I’m retiring on 4/28/2023 after 32 years as an attorney in the Office of the Public Defender (State of Florida). I’m looking forward to it - at the same time I’m a little apprehensive. BUT I know it’s the right time and I know I’ll be ok.
I like many other of your readers, saw myself mirrored in your words. Thank you for finding the right words to describe how I feel while providing reassurance because we are using similar tactics to strengthen ourselves. I am sending best wishes to you on your journey out of isolation.
It is interesting to know that you and people like Rachel Maddow are introverts. Been called 'shy' all my life and it has always bothered me. I am about to turn 80 in a couple of months and I'm here to tell you, a tiger does not change her stripes. I hate small talk, if I want to know about the weather, I'll look out the window on check the net. Love to read and my partner and I enjoy the silence in each other's company sometimes. Doesn't mean we are not engaged; we have been activist most of our lives. Nice piece Mary, be well.
Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.” - Khalil Gibran
Can totally relate and really identify with your statement... “Still, the effort to be among people takes a toll. Being social is a muscle that has atrophied. While I try to strengthen it, I’ve found that it’s really important to find a balance in other ways. I work a lot. Too much, probably, and often at the expense of other things.”
I’m now starting to realize that for the last 40 plus years I’ve been “acting” like an extrovert. My true self came (back) out during the shutdown and I’m glad to have it back but am struggling with getting my life back to “normal”!
Thank you for sharing both the lovely pic and what you've been experiencing. The openness and sensitivity you convey in pieces like this are helpful to and very much appreciated by those of us who may relate to certain aspects. I'm sorry your planned writing time didn't go quite as expected. It sounds like your week back has been restorative, though. I hope that continues for you. Cap and Linden look precious! Please take good care.
Made a trip to NYC especially to see Judy’s superb new show...I’m so proud of her for this accomplishment! (Such a balancing act between being hilarious yet deeply thought-provoking and moving.) Thank you for the reminder about self-care during these traumatic times...just gazing at your pic of the breakwater and meadow brings a moment of peace. 🙏🏼
Thank you Mary for putting into words what we all are feeling at this moment in time . Sometimes we feel there is no refuge from the cyclical onslaught of varying degrees to which the bottom has no end . It feels at times the wuthering noise crashing in on itself becomes all the more destabilizing. Your trapped and it paralyzes you. So much so you shutdown. You try to regain so semblance of control but none can you find . You try to reach out only to realize, upon who can you turn to. (Where do I go what do I do? HELP!) Then one day another crisis hits a family member dead from COVID a job lost mortgage payments due how do I feed my family in my case move four families to New York . For myself I haven’t got time to feel any longer what these last six years have done . I’m sure most here would agree ; when so many people in our families our lives need us the most. This realization is my prayer that will hopefully align all of us who share the same values and strive to work hard and demand better for us collectively. I say here and now look into the eyes of the people you meet along the way ; something in that moment is handed over . It is up to us all to be kind and empathetic … I dream a world.
These could be my words, so deeply did they touch me. Thank you, Mary. And here are some of my words from back when COVID seemed to be "over....."
Simple Things
Such a simple thing
A hug
A glad hello
A quick goodbye
It does not even qualify
As an embrace
But after days
And weeks
And months
Without a single human touch
You, still new to me,
Held out your arms
And so did I
Both trying not to cry
We clung together
Desperate to be heart to heart
To be held and warmed
To hear another breathe
With no space between
You said through tears
“This is my first one.”
And I knew then
A hug is after all
not such a simple thing
When one has been
For so very long
So terribly alone.
Frances Kern
March 27, 2021
Thank you, Mary, for making introverts not feel alone. Social situations are more stressful for me, too.
I’m retiring on 4/28/2023 after 32 years as an attorney in the Office of the Public Defender (State of Florida). I’m looking forward to it - at the same time I’m a little apprehensive. BUT I know it’s the right time and I know I’ll be ok.
I like many other of your readers, saw myself mirrored in your words. Thank you for finding the right words to describe how I feel while providing reassurance because we are using similar tactics to strengthen ourselves. I am sending best wishes to you on your journey out of isolation.
I'm in the same place as you wrote of, very eerie to hear it from another. But also welcoming.. thank you 😊
It is interesting to know that you and people like Rachel Maddow are introverts. Been called 'shy' all my life and it has always bothered me. I am about to turn 80 in a couple of months and I'm here to tell you, a tiger does not change her stripes. I hate small talk, if I want to know about the weather, I'll look out the window on check the net. Love to read and my partner and I enjoy the silence in each other's company sometimes. Doesn't mean we are not engaged; we have been activist most of our lives. Nice piece Mary, be well.
Lovely......
Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.” - Khalil Gibran
Can totally relate and really identify with your statement... “Still, the effort to be among people takes a toll. Being social is a muscle that has atrophied. While I try to strengthen it, I’ve found that it’s really important to find a balance in other ways. I work a lot. Too much, probably, and often at the expense of other things.”
I’m now starting to realize that for the last 40 plus years I’ve been “acting” like an extrovert. My true self came (back) out during the shutdown and I’m glad to have it back but am struggling with getting my life back to “normal”!
Thank you for sharing both the lovely pic and what you've been experiencing. The openness and sensitivity you convey in pieces like this are helpful to and very much appreciated by those of us who may relate to certain aspects. I'm sorry your planned writing time didn't go quite as expected. It sounds like your week back has been restorative, though. I hope that continues for you. Cap and Linden look precious! Please take good care.
💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💪💪💚💚💚💚💚
This was so lovely 🥲💙
Thank you, Mary. No matter which direction you face you look ahead.
Made a trip to NYC especially to see Judy’s superb new show...I’m so proud of her for this accomplishment! (Such a balancing act between being hilarious yet deeply thought-provoking and moving.) Thank you for the reminder about self-care during these traumatic times...just gazing at your pic of the breakwater and meadow brings a moment of peace. 🙏🏼
Thank you Mary for putting into words what we all are feeling at this moment in time . Sometimes we feel there is no refuge from the cyclical onslaught of varying degrees to which the bottom has no end . It feels at times the wuthering noise crashing in on itself becomes all the more destabilizing. Your trapped and it paralyzes you. So much so you shutdown. You try to regain so semblance of control but none can you find . You try to reach out only to realize, upon who can you turn to. (Where do I go what do I do? HELP!) Then one day another crisis hits a family member dead from COVID a job lost mortgage payments due how do I feed my family in my case move four families to New York . For myself I haven’t got time to feel any longer what these last six years have done . I’m sure most here would agree ; when so many people in our families our lives need us the most. This realization is my prayer that will hopefully align all of us who share the same values and strive to work hard and demand better for us collectively. I say here and now look into the eyes of the people you meet along the way ; something in that moment is handed over . It is up to us all to be kind and empathetic … I dream a world.
I was at Judy Golds’ show. When she mentioned you met because you’re neighbors I thought I need to move there I need to laugh & I need therapy!
I never wanted the night to end!
It was the first time I had fun since COVID!
I felt too shy to speak but I read your book. My heart broke for your Dad & your relationship with your grandmother.
I appreciate so much that you appeared with Judy Gold!
Thank you!