tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post3741581923034992181..comments2024-03-28T10:58:58.581-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: Walking Through the Dark Jim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-21397435693915447522014-06-30T21:50:53.447-04:002014-06-30T21:50:53.447-04:00Mary, you're so right about finding "wond...Mary, you're so right about finding "wonders we couldn't have even imagined and strength we didn't know we had." It's exactly like when we put our characters to the test. Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-78646102887657534062014-06-30T21:48:50.766-04:002014-06-30T21:48:50.766-04:00I love that line, Carla. "The dark can shape ...I love that line, Carla. "The dark can shape us, but doesn't have to define us." I think that's so true!Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-7645968068870820222014-06-30T21:47:37.273-04:002014-06-30T21:47:37.273-04:00Kara, yes, that initial deep breath and taking sto...Kara, yes, that initial deep breath and taking stock stage is vital.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-46963468884450223682014-06-30T21:40:28.667-04:002014-06-30T21:40:28.667-04:00This is a brave post, and encouraging . . . we fa...<br />This is a brave post, and encouraging . . . we face the dark times and do come through them, somehow, and then find wonders we couldn't have even imagined and strength we didn't know we had. Hugs! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-1232319962943215172014-06-30T20:56:44.125-04:002014-06-30T20:56:44.125-04:00Linda, hoping things settle down soon. The dark ca...Linda, hoping things settle down soon. The dark can shape us, but doesn't have to define us. You're a real survivor.carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15985823239660829148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-28570336402300530392014-06-30T19:04:52.629-04:002014-06-30T19:04:52.629-04:00Thank you for sharing your heartfelt message and b...Thank you for sharing your heartfelt message and beautiful poem, Linda. I've walked in the darkness a few times in my life and agree that taking a deep breath and assessing the situation is key. I'm thinking of you and your son.Kara Cerisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484336785514235707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-27796612929205462732014-06-30T16:40:27.981-04:002014-06-30T16:40:27.981-04:00Sarah, I appreciate that. I'm not a good perso...Sarah, I appreciate that. I'm not a good person with illness or trouble in terms of accepting help. I tend to be like an animal--I just want to hole up in my den until I heal whatever is affecting me. I know that's something I need to change. Perhaps this circumstance has been sent to provide the impetus for that needed change.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-18774664751728474722014-06-30T16:36:51.974-04:002014-06-30T16:36:51.974-04:00Lil, I'm so sorry your friends chastised you f...Lil, I'm so sorry your friends chastised you for the very normal feelings of loss and grief you were feeling. It took me two years to really get over losing the person I had been and the career I had loved, and I think that's fairly usual in those kinds of circumstances. Fortunately, you are a strong, flexible person and have weathered that transition, but the chiding didn't help any with that.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-62632636646829447972014-06-30T16:33:24.742-04:002014-06-30T16:33:24.742-04:00Shari, I love that book and that phrase. Teaching ...Shari, I love that book and that phrase. Teaching that kind of endurance and resilience is one of the things that the best children's/YA literature does--and something that too little of adult literature does.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-29136803998609279802014-06-30T16:31:35.459-04:002014-06-30T16:31:35.459-04:00Gloria, I think you've gone through much darke...Gloria, I think you've gone through much darker times than I have. The death of a child or grandchild is the worst sort of wound. You're obviously an incredibly strong lady.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-37410259013563206642014-06-30T15:28:02.609-04:002014-06-30T15:28:02.609-04:00I'm thinking of you and yours, Linda! I've...I'm thinking of you and yours, Linda! I've been trying to think of something profound to say, but I think after reading your terrific, thoughtful blog and all of these terrific, thoughtful responses, it's hard to say anything other than to just nod and say I'm happy to be here for you in this patch of darkness!Sarah Henninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06822639126179367121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-7849929587147541292014-06-30T14:23:11.420-04:002014-06-30T14:23:11.420-04:00You are remarkable in noting the difficulties of l...You are remarkable in noting the difficulties of life. Due to illness, I recently had to give up my practice as a psychotherapist. I had been working with people for forty years, and not only did I miss the work, I missed my clients. However, I was chastised by my so-called friends for being sad and depressed. I still put one foot in front of the other. And I focus on new things. and I read your work. I hope your life lightens up for you, and your son.lil Glucksternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288522126331817172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-87929768348834155252014-06-30T10:47:28.741-04:002014-06-30T10:47:28.741-04:00I think often of the wisdom in children's book...I think often of the wisdom in children's books. There's a favorite called Going on a Bear Hunt. The children are looking for a bear and on the way they encounter difficulties and roadblocks - a swamp, a snowstorm, a deep dark forest. The refrain goes "can't go over it, can't go under it, we've got to go through it." Such a simple and honest metaphor for life - some things you have to go through. And you come out on the other side.