"the dance we continually participate in with our very closest companions", that's a beautifully poetic way to put it Patris, thanks so much for your kind words.
Jonathan, you have given a powerful lesson in letting go of the unnecessary burdens in silence. The will to release is what we must seek, or we will be captive of bad memories instead of shedding them. Bravo again!
There’s an interesting phenomenon in writing, I think, where the personal and the universal experience merge into one. A very communal human capacity, to empathise and feel, is embedded in reading and writing. It’s wonderful.
Thanks for your kind comment Diane, I’m so glad you’re connecting with my writing
“The mental henchmen” creates a powerful visual for me in a good way. So many stories I’ve been told through my years that I don’t remember being a part of, yet supposedly I was.
Forgiveness is a merciful friend, which when followed by forgetting can complete the needed healing. Thank you Jonathan
There are times when reading a piece of work that probes tender places, those hidden inside the most inner dark folds, feelings emerge that I can't adequately express in English. And I curse myself for this lack of skill/knowledge? because it takes me eons to write a comment and I don't even get close to what I really want to say. And then a little voice laughs in my head and asks me, "Didn't you just understand everything you just read?" Well, I did, and the most important thing is how that made me feel. And all I can say is thank you, Jonathan.
Thanks Fotini, I’m so glad you’ve read this and enjoyed this piece.
I know what you mean about language, I feel the same in Swedish. Sometimes when I’m speaking it’s like I’m reading lines written by someone else rather than speaking my own, like there’s a minuscule distance between the words and myself. (Your English sees impeccable to me!).
…and I discovered they were not the telling of me…
The loosening grip on personal narrative is such a necessary exhale of identity. Like learning one’s scales in order to improvise, the form, too, is essential, and then one day like your own lifted starlings, is not.
What a heady celebration of a piece you wrote here! Gave me the happy brain-tingles. Love how you use vowel sounds so musically in your writing. Will be revisiting this one.
Beautiful, my family stories were popping into my head as I read this, the many things we have framed to be retold or hidden to forget. Lovely piece, that I'll come back to again!!
Thank you Jonathan, this is a beautiful article that will stay with in me, snaking into my memories and forming new threads. I love this so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Patris said it best and I have little to add. I cannot capture enough words to describe all the feelings your article brings forth, dear Jonathan. I will be printing and sharing this, while reflecting upon it for many moons.
Yes, the depth of our illusions continually arise with hopes we shall one day comprehend the complexity of our lives and dreams. Blessings for your fascinating perspective. 🥰
Humbled by the depth of comprehension of family and memory and the dance we continually participate in with our very closest companions.
"the dance we continually participate in with our very closest companions", that's a beautifully poetic way to put it Patris, thanks so much for your kind words.
You captured a memory of mine in yours, Jonathan. I thank you.
Jonathan, you have given a powerful lesson in letting go of the unnecessary burdens in silence. The will to release is what we must seek, or we will be captive of bad memories instead of shedding them. Bravo again!
There’s an interesting phenomenon in writing, I think, where the personal and the universal experience merge into one. A very communal human capacity, to empathise and feel, is embedded in reading and writing. It’s wonderful.
Thanks for your kind comment Diane, I’m so glad you’re connecting with my writing
Thank you, Jonathan. I’m glad I found you!
Than you!
So, so beautiful and lovely. Thank you for sharing this!
And thank you for reading and commenting so kindly Danielle :)
“The mental henchmen” creates a powerful visual for me in a good way. So many stories I’ve been told through my years that I don’t remember being a part of, yet supposedly I was.
Forgiveness is a merciful friend, which when followed by forgetting can complete the needed healing. Thank you Jonathan
That such a great comment Teyani, thanks! (I liked that line too!). 🙏🏼
There are times when reading a piece of work that probes tender places, those hidden inside the most inner dark folds, feelings emerge that I can't adequately express in English. And I curse myself for this lack of skill/knowledge? because it takes me eons to write a comment and I don't even get close to what I really want to say. And then a little voice laughs in my head and asks me, "Didn't you just understand everything you just read?" Well, I did, and the most important thing is how that made me feel. And all I can say is thank you, Jonathan.
Thanks Fotini, I’m so glad you’ve read this and enjoyed this piece.
I know what you mean about language, I feel the same in Swedish. Sometimes when I’m speaking it’s like I’m reading lines written by someone else rather than speaking my own, like there’s a minuscule distance between the words and myself. (Your English sees impeccable to me!).
Anyway, so happy you’re here
Happy to be around, Jonathan!
I think that 'minuscule distance' describes perfectly the feeling...
…and I discovered they were not the telling of me…
The loosening grip on personal narrative is such a necessary exhale of identity. Like learning one’s scales in order to improvise, the form, too, is essential, and then one day like your own lifted starlings, is not.
Beautifully said, and quite right :)
Good grief, I’m sighing again…. You make me throw down my pen!
Divine and thought provoking writing which I have saved to read again…
Thank you 🙏🏼. I’m very touched at your generosity. Ok, I hope I’m not pushing my luck but I’m going to suggest one more:
https://jonathanfostersthecrow.substack.com/p/a-love-letter-a-kind-of-prayer-a
Not at all… It is highly likely I will read many more of your letters, perhaps you might find a few minutes to read one of mine too… :-)
https://open.substack.com/pub/ahillandi/p/february-endlesslywalking?r=1mrn9s&utm_medium=ios
What a heady celebration of a piece you wrote here! Gave me the happy brain-tingles. Love how you use vowel sounds so musically in your writing. Will be revisiting this one.
That’s so interesting, it’s never occurred to me that I do that, with vowels. So glad you like this one :)
This is powerful honest writing. Comes straight from the heart.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Lily. Bit risky suggesting a piece really. So I’m relieved :)
Beautiful, my family stories were popping into my head as I read this, the many things we have framed to be retold or hidden to forget. Lovely piece, that I'll come back to again!!
Thanks Dinah. So much universality in all of our individual experiences. Different, different but same :)
Thank you Jonathan, this is a beautiful article that will stay with in me, snaking into my memories and forming new threads. I love this so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Emma. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one.
Nothing short of profound
Thanks for reading and commenting Nancy. I’m so pleased you’ve connected with my writing here :)
Patris said it best and I have little to add. I cannot capture enough words to describe all the feelings your article brings forth, dear Jonathan. I will be printing and sharing this, while reflecting upon it for many moons.
Yes, the depth of our illusions continually arise with hopes we shall one day comprehend the complexity of our lives and dreams. Blessings for your fascinating perspective. 🥰
I’m so glad you found something to connect to in my writing Florence. Thanks for your kind words
Really very good.
I appreciate that Wes :)
i cannot speak. you took my words away and gave me the silence you gifted this reader. thank you
Sounds peaceful Alixandra, thanks for reading and glad you enjoyed :)
Wrapped up in a tightly woven story. Nice. Thanks This Is Us