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Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

I started writing this blog in 2004 when my mother’s health was declining and my desire to move home to New Orleans was all consuming. I wrote my way through one crisis after another until it felt like I had nothing left to say. Then 16 years later, the coronavirus slapped us all upside the head and I found myself looking for a weight to anchor my days.

As Carrie Fisher said, “Take your broken heart, and make it into art.”

In its heyday, I had 10k people reading my blog. I had wonderful experiences of being in another town and someone recognizing me. I had artwork sent to me by anonymous readers. I made friends with artists around the world. I had readers tell me I helped them through depression, PTSD from the 2005 Federal Flood, and others who just made a habit of coming here to read about the self actualization of one woman. I also had people judge me, reprimand me, and call me out for a thing or two.

I’ve learned it’s easier to write about the cracks than the whole because as Leonard Cohen said: The cracks are where the light gets in. So I welcome the return of darkness – my magnifying glass is back out again.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 at 1:56 pm and is filed under Main. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

14 Responses to “Hello Darkness, My Old Friend”

  1. Kristy Clark Says:
    April 1st, 2020 at 3:03 pm

    Thank you. I love this! You are an amazing woman and I am grateful to call you my friend.

  2. Rachel Says:
    April 1st, 2020 at 3:17 pm

    Ditto dear – we are in this LOVE together.

  3. Matt Stieffel Says:
    April 1st, 2020 at 4:24 pm

    Loved seeing you walking by this morning. What a treat. 2 days in a row actually. Wut? LOL. Love you! XOXO <3

  4. Rachel Says:
    April 1st, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    And one day I’ll get to come inside!

  5. JC Tyner Says:
    April 1st, 2020 at 6:43 pm

    I’m so glad you’re returning to this and sharing your worth with us. Thank you!

  6. Nicole Fairconeture Says:
    April 1st, 2020 at 7:56 pm

    Wow! I needed this!! Thanks for sharing! ?

  7. Larkin Gaudet Says:
    April 1st, 2020 at 7:57 pm

    You always inspire me with your words, in person, and I usually walk away from our conversations with a word, phrase or sentence that sticks with me. What a gift to be inspired by you through this blog. Thank you. I can’t wait! Love ?? -Larkin

  8. Rachel Says:
    April 1st, 2020 at 9:39 pm

    same here – walk away with something each time.

  9. Rachel Says:
    April 1st, 2020 at 9:39 pm

    Thanks Nicole – it’s my medicine.

  10. Rachel Says:
    April 1st, 2020 at 9:40 pm

    Thanks Jane – you know how this works.

  11. Su Says:
    April 1st, 2020 at 10:27 pm

    Rachel. Love you, your courage, your light bold spirit.

  12. Karen Aderer Says:
    April 2nd, 2020 at 8:54 am

    I can’t wait to benefit more from your wisdom and inspiration. And I feel blessed by your friendship.

  13. Rachel Says:
    April 2nd, 2020 at 9:33 am

    and I learned that our birthdays are not far apart just the other day – we’ll have to find a way to celebrate together!

  14. Rachel Says:
    April 2nd, 2020 at 9:34 am

    I miss writing with you my friend – I loved your savage energy that would spill out of each page you wrote. I hope you are well.

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