<br />I know you have had to "reset your normal", Linda, and you do it with grace.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-7554219904410161282014-06-30T10:43:32.491-04:002014-06-30T10:43:32.491-04:00Linda, I've certainly gone through those dark ...Linda, I've certainly gone through those dark times; the death of my oldest son to cancer, the death of my first grandchild when she was only six, and the breakup of a long time marriage that caused the loss of my home. Although I had friends and family supporting me, it was up to me to go on with life and sometimes take a new path. I might never have become a teacher if it weren't for trying to find some meaning in life after ny son died. I wouldn't have this old home I love and an active life if I were still married. :-) Having children is a blessing, but also a burden because we worry about them and their hardships become ours.<br /><br />You are in my thoughts and prayers. I feel confident you will get through this dark period.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-39825043128562474122014-06-30T09:37:21.070-04:002014-06-30T09:37:21.070-04:00Yes, Warren. When I had to leave my career in high...Yes, Warren. When I had to leave my career in higher ed because of lupus and fibromyalgia, I had to learn to reset normal also. The woman everyone considered a whirlwind of energy and work became a woman who had to count out and measure the energy she could expend on things. But we do learn to do that.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-15774989543715078842014-06-30T09:32:32.561-04:002014-06-30T09:32:32.561-04:00Sometimes when your emerge on the other side of th...Sometimes when your emerge on the other side of the darkness you have to revise your image of yourself and adjust your goals. After each of my bone marrow transplants due to multiple myeoloma I had a lengthy physical recovery and I had to re-set my concept of "normal" based on the new reality. Family, friends, faith and writing were part of the recovery process.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-14846117328765978282014-06-30T09:15:11.542-04:002014-06-30T09:15:11.542-04:00Thanks, KM. Actually a new opportunity just opened...Thanks, KM. Actually a new opportunity just opened up for my son over the weekend at another university, so between one and the other, I hope he'll be settled in permanent employment with benefits soon.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-42215724417199613052014-06-30T09:13:25.234-04:002014-06-30T09:13:25.234-04:00EB, I don't think you're unfaithful. It...EB, I don't think you're unfaithful. It's part of the way the human brain is wired to be able to look at something like your son's 12-hour drive and see all the things that could go wrong. That's a survival mechanism we've developed through the centuries.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-58820405579737170102014-06-30T09:09:29.276-04:002014-06-30T09:09:29.276-04:00Jim, yes, other people can be key to getting throu...Jim, yes, other people can be key to getting through some of the dark times. Although folks can do it alone--if they have to. Too often, though, we think we have to when we really don't.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-12834580039234997332014-06-30T08:43:45.675-04:002014-06-30T08:43:45.675-04:00You and your family are in our thoughts and prayer...You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers as you navigate this difficult time.<br /><br />Sometimes the despair is justified; sometimes things aren't nearly as bad as they seem.<br /><br />Life does have a way of throwing unexpected barriers in our paths, and all we can do is try to sort them out and come through the crisis.<br /><br />I hope everything works out for you and your son.<br /><br />KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-30395542127063185692014-06-30T07:07:42.578-04:002014-06-30T07:07:42.578-04:00I think of "Faith" a poem by George Sant...I think of "Faith" a poem by George Santayana. "Oh world, thou chooses not the better part!..." <br /><br />Walking through the dark requires faith. I remember a time when I felt as if I couldn't breathe because I didn't have control. I wanted to protect my kids, my husband, myself from all of the bad things that could happen. <br /><br />My son drove twelve hours yesterday to get back to Atlanta. I think of all the things that could have happened--but didn't happen. It's scary. <br /><br />Sometimes I feel when I am discouraged or depressed that I am unfaithful. Shouldn't we have optimism if we truly believe? Then I think--perhaps I'm a sap! Bad things do happen and to good people. <br /><br />Pragmatist that I am, we have nothing to lose by having faith. Somehow it all works out, Linda.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-6095710446035405532014-06-30T04:08:58.151-04:002014-06-30T04:08:58.151-04:00One of the few things I have truly learned is that...One of the few things I have truly learned is that trying to handle tough times alone does not work. I am often reminded to sing these words taken from the American Miners Association:<br /><br />“Step by step, the longest march<br />Can be won, can be won;<br />Single stones will form an arch<br />One by one, one by one;<br />And, by Union what we will<br />Can be accomplished still;<br />Drops of water turn a mill<br />Singly none, singly none.”<br /><br />~ Jim<br />Jim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.com