To find a doctor in the midst of hell who sees Sophie’s intelligence, to celebrate a marriage in a city under siege, this is what we must hold onto — thank you for this beautiful writing and congratulations on the publication!
Whoa, Nelly, that’s a lot to unpack! So much to think about, I need to “go out in the hallway” and sit for a bit. In the meantime, congratulations on the publication, can’t wait to read it.
I’ve treasured the advice of my very first therapist, an intern at UC Berkeley MSW school. I was having panic attacks due to PTSD which wasn’t a thing yet, another form of out of body-ness. She gave me permission to go to the bathroom as often as I needed without explaining. But I didn’t have to leave my kiddo in the hands of the phlebotomist, even with and Angel, however kind and accomplished both were. You and your daughter are warriors. In the brawl for answers. So great to write ✍️ about your experience for us and a university journal! 🏆
I cringe at the word 'listicle' too - it has an echo of 'testicle' and we've had quite enough of that. Love your honest and beautiful posts. Life is so hard, but still there is beauty - and a cake!
You have brought me to the tears of strength and solidarity and reminders that those who walk toward truth and goodness and beauty and love are not few and far between. I know I've said this before, but I love your writing so much, whatever you write about -- it's all so clear and conscious and brilliant. And I look forward to reading that essay when it comes out!
This and you and Sophie are absolutely beautiful. Our Saturday march was 70,000 strong and joyful and wonderful and peaceful and glorious. Just glorious. There were puppets and butterflies and trans lovers and people in wheelchairs and NO POLICE. I must write about it soon.
Beautiful cakes! Such a talent you are, Elizabeth.
Heartbreaking angst, the two words overwhelm me as I read your posts. I cannot imagine this mountain you climb. 😭
Congratulations! I’ll stay tuned, I so want to read your article. You have a gift with words, parallels and factions. Truly a gift!
I looked and tried to find myself, the easy answer would have been a weaver, but it’s hot as Hades here in Texas, humid as well. Too ghastly to pick up my knitting needles. Perhaps I am a gifter, trying to find some solace as I remind myself that all we are promised is this, right here, right now. So I breathe, try to gift myself patience, remind myself that I am one, of so many, simply trying to balance life. We must all wrap around ourselves the gift of hope and resilience. We are all worthy of hope.
I do know what you're talking about and thank you.
Please let us know when and where we can find your piece. That is fantastic, Elizabeth. As is finding a doctor that studies and listens and cares.
I have never had an out of body experience quite like that. Strangely enough though, I'm listening to Viola Davis's book, "Finding Me," and she describes having an experience exactly like that. How very interesting.
That cake is tremendously lovely. It sings of hope and of love. That is what we all need.
It never ends, does it? The treatment, the hope, the searching, the never ending hope that something will make things better, not just Sophie but Miss Katie too. This past year has been difficult for her, so much anxiety, so much acting out. I fear menopause will be awful for her. I just fear for her in general. I just finished reading a book about the end of civilization as we know it, due to an electromagnetic pulse that wipes out infrastructure, vehicles, electricity, etc. I got to the end of the book and thought, what about the disabled people? Which made me worry about Katie. She turned 33 last week, hard to believe.
Is that the wedding cake?? It’s stunning! So many things in this post. Congrats on your piece being chosen. You will always write write, even when you don’t think you are, it is your art, you are your art, and I am grateful for the insistence of it, even when your attention is drawn elsewhere. The wedding sounds wonderful. The neurologist hopeful. The testing, endless, dispiriting, brave Sophie. Brave you.
Congratulations on your upcoming publication, Elizabeth! That's great news. Be sure to post a link when it comes out. I found it very moving when you described the doctor talking to Sophie and including her in the process. And the idea of LA being eerily quiet and subdued is fascinating and creepy, too. Will the world ever be normal again?
that cake. your words. You write write everytime you post, my dear. Congrats on the upcoming piece, but really, thank you for all your words. Esp the drug names. Also, parking garages are their own kinda hell.
Bravo! Love your writing and so admire your fortitude and bravery as you suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune with originality and humour and endless endurance.
It's always good to come here and read of your life in thoughts. Take care of yourself and Sophie, you fierce mama, you! You are in our thoughts. Beautiful cake and delicious, I'm sure. x0x0 N2
To find a doctor in the midst of hell who sees Sophie’s intelligence, to celebrate a marriage in a city under siege, this is what we must hold onto — thank you for this beautiful writing and congratulations on the publication!
