Debbie! First, hello! ...I'm just discovering substack and was thrilled when I saw that you are using this platform. And second, thank you so much for this post (among other things). I concur with the bittersweet scenario that are the holidays due the demise of my first marriage, with the crash and burn smack dab in the middle of December. It was the worst. Point being... thanks for reminding me that it's okay to feel sad about things. You have such a lovely way of showing the good, hope and insight in all things. And at the risk of irony, happy holidays! :-)
Kary, thank you! Also, this was my first personal essay post in this new Substack newsletter, which I just launched today. How did you find it? I haven't promoted it anywhere yet. Anyway, THANK YOU for being my very first commenter.
I'm sorry to hear about your first marriage, especially in the middle of December. And YES, I have learned (but still have to keep reminding myself of this) that it's okay to feel sad sometimes, that acknowledging our negative emotions is just as important as acknowledging the positive emotions.
Congrats on the new launch! I think I found Red Balloon through your other substack string(Inky Girl?) which I just joined yesterday. I think this was linked to it? A guess since I am just learning how to navigate this app. And no worries on the first marriage- it's all good now. Just realized that it can still be a trigger for this time of year. Nice to connect again. Hope to see you at an upcoming event (Maybe NYC?). -k
Welcome! This tugs at my heart, as I’m a great lover of Christmas, but I also crave simplicity at this time of year. I like to resist the complexity of the season by spending more time on quiet hikes. I’ve also recently lost my dad, and well, you know, Debbie. I’m happy you’ve found your way to Substack. I hope it’s a great canvas for your creativity!
I found this substack through my Notes feed and I am glad I did. I watched the Red Balloon short film on the intro post and it lifted my spirits. Thank you Debbie, and it is my belief that you started this substack to spread hope even in times of despair, like in the film. So my red balloon for you at this moment, to look past you scrooge moments, is this message that I wrote for this holiday season: https://rajofftherecord.substack.com/p/tis-the-time-to-_______
Welcome here Debbie! That is a touching essay. "I suddenly felt a rush of affection for these strangers, most of whom I would never see again, and found myself hoping for each one’s safety and happiness and that they would each find a measure of peace." - I often feel that way too. We're all connected, briefly or not.
Hi Debbie.. its so nice to see you back here on Substack.. though I am myself hibernating from here for sometime while finishing up the last minute client deadlines.
I'm guessing we have (almost all of us?) have had this kind of a moment, both the moment of frustration and the moment that something (in this case, silence, a moment, music) jars us out of our current curmudgeonliness and into a different state of mind where we can notice and transcend and even come to care for the strangers around us! Silence or musical soundwaves can be all we need to recalibrate and re-regulate. Glad to see you have started a new Stack; and I LOVE the name. The Red Balloon is one of my all-time favorites. Never failes to jerk a tear or two at the end.
The best lesson I learned for moments like these is to go out and help someone, when you see that their day has been made even just a tad bit better, you start to believe that maybe just maybe you are capable of also making yourself feel a bit better today. I mean look at heir smiles
Debbie! First, hello! ...I'm just discovering substack and was thrilled when I saw that you are using this platform. And second, thank you so much for this post (among other things). I concur with the bittersweet scenario that are the holidays due the demise of my first marriage, with the crash and burn smack dab in the middle of December. It was the worst. Point being... thanks for reminding me that it's okay to feel sad about things. You have such a lovely way of showing the good, hope and insight in all things. And at the risk of irony, happy holidays! :-)
Kary, thank you! Also, this was my first personal essay post in this new Substack newsletter, which I just launched today. How did you find it? I haven't promoted it anywhere yet. Anyway, THANK YOU for being my very first commenter.
I'm sorry to hear about your first marriage, especially in the middle of December. And YES, I have learned (but still have to keep reminding myself of this) that it's okay to feel sad sometimes, that acknowledging our negative emotions is just as important as acknowledging the positive emotions.
Happy Holidays to you, too. ❤️
Congrats on the new launch! I think I found Red Balloon through your other substack string(Inky Girl?) which I just joined yesterday. I think this was linked to it? A guess since I am just learning how to navigate this app. And no worries on the first marriage- it's all good now. Just realized that it can still be a trigger for this time of year. Nice to connect again. Hope to see you at an upcoming event (Maybe NYC?). -k
You mean at the SCBWI Winter Conference in NYC? Yes, I'll be there, too!
Welcome! This tugs at my heart, as I’m a great lover of Christmas, but I also crave simplicity at this time of year. I like to resist the complexity of the season by spending more time on quiet hikes. I’ve also recently lost my dad, and well, you know, Debbie. I’m happy you’ve found your way to Substack. I hope it’s a great canvas for your creativity!
I'm so sorry to hear about your father, Ann. And thank you for the kind words. ❤️
I found this substack through my Notes feed and I am glad I did. I watched the Red Balloon short film on the intro post and it lifted my spirits. Thank you Debbie, and it is my belief that you started this substack to spread hope even in times of despair, like in the film. So my red balloon for you at this moment, to look past you scrooge moments, is this message that I wrote for this holiday season: https://rajofftherecord.substack.com/p/tis-the-time-to-_______
Thank you, Raj!
Welcome here Debbie! That is a touching essay. "I suddenly felt a rush of affection for these strangers, most of whom I would never see again, and found myself hoping for each one’s safety and happiness and that they would each find a measure of peace." - I often feel that way too. We're all connected, briefly or not.
Thank you, Nadia. And I agree -- we are all connected.
So glad to see you on Substack! I love your books 🥰
Thank you, Jenna!
Hi Debbie.. its so nice to see you back here on Substack.. though I am myself hibernating from here for sometime while finishing up the last minute client deadlines.
Thanks, Rekha! And yes, sometimes work deadlines need to take priority, don't they?
I'm guessing we have (almost all of us?) have had this kind of a moment, both the moment of frustration and the moment that something (in this case, silence, a moment, music) jars us out of our current curmudgeonliness and into a different state of mind where we can notice and transcend and even come to care for the strangers around us! Silence or musical soundwaves can be all we need to recalibrate and re-regulate. Glad to see you have started a new Stack; and I LOVE the name. The Red Balloon is one of my all-time favorites. Never failes to jerk a tear or two at the end.
Thank you, Emily, and 100% agree how each of us has moments that can jar us out of our curmudgeonly moods. ❤️
Awww...this is so lovely and relatable, Debbie. Scroogie humbugs are valid and welcome, and warm hugs back to you!
The best lesson I learned for moments like these is to go out and help someone, when you see that their day has been made even just a tad bit better, you start to believe that maybe just maybe you are capable of also making yourself feel a bit better today. I mean look at heir smiles