Losing my dad to Alzheimer’s is hard—it feels so cruel. At the same time, I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have access to free mental health support through work benefits. It’s a small mercy in the midst of something so fucking hard.
I can't imagine what it would be like to loose someone close to you with Alzheimers. I think about this with mental health too - I am so lucky to have it and yet it is so expensive and the list goes on. I can relate hardcore. I love the way you said it was a small mercy...
Hard: In the same week, I found out my husband had been keeping a secret from me since we met and I got moderate head trauma. Nearly a year on from both, and I still don’t know which of those is why I have an art block I can’t seem to break.
Really hard: neither of those was my fault so I logically shouldn’t blame myself for it (just play the cards I’m dealt, so to speak.)
The hardest of all: I wouldn’t blame a friend or say she should talk to her like she “deserved it”… meaning that I deserve to extend that same kindness to myself.
Something lucky: besides that I’m still here?
Luckier still: That I’ve had enough wonderful people in my life and grown to a point where I can treat myself like I’d treat a friend - and even if I currently have few to count on, the couple I do have are real, and important…
Lucky Charms marshmallows kind of lucky:… and no matter what, I’ve known people who have taught me things that built positive foundations in my brain, changed me for the better, even if one day that friendship ends.
Generally, I like to try and make my own luck, but it doesn’t hurt to have an ace (or two… or maybe some extra snacks… 🤷🏻♀️) up your sleeve just in case.
OH I loved this. I love the luck and unlucky on a spectrum. I don't want to forget that we are so lucky just to be here. I want to remember that daily. I LOVED reading this. The logic is so good and yes, we should treat ourselves like we would our dear friends.
This is so gorgeous! Congrats on this beautiful show, Carissa, and for making the space for your art in this way, honoring your own birthday! I feel lucky to know you, and to have space in my life to make art and music, too. ❤️
This is fantastic. I wish I could have been there for the opening! Beautiful art and beautiful creation story. Happy birthday! Mine is on Saturday!! Xxoo
I'm lucky that I met my husband when I did and he and I balance each other out. It's hard to be what the other needs when we need it.
Oh my god. And keep it going throughout a lifetime. Rock on! I know it can work!
Losing my dad to Alzheimer’s is hard—it feels so cruel. At the same time, I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have access to free mental health support through work benefits. It’s a small mercy in the midst of something so fucking hard.
I can't imagine what it would be like to loose someone close to you with Alzheimers. I think about this with mental health too - I am so lucky to have it and yet it is so expensive and the list goes on. I can relate hardcore. I love the way you said it was a small mercy...
Saying something…
Hard: In the same week, I found out my husband had been keeping a secret from me since we met and I got moderate head trauma. Nearly a year on from both, and I still don’t know which of those is why I have an art block I can’t seem to break.
Really hard: neither of those was my fault so I logically shouldn’t blame myself for it (just play the cards I’m dealt, so to speak.)
The hardest of all: I wouldn’t blame a friend or say she should talk to her like she “deserved it”… meaning that I deserve to extend that same kindness to myself.
Something lucky: besides that I’m still here?
Luckier still: That I’ve had enough wonderful people in my life and grown to a point where I can treat myself like I’d treat a friend - and even if I currently have few to count on, the couple I do have are real, and important…
Lucky Charms marshmallows kind of lucky:… and no matter what, I’ve known people who have taught me things that built positive foundations in my brain, changed me for the better, even if one day that friendship ends.
Generally, I like to try and make my own luck, but it doesn’t hurt to have an ace (or two… or maybe some extra snacks… 🤷🏻♀️) up your sleeve just in case.
And I never travel without snacks.
OH I loved this. I love the luck and unlucky on a spectrum. I don't want to forget that we are so lucky just to be here. I want to remember that daily. I LOVED reading this. The logic is so good and yes, we should treat ourselves like we would our dear friends.
Something hard....Trying to survive in a world that is partial towards extroverts, as an introvert.
Something lucky....At risk of sounding hubristic, I love myself. In a world where we are taught to hate so much about ourselves, I love that for me.
I want to mirror your statement totally. I love being an introvert who loves people. Or that is the story I am telling myself..
Breaking up with the love of my life is the hardest thing for me recently.
Yet, it is also the luckiest thing. I'm on my own and I'm learning to love myself.
wow. Hard but lucky, very much so. Mending a broken heart.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Impossibly hard? Our newly empty nest.
Lucky? To love our kid so much that we miss them.
If that is not bittersweet, I don't know what is. So beautiful.
This is so gorgeous! Congrats on this beautiful show, Carissa, and for making the space for your art in this way, honoring your own birthday! I feel lucky to know you, and to have space in my life to make art and music, too. ❤️
And I have an email coming to you!
This is fantastic. I wish I could have been there for the opening! Beautiful art and beautiful creation story. Happy birthday! Mine is on Saturday!! Xxoo
OH OH my! We are both bulls? I love our signs. Is may the second most common month to be born in? Happy to be in it with you Susan as always.
Everything that is so fucking hard and then becomes even a little bit easier is LUCKY.
Agreed. I always forget that things change. They feel so static in the moment.
https://open.substack.com/pub/alkatp/p/the-hanged-man-poetry?r=5jq1a3&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Did you make the image of the man with the hanger? It is brilliant.
I am feeling touch-starved too. I feel and relate to that so strongly.
I feel lucky to be growing and slowly building my life, grateful to be at my own time.