Whoa, Nelly, that’s a lot to unpack! So much to think about, I need to “go out in the hallway” and sit for a bit. In the meantime, congratulations on the publication, can’t wait to read it.
I’ve treasured the advice of my very first therapist, an intern at UC Berkeley MSW school. I was having panic attacks due to PTSD which wasn’t a thing yet, another form of out of body-ness. She gave me permission to go to the bathroom as often as I needed without explaining. But I didn’t have to leave my kiddo in the hands of the phlebotomist, even with and Angel, however kind and accomplished both were. You and your daughter are warriors. In the brawl for answers. So great to write ✍️ about your experience for us and a university journal! 🏆
I cringe at the word 'listicle' too - it has an echo of 'testicle' and we've had quite enough of that. Love your honest and beautiful posts. Life is so hard, but still there is beauty - and a cake!
You have brought me to the tears of strength and solidarity and reminders that those who walk toward truth and goodness and beauty and love are not few and far between. I know I've said this before, but I love your writing so much, whatever you write about -- it's all so clear and conscious and brilliant. And I look forward to reading that essay when it comes out!
This and you and Sophie are absolutely beautiful. Our Saturday march was 70,000 strong and joyful and wonderful and peaceful and glorious. Just glorious. There were puppets and butterflies and trans lovers and people in wheelchairs and NO POLICE. I must write about it soon.
I love you eternally,
Beth Shoun (luminous cloud)
Beautiful cakes! Such a talent you are, Elizabeth.
Heartbreaking angst, the two words overwhelm me as I read your posts. I cannot imagine this mountain you climb. 😭
Congratulations! I’ll stay tuned, I so want to read your article. You have a gift with words, parallels and factions. Truly a gift!
I looked and tried to find myself, the easy answer would have been a weaver, but it’s hot as Hades here in Texas, humid as well. Too ghastly to pick up my knitting needles. Perhaps I am a gifter, trying to find some solace as I remind myself that all we are promised is this, right here, right now. So I breathe, try to gift myself patience, remind myself that I am one, of so many, simply trying to balance life. We must all wrap around ourselves the gift of hope and resilience. We are all worthy of hope.
❤️
I do know what you're talking about and thank you.
Please let us know when and where we can find your piece. That is fantastic, Elizabeth. As is finding a doctor that studies and listens and cares.
I have never had an out of body experience quite like that. Strangely enough though, I'm listening to Viola Davis's book, "Finding Me," and she describes having an experience exactly like that. How very interesting.
That cake is tremendously lovely. It sings of hope and of love. That is what we all need.
Your cake was beautiful. You are too.
That chart the cake the nurturing interdependence your out of body observations and yet and yet here you are we are Sophie’s gaze. Connecting.
It never ends, does it? The treatment, the hope, the searching, the never ending hope that something will make things better, not just Sophie but Miss Katie too. This past year has been difficult for her, so much anxiety, so much acting out. I fear menopause will be awful for her. I just fear for her in general. I just finished reading a book about the end of civilization as we know it, due to an electromagnetic pulse that wipes out infrastructure, vehicles, electricity, etc. I got to the end of the book and thought, what about the disabled people? Which made me worry about Katie. She turned 33 last week, hard to believe.
Sending hugs and love Elizabeth.
Is that the wedding cake?? It’s stunning! So many things in this post. Congrats on your piece being chosen. You will always write write, even when you don’t think you are, it is your art, you are your art, and I am grateful for the insistence of it, even when your attention is drawn elsewhere. The wedding sounds wonderful. The neurologist hopeful. The testing, endless, dispiriting, brave Sophie. Brave you.
Congratulations on your upcoming publication, Elizabeth! That's great news. Be sure to post a link when it comes out. I found it very moving when you described the doctor talking to Sophie and including her in the process. And the idea of LA being eerily quiet and subdued is fascinating and creepy, too. Will the world ever be normal again?
that cake. your words. You write write everytime you post, my dear. Congrats on the upcoming piece, but really, thank you for all your words. Esp the drug names. Also, parking garages are their own kinda hell.
Bravo! Love your writing and so admire your fortitude and bravery as you suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune with originality and humour and endless endurance.
Thank you Elizabeth, so eloquent in being human, and as Chris says, connecting.
It's always good to come here and read of your life in thoughts. Take care of yourself and Sophie, you fierce mama, you! You are in our thoughts. Beautiful cake and delicious, I'm sure. x0x0 N2