58 Comments
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Julia Stueber's avatar

Sending you gentle hugs and cheerleader waves from Germany. I have ME/CFS myself, but „only“ mild with a flare up right now to moderate. I know how hard it is when one does all the things right and still feel worse. I love how raw and honest this essay was from you. Keep going!

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Hal Walker's avatar

HI Julia! I just subscribed. I'm glad to meet you. Yes... doing everything right and still feeling worse is maddening. Thank you. H

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Julia Stueber's avatar

Thank you so much for subscribing! Do you feel at least a tiny bit better today?

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Hal Walker's avatar

I woke up a little bit more hopeful today. thanks!

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Julia Stueber's avatar

That is great to hear. I find that hope often comes first and then the rest of it catches up.

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Rick Hawksley's avatar

Hi Hal,

I know that we haven't talked in a long time.

I too want to join the chorus of the grateful that even as you are in the hardest "class" you could have ever imagined you are still using your gifts and talents not only as your own therapeutic but to reach out to others.

This metaphor of being in a classroom has a universal value. Every adult has been in a classroom in their lives, with greater or lesser success. You are a teacher at heart and you have many students. Good teachers get up every day eager to learn themselves and find new and creative ways to share what they have learned with their students. I guess as you learn lessons and share them, you are being faithful to who your calling.

I haven't taken many opportunities in my busy life to stop and read your writing, but I am glad this one came across my inbox this morning.

Peace to you as you face this hard class. We are with you, and eager to learn.

Rick

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Hal Walker's avatar

Hi Rick. Your comment means alot to me. Thank you so much, neighbor. I'm looking forward to checking out your Substack. H

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Carol Bailey Floyd's avatar

I have been your cheerleader ever since I first heard you playing, oh so long ago. You have been on Unity Chapel of Light’s Prayer List for a long time, so the people in the Prayer Circle are your cheerleaders too. If you could calculate how many people are out there rooting for you, it would be amazing! I bet you could fill a stadium! And all the people whose lives you have touched, even if they don’t know your situation, have fond feelings for you!! The children you have inspired carry those memories into adulthood. You are surrounded by love, Hal Walker!! I am glad you are able to reach out here. Your words matter. Your life matters. ♥️♥️♥️Hal♥️♥️♥️

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Hal Walker's avatar

Thank you so much, Carol. I appreciate these words. ❤️ H

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C Walker's avatar

and I hope it doesn’t sound like “toxic positivity because 😝

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C Walker's avatar

“Microjoys don't change the truth of loss or make grief any more convenient, but they allow us to temporarily touch joy, keeping us buoyed and moving forward, one moment at a time.”

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C Walker's avatar

Damn. I would give anything to march into the principal’s office and get you out of that class.

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Hal Walker's avatar

I would definitely choose you to go to the principal's office for me. ❤️

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Hal Walker's avatar

I would definitely choose you to go to the principal's office for me. ❤️

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Scott MacInnis's avatar

My phone is 3038759446 text me a photo, full length, looking into the camara and I’ll put you on my quantum healing machine. In the meantime here’s some energy

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Hal Walker's avatar

Thanks Scott. Will do. H

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Jim Scott's avatar

I gave you an A+ in that damn class. Also an A+ as a teacher.

Sending love and sexy, flying, inspired Cheers.

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Hal Walker's avatar

Thanks so much, Jim. I love those cheers. :)

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Isabel Farnsworth's avatar

Hi Hal,

Thanks for this honest and poignant writing. I wish you also had that easy, lite, fun class to balance this hard, all encompassing class, out. Cool that your friend Chris Martin set you up with some tudors. Ellie bought a used record player from a garage sale recently and one of the few vinyls she has is an older Coldplay one, we were just talking about how you’re friends with Chris. I hope the breathing and TM help. Xox

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Hal Walker's avatar

Thank you, Isabel. Hello to Ellie and her new record player. I'm already enjoying the TM. :)

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Camille Pavlicek Fauser's avatar

Love you back, neighbor! While I recognize that you are in the hard class, you are using your education there to teach us. Thank you ❤️

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Hal Walker's avatar

Thank you, neighbor. I enjoy running into you at the farmer's market. H

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Jennifer May's avatar

Hal, it is unfathomable that someone who brings such joy into the world should be experiencing so much sorrow and pain. I hesitate to comment for fear of saying something lame or insincere sounding. I don't know how to be of support but I do listen and pray. I'm here if there's anything I can do for you. With love.

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Hal Walker's avatar

Thank you, Jen. One of the things I miss the most is Thursday nights with the Fallow Time Folk Orchestra. Those were some good times. ❤️

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Jennifer May's avatar

Me too, Hal. I love making music with you.

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Janee Krimmer's avatar

You have a huge team that is sending love and like me, hugs and caring loving thoughts. I am sorry that you have been chosen for this class. It is good to know you have been finding some new ways to cope.

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Shaz's avatar

Sending you the encouragement you asked for. Your words really help me and sure they help others too, in this hard class.

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Hal Walker's avatar

Thank you, Sharon. We're not alone.

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Howard Hobbs's avatar

I really don’t know what to say, Hal, but I feel that I should say something. To begin with, your unedited piece is just fine. A little rough in places, but perfectly understandable. Perfection is the enemy of getting anything done (I know this from personal experience). I’m sorry that you’re going through this, and I certainly hope that you can graduate someday. Breathing and meditation are good for anyone (says the guy who doesn’t practice them very often). Ironically, I probably won’t practice them much until I face some huge setback myself.

You aren’t dead yet... keep on keeping on!

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Hal Walker's avatar

Thank you Howard.

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Abigail Mann's avatar

Cheerleading you from England, Hal, always. Your words are powerful, you are powerful, and that transcends everything. ✨

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Peppur's avatar

You did it! And it is exactly as it could/should be. Thank you for sharing! Maybe a live Zoom for 15 min would be a good way to connect with folk and your readers...? :)

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Hal Walker's avatar

That’s an interesting idea, Peppur. Thanks

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