Leah, thank you so much for reading. Having been on both sides, I find so much beauty in the trusting relationship between patient-caregiver. I'm so glad that feeling came through for you.
Wonderful, chapter, Ann. I like this line especially: "Root to root, branch to branch, through all the seasons to come."
The description of Henrik and the tooth that needed to ber removed was excellent. As someone who has had a root canal and a few teeth removed, I can relate to Henrik. The sense of relief and deflated tension is something I will forever remember.
I am really enjoying this story of Annu and Olli, Ann. Thank you for sharing.
Neil, I'm sorry you had to experience that, but I hope you had the best possible care. When dentistry is done well, I think it is one of the sweetest, most gentle ways to take care of patients. This was my favorite chapter to write so far, because I have such strong feelings and a lifetime of experience to sift through. It's hard to imagine the high-tech healthcare world we now have with a simpler, more medieval approach. We are very lucky now. Thanks so much for reading! 💛
Wonderful, moving words, Ann. True carers are, indeed, a special kind of human. Like the intertwining roots of the forest, this tale is weaving it's magic within me. I agree with Neal in his comment, the sentence "root to root....." is particularly special. Thank you.
Oh Ann, so much tenderness in Annu’s way. Her purpose is clear, channeling love through her knowledge and skill. Yet as you describe, this is a time-bound love. I can feel Annu’s imagination soar even as she thinks about entangling with timeless love. How will she ever choose?!
Kimberly, I'm so thankful for your enthusiasm. What a boost it gives me to keep going! It's been surprising to me how the story is what it wants to be. Subconsciously, all writing is like that, I suppose. We live our own stories every day and bits of them keep weaving themselves into everything we make. I like that part very much :-)
Accompanying Annu on the journey through life and self toward actualization is heart-warming, illuminating and exciting. I suspect she will discover both a way to serve her calling and community, and to join her beloved in that forest. I cannot wait for the next chapter!
Kim, you are such a great intuitive reader! I've loved the process of trying to resolve her story in a way that feels satisfying. It's taken me a couple of tries to get there. When I hear you say "heartwarming, illuminating and exciting" I feel so lucky to have a reader as generous and open-hearted as you are.
You've written another beautiful chapter, Ann. Following Annu as she comes to terms with her life is so moving. And, as a nurse myself, I know the physical and emotional cost of caring for others is sometimes unbearably sweet, and at other times, deeply painful. I worked as a visiting nurse for many years and remember leaving homes some days and crying in my car over the suffering some had to endure. Always though, always a privilege to be with them. Thank you so much.
Oh, I feel you, Roseanne. The sweetness and the pain. The work and the honor of doing it--it's a call on one's life. And it's everything we could ever want. I have a wonderful colleague whose prayer every day is: "Use me." Much love to you, Roseanne 💛
Thank you, Wes, we’re all connected in so many ways we’ll never know or understand. But it is lovely to enjoy them through the things we make and share with each other.
Ann, this is such beautiful writing. So tender and nurturing. Annu's voice/essence is a comfort and radiates healing light, even on the page. I wonder if you plan to publish this and share with a larger audience. I have enjoyed reading every bit of it.
Thank you, MK, for encouraging me to imagine something more permanent coming from this small project. I’m never tired of thinking about the microseasons. And this nature-themed fairytale is, for me, a way to feel closer to my great-great grandma in her grief. It seems we live with a collective grief these days. And I think that’s probably always been true in one way or another. There’s always room for more healing and more love. Thank you for your loving attention and encouragement. It’s much appreciated.
Mmm. This chapter moved me the most, like it is the wave of the story growing within the waters, ready to crest — but not just yet.
What I love so much is how I enter deeply into the dreaming of the story. You have a gift for creating a soft threshold that is easy to move across…the texture of the story is alive, something to feel and admire, like I did yesterday in the weaver’s shop with her handwoven cloaks and shawls. I feel the glow and sweetness of the beeswax candles…each person coming to Annu for assistance.
