'Have you ever been someone before you knew it'?... That's a good question and in retrospect I'm realising, yes I have, a couple of times actually but I never really thought about it until now... This is a good reminder to bring more awareness and presence to seemingly chance encounters with people we don't take particular notice of or sometimes even completely dismiss, which we're all guilty of, I'm sure...
I've spontaneously jumped on the tire swing too, by the way (literally and metophorically speaking). Sometimes the rope breaks, but there's no shame in following whatever call you felt inclined to follow in that moment... For the record, I'm glad you didn't seriously injure yourself though.
Thank you Stephanie. It’s my big regret , I want to go back and be kind and take her hot water. I want to talk to her more. Now I’m her , I’m so much more aware and it’s a great reminder as you say. ❤️
“Have you ever been someone before you knew it?” is going to stay with me for a while. It’s unsettling how easily we step into lives we once only observed from a distance. The image of you drinking that glass of wine in stunned silence felt so raw and real. There’s something about that rope snapping that reads bigger than the swing itself. I’m glad you got up, even if you didn’t feel okay.
Thank you , I’m really glad you enjoyed the post. It’s quite unsettling isn’t it, until you step in someone else’s shoes , you don’t really have any idea, I guess I was in my own bubble back then.
Horrible experience and memory for you Francis. Strange, isn't it, how we hate others seeing us in vulnerable positions. I can imagine you're pretty much the same as me, in that if I witnessed someone fall or tumble, I'd go to help and try to make them feel better. I suppose not everyone's wired like that, hence our reluctance to admit to mishap or frailty.
It was Margaret, I still suffer with neck pain today. My mum raised the three of us as a single mum, she never remarried or had a partner after her separation with my dad. I didn’t appreciate it as a kid back then. It’s only now I’m a single mum that I fully appreciate how bloody hard it is. 😢 but at least their dad is in their life.
Love it. I'm a bit of a camper. Love the freedom of it all, the self reliance. The freedom for the kids to play in nature instead of doomscrolling or goggleboxing.
It's little things that you miss really, isn't it? The snuggle, the sympathy, someone to talk to. Or rather the trust that the person you talk to is on your side and not saving up to weaponise it.
What a fabulous and also super vulnerable/revealing question "have you ever been someone before you knew it" - yes, I think so, both in good and bad ways. What a moving post.
Really beautiful writing. I look back on things I’ve adventured into naively (but how else?) and at least part of me is glad I had the confidence in that moment and the wisdom now. Another part of me thinks, if only the rope hadn’t snapped and I had to hit the ground, ‘reality’ wouldn’t feel so fraught.
This made me cry - I am not sure why - and yes, I have been that single parent boiling water just in case ...
😢😢😢 it’s so hard being a single parent , I understand now 8 years on. ❤️
'Have you ever been someone before you knew it'?... That's a good question and in retrospect I'm realising, yes I have, a couple of times actually but I never really thought about it until now... This is a good reminder to bring more awareness and presence to seemingly chance encounters with people we don't take particular notice of or sometimes even completely dismiss, which we're all guilty of, I'm sure...
I've spontaneously jumped on the tire swing too, by the way (literally and metophorically speaking). Sometimes the rope breaks, but there's no shame in following whatever call you felt inclined to follow in that moment... For the record, I'm glad you didn't seriously injure yourself though.
Thank you Stephanie. It’s my big regret , I want to go back and be kind and take her hot water. I want to talk to her more. Now I’m her , I’m so much more aware and it’s a great reminder as you say. ❤️
“Have you ever been someone before you knew it?” is going to stay with me for a while. It’s unsettling how easily we step into lives we once only observed from a distance. The image of you drinking that glass of wine in stunned silence felt so raw and real. There’s something about that rope snapping that reads bigger than the swing itself. I’m glad you got up, even if you didn’t feel okay.
Thank you , I’m really glad you enjoyed the post. It’s quite unsettling isn’t it, until you step in someone else’s shoes , you don’t really have any idea, I guess I was in my own bubble back then.
Horrible experience and memory for you Francis. Strange, isn't it, how we hate others seeing us in vulnerable positions. I can imagine you're pretty much the same as me, in that if I witnessed someone fall or tumble, I'd go to help and try to make them feel better. I suppose not everyone's wired like that, hence our reluctance to admit to mishap or frailty.
It’s a terrible memory, even writing this my neck has been hurting so much 🤦🏻♀️
That sounded very painful Francis. I loved that you had the sense of adventure to do it though.
My mum was a single parent and I remember well how hard it was for her. My youngest sister too.
It’s something I haven’t forgotten and a good message to try and put yourself in someone else’s shoes x
It was Margaret, I still suffer with neck pain today. My mum raised the three of us as a single mum, she never remarried or had a partner after her separation with my dad. I didn’t appreciate it as a kid back then. It’s only now I’m a single mum that I fully appreciate how bloody hard it is. 😢 but at least their dad is in their life.
I so relate to the single parent pariah feeling. And the rope swing 😱 that must have been bloody terrifying. Sending hugs xoxo
Thanks Hannah, it was really was 🤦🏻♀️ xx
Love it. I'm a bit of a camper. Love the freedom of it all, the self reliance. The freedom for the kids to play in nature instead of doomscrolling or goggleboxing.
It's little things that you miss really, isn't it? The snuggle, the sympathy, someone to talk to. Or rather the trust that the person you talk to is on your side and not saving up to weaponise it.
Thanks TRT 😃
What a fabulous and also super vulnerable/revealing question "have you ever been someone before you knew it" - yes, I think so, both in good and bad ways. What a moving post.
Thank you Liza ❤️
Really beautiful writing. I look back on things I’ve adventured into naively (but how else?) and at least part of me is glad I had the confidence in that moment and the wisdom now. Another part of me thinks, if only the rope hadn’t snapped and I had to hit the ground, ‘reality’ wouldn’t feel so fraught.
All to say, I feel you!
Thank you Lauren ❤️