that. Hang in there my friend. Today the sun is shining. Allow the inner cat in you to simply BE in a ray of sunlight.
Yes. I have a cat, so I understand what you mean. :)
I’m right there with you about February and Valentines Day. It will pass. Better days are coming for you my friend. 💕😊
Thank you Julie. I enjoyed singing with you for a minute today. :)
Sending love, Hal - and thank you for sharing this. I hope the wheelies gave you a little boost.
Hi Matt. I miss our connection. I'll give you a call sometime soon. H
Heart-breaking read, but this too shall pass. Glad to have discovered you through Writer Office Hours...
Thanks for clicking over here, Tamzin. Welcome! H
Hal, it feels a little weird to say ‘what a great post,’ but what a great post. I was super moved by it, and spring IS coming. You power through those February blues (with the occasional wheelie). We’re with you. X
Thank you, Elaine. Your words encourage me. H
I have nothing to say, but thought it best to try. Like you do. You reach out with humor even. And you are clever with taking us somewhere. I felt something happen when February turned up. I could not put my finger on it. But you did. You make me feel like I had company, not knowing what happened. Today, humor returned in spades. Not sure where that came from either. I was grateful to run into you today. And you had the nicest smile.
Thanks for your words, Margot. I saw you across the room on Saturday and I headed right toward you. :) H
Dear Hal, today's edition of "Living in a Body" compels me to reach out, to do what I can to comfort you in the midst of such bleak days. Maybe ironically, maybe perversely, maybe because of poetry and grace, I am energized by your voice. That's not to say that I celebrate your struggles; I am deeply sorry for your suffering. But I celebrate the light of the voice that comes from within the darkness, connecting all those who suffer, that is, all. What I offer today is gratitude and encouragement, truly a reflection of the light received from you returned with a blessing from me. Holding you in my heart.
Thank you Eric. This is helpful. I will keep going. :) H
Hugs for you Hal. Giant compassionate all encompassing warm healing hugs. Love yourself the best.
Thank you, Marianne. H
Much love.
Thank you, Cathy. :) H
I'm in a puddle of sadness right now so thank u for bringing the connected puddle...
There's no splashing or splishing or splosh ing just a flat empty void. A dark dirty puddle of denseness.
Been in flare up since Friday it never gets easier mentally or emotionally. I go from the elation of less symptoms: able to take the trash out, walk the garden and talk to people. To being a horizontal miserable recluse I just tried to hang some pictures up - bad idea .
Less joint and muscle pain today but the head nerve pain and tinnitus show up louder after minimal exertion and yep the body and mental exhaustion ( folks please don't compare us to a normal tiredness or exhaustion it pales in comparison . 🙃
This right here tapping this phone key pad may be too much and I'll go into a comatose state for 1.5 hrs of what seems like unconsciousness.
So my thoughts on listening 'well at least there is getting out on the scooter and community interaction !' But hey I remember when that could happen and it comes with its own feelings and experience.
Whatever the chronic illness and whatever the severity it comes with a sense of being ' not like you ' and not like ' how I was and not part of the ' main human race ..
I'm angry and frustrated today and I wanna scream at God ' what the fuck ' but I'm not supposed to swear as a Christian. Maybe God doesn't even understand swearing and I could just go ahead?
I decided 2 days ago ( shit I thought I'd lost my writing then - it's good for the universe I didn't! . )
I decided 2 days ago that I need some percussion in my life.
I figure if solitary confinement is my reality I may as well may some noise and who knows even some sweetness in the environment. Regaae man upstairs has stopped orchestrating his boom bass speakers ( he actually plays some good stuff it just doesn't marry too well with meditation. So there seems some room for sound being created in my new apartment without the risk of a court order.
I had a harmonica and for some crazy reason got rid of it along with shaker eggs. Must have been having one of my '
I need to down size moments of which I always regret later down the line .
But hey grateful I can replenish. I've just ordered a mini tongue drum and music book.... That will be fun they sound amazingly beautiful..
Ok time to go tinnitus has ramped up and nerve head pain... Right in the temple.
Thanks for sharing, thanks for surviving.. Not alone so many many of us... Behind our doors.
One day it will be gone and let's pray it comes sooner...
We're amazing... I mean all people's are living on this beautiful spinning blue and green ball of beauty and madness...
Bye from now from England or should I say tooo da looo
Sending love and sharing tears, Emma. ❤️
Hal do u know any other chronic illness people who have a blog here on substack?
There's one called "The Rest Room," by Natasha Lipman. You should find it with a search on Substack.
I am glad that you did those wheelies! And that you were grateful for the table to hold you up for a bit. Even in times of deep sadness, there are wheelies and helpful circumstances.
Yes, Missy. Wheelies are good. ❤️
Dear Hal,
Your words are so brilliantly written and your voice is just as perfect. Thank you for sharing.
Love, Alace xx
Thanks Alace. Love, Hal xx
Dear Hal, I love that bits of your self-aware humor are irrepressible even when talking about your very real sadness. This podcast's harmonica riffs hold a lot of bright note "blues" amongst all the gray. Feeling the love...
Thanks so much Diana. I appreciate your words and the fact that you keep listening. :) H