Two very relatable things that resonated with me - I, too, surfed for the first time and your walrus description fits me to a T. I, too, want to cold plunge and am contemplating a Polar Bear swim tomorrow but, like you, I hate cold water. Also like you / medical stuff has flattened me (thanks, breast cancer) and I’ll spend 2024 rebuilding. I like the way you described your feelings about all of this and am very glad to have read this piece. Happy New Year to you and Susan.
Be strong! Do the plunge. I chickened out for years... turned 60 last year and finally had faced my irrational fear of the cold water... it was awesome, exhilarating and nowhere near as scary / bad as feared. Doing it tomorrow. Go get it 💪🏼
Happy New Year, Elissa! I hope your 2024 is healthier and easier. But I agree that this complex life we are each given is a smorgasbord of easy and hard, light and heavy, spicy and mild. We must just try to pedal through it all with hope and patience and a decent dose of humor! Reading your wise words always helps keep things in perspective. 😊
Happy New Year 🤍 bought a wetsuit so I can swim in the lake through the cold weather - hoping it’s not one of those purchases that languishes in my closet 😅
Thank you for your refreshing honesty, and for your recommendations. Kenyon is a long-time favorite of mine; her work seems to be enjoying a renaissance. (Are you familiar with Maya Popa’s Stack? A fine writer and, perhaps more importantly, a reader.)
I wish you joy and contentment in every one of your days.
You wrote this while propped up in bed with covid. I read this while propped up in bed with covid. Perfect timing Elissa, as I never ever sit in bed in the day to do such luxurious things as read and watch videos.
I just discovered you here through the Substack stack and really appreciate your collation of videos here. All inspiring and beautiful. Just what we need as we head into 2024. Thanks Jo
Thank you for the video clips and all the insights here, even from your bed suffering with covid. I, too, want to try surfing this year, the year I turn 64. Never too late, right?
I needed this, thank you! Keep good sentences in your ears, yes! I got to the edge of the ocean, put a toe in and decided the ankle plunge was good enough! ❤️
Happy new year! You are part selkie and probably don’t need a surfboard :)
Two very relatable things that resonated with me - I, too, surfed for the first time and your walrus description fits me to a T. I, too, want to cold plunge and am contemplating a Polar Bear swim tomorrow but, like you, I hate cold water. Also like you / medical stuff has flattened me (thanks, breast cancer) and I’ll spend 2024 rebuilding. I like the way you described your feelings about all of this and am very glad to have read this piece. Happy New Year to you and Susan.
Oh! Alison! Be well!
Be strong! Do the plunge. I chickened out for years... turned 60 last year and finally had faced my irrational fear of the cold water... it was awesome, exhilarating and nowhere near as scary / bad as feared. Doing it tomorrow. Go get it 💪🏼
Okay! Maybe I will! A friend of mine just did it in Maine, but she had to break through the ice with a pick first.....
My Maine friends did it too - they're even more courageous! Do it. And BTW thank you for Motherland - just read and loved it.
That’s comforting. Maybe I will!
I always look forward to your words, Elissa, and this one was just right and a joy to read. Wishing you all the very best in the new year and always.
Thank you --
I love this and I love that you are where you are if that makes any sense. It’s a subtle shift but a warm and wonderful one. ❤️❤️
Thank you Susie x
Happy New Year, Elissa! I hope your 2024 is healthier and easier. But I agree that this complex life we are each given is a smorgasbord of easy and hard, light and heavy, spicy and mild. We must just try to pedal through it all with hope and patience and a decent dose of humor! Reading your wise words always helps keep things in perspective. 😊
Happy New Year 🤍 bought a wetsuit so I can swim in the lake through the cold weather - hoping it’s not one of those purchases that languishes in my closet 😅
I've considered it! Sadly, I am 5 foot 1 and zaftig, as they say, so if I size up, they tend to be longer......still working this out.
Exquisite post!
thank you -
Beauty, mystery, the passage of time -- love this post. Happy New Year! Wishing you a quick return to good health.
I hope you feel better soon.
Thank you for your refreshing honesty, and for your recommendations. Kenyon is a long-time favorite of mine; her work seems to be enjoying a renaissance. (Are you familiar with Maya Popa’s Stack? A fine writer and, perhaps more importantly, a reader.)
I wish you joy and contentment in every one of your days.
I've loved Maria's work for years --- Thank you so much for your kind wishes.
You wrote this while propped up in bed with covid. I read this while propped up in bed with covid. Perfect timing Elissa, as I never ever sit in bed in the day to do such luxurious things as read and watch videos.
I just discovered you here through the Substack stack and really appreciate your collation of videos here. All inspiring and beautiful. Just what we need as we head into 2024. Thanks Jo
Feel better!
Thank you for the inspirational brain food! X
Thank you for the video clips and all the insights here, even from your bed suffering with covid. I, too, want to try surfing this year, the year I turn 64. Never too late, right?
I needed this, thank you! Keep good sentences in your ears, yes! I got to the edge of the ocean, put a toe in and decided the ankle plunge was good enough! ❤️
I just love your writing. I hope thst you are geeling better. Wishing you a happy, healthy& peaceful New Yesr!
thank you so much -
I think hope and peace are what resonate so clearly in your writing. Happy New Year!