Emma, it’s such a gift to be able to see my story through your eyes. I can picture you moving around the Weaver’s shop, appreciating the softness and warmth woven into each textile. We can’t help but weave something of ourselves into everything we make. Thank you for seeing the softness in my tale. That is more than I could ever ask or hope for in a reader. I so appreciate you.
Thank you, Brian. When I think about how we only get such a brief time to inhabit the physical world, it makes me really grateful to put my love into service—and to get up tomorrow and do it again. Thanks so much for reading this chapter. It got a little long. It’s hard to rein it in sometimes :-)
Because I have chronic fatigue syndrome, interactions at the social grocery often feel draining. But I have started to see them as a chance for me to give my full attention, like it's a gift. Instead of resisting and thinking about my own symptoms, I try to release my fear of getting overwhelmed and engage fully with the other person. I found to my surprise that I'm actually less drained that way. It was the resisting that took the most out of me. Thanks Ann, for sharing your wisdom.
A heart emoji seems so little to offer for what I felt stir and connect to your words. I am a retired health care professional; how true your words are regarding caregivers.
And then there is this….
This season of my life I am caring for 2 humans and 2 dogs, all nearing the end of their life cycles. And caring for me so that I may continue to care for them. Some days just like Annu it takes its toll and the weight is only released in private at the end of the day. And like Annu, I draw strength from nature throughout each day.
Thank you for this thoughtful story that can be, maybe will be, reflective of anyone and everyone’s life at some point.
Breathtakingly beautiful.
Leah, thank you so much for reading. Having been on both sides, I find so much beauty in the trusting relationship between patient-caregiver. I'm so glad that feeling came through for you.
Annu is a miracle worker.
We must have caught her on a good day Neil! Thank you for reading :-)
My pleasure, Ann. Think you mixed me with Mr. Barker ;-).
Alan
oh sorry alan!
So beautiful! I love Annu.
Also, the writing is exquisite.
Manuela, your encouragement means so much to me. I was afraid to write fiction, but readers like you have given me courage to try. xoxo 💛
Wonderful, chapter, Ann. I like this line especially: "Root to root, branch to branch, through all the seasons to come."
The description of Henrik and the tooth that needed to ber removed was excellent. As someone who has had a root canal and a few teeth removed, I can relate to Henrik. The sense of relief and deflated tension is something I will forever remember.
I am really enjoying this story of Annu and Olli, Ann. Thank you for sharing.
Neil, I'm sorry you had to experience that, but I hope you had the best possible care. When dentistry is done well, I think it is one of the sweetest, most gentle ways to take care of patients. This was my favorite chapter to write so far, because I have such strong feelings and a lifetime of experience to sift through. It's hard to imagine the high-tech healthcare world we now have with a simpler, more medieval approach. We are very lucky now. Thanks so much for reading! 💛
Wonderful, moving words, Ann. True carers are, indeed, a special kind of human. Like the intertwining roots of the forest, this tale is weaving it's magic within me. I agree with Neal in his comment, the sentence "root to root....." is particularly special. Thank you.
Thank you, Ralph! I'm delighted to weave something magical for you. This was a great joy to write. Two more chapters to go . . .☺️
This tale you are weaving is all its own…
By the same token, I keep thinking of Laurus. Do you know it?
Abbey, I haven’t t read that one, yet. Did you enjoy it?
Oh my goodness. One of the best novels I’ve read in years.
Oh Ann, so much tenderness in Annu’s way. Her purpose is clear, channeling love through her knowledge and skill. Yet as you describe, this is a time-bound love. I can feel Annu’s imagination soar even as she thinks about entangling with timeless love. How will she ever choose?!
Kimberly, I'm so thankful for your enthusiasm. What a boost it gives me to keep going! It's been surprising to me how the story is what it wants to be. Subconsciously, all writing is like that, I suppose. We live our own stories every day and bits of them keep weaving themselves into everything we make. I like that part very much :-)
Accompanying Annu on the journey through life and self toward actualization is heart-warming, illuminating and exciting. I suspect she will discover both a way to serve her calling and community, and to join her beloved in that forest. I cannot wait for the next chapter!
Kim, you are such a great intuitive reader! I've loved the process of trying to resolve her story in a way that feels satisfying. It's taken me a couple of tries to get there. When I hear you say "heartwarming, illuminating and exciting" I feel so lucky to have a reader as generous and open-hearted as you are.
You've written another beautiful chapter, Ann. Following Annu as she comes to terms with her life is so moving. And, as a nurse myself, I know the physical and emotional cost of caring for others is sometimes unbearably sweet, and at other times, deeply painful. I worked as a visiting nurse for many years and remember leaving homes some days and crying in my car over the suffering some had to endure. Always though, always a privilege to be with them. Thank you so much.
Oh, I feel you, Roseanne. The sweetness and the pain. The work and the honor of doing it--it's a call on one's life. And it's everything we could ever want. I have a wonderful colleague whose prayer every day is: "Use me." Much love to you, Roseanne 💛
It's got that great sense of connectedness, root and branch, caregiving.
Thank you, Wes, we’re all connected in so many ways we’ll never know or understand. But it is lovely to enjoy them through the things we make and share with each other.
Yup, for me the sharing which can create connectedness is what I love most.
Ann, this is such beautiful writing. So tender and nurturing. Annu's voice/essence is a comfort and radiates healing light, even on the page. I wonder if you plan to publish this and share with a larger audience. I have enjoyed reading every bit of it.
Thank you, MK, for encouraging me to imagine something more permanent coming from this small project. I’m never tired of thinking about the microseasons. And this nature-themed fairytale is, for me, a way to feel closer to my great-great grandma in her grief. It seems we live with a collective grief these days. And I think that’s probably always been true in one way or another. There’s always room for more healing and more love. Thank you for your loving attention and encouragement. It’s much appreciated.
Mmm. This chapter moved me the most, like it is the wave of the story growing within the waters, ready to crest — but not just yet.
What I love so much is how I enter deeply into the dreaming of the story. You have a gift for creating a soft threshold that is easy to move across…the texture of the story is alive, something to feel and admire, like I did yesterday in the weaver’s shop with her handwoven cloaks and shawls. I feel the glow and sweetness of the beeswax candles…each person coming to Annu for assistance.
Such loveliness Ann!
Emma, it’s such a gift to be able to see my story through your eyes. I can picture you moving around the Weaver’s shop, appreciating the softness and warmth woven into each textile. We can’t help but weave something of ourselves into everything we make. Thank you for seeing the softness in my tale. That is more than I could ever ask or hope for in a reader. I so appreciate you.
Beautiful. Work is love made visible…💫
Thank you, Brian. When I think about how we only get such a brief time to inhabit the physical world, it makes me really grateful to put my love into service—and to get up tomorrow and do it again. Thanks so much for reading this chapter. It got a little long. It’s hard to rein it in sometimes :-)
Because I have chronic fatigue syndrome, interactions at the social grocery often feel draining. But I have started to see them as a chance for me to give my full attention, like it's a gift. Instead of resisting and thinking about my own symptoms, I try to release my fear of getting overwhelmed and engage fully with the other person. I found to my surprise that I'm actually less drained that way. It was the resisting that took the most out of me. Thanks Ann, for sharing your wisdom.
“It was the resisting that took the most out of me.”
Conny, this is so true.
A heart emoji seems so little to offer for what I felt stir and connect to your words. I am a retired health care professional; how true your words are regarding caregivers.
And then there is this….
This season of my life I am caring for 2 humans and 2 dogs, all nearing the end of their life cycles. And caring for me so that I may continue to care for them. Some days just like Annu it takes its toll and the weight is only released in private at the end of the day. And like Annu, I draw strength from nature throughout each day.
Thank you for this thoughtful story that can be, maybe will be, reflective of anyone and everyone’s life at some point.
Lots of love
This is my favorite part yet and I love this story so much. Your metaphors like moth wings on glass.