Hi friends. Greetings from an airport, my first of 2023. I impulse bought a plane ticket to New York City last week to see some of the people (and their pets) who had known my dog longest and best, but also just to have a change of scenery, a shift in my perspective. The house is emptier now — not quieter, really, but nevertheless emptier. I needed to reset myself in a way that a visit to New York always does. I was one way and now I’m another way. This is what travel does for us, but in particular for me when I travel to New York.
Hi Jami, I wanted to share this book that really helped me when my cat died. It's called Good Grief. Perhaps you know of it. I always turn to books for comfort so thought I would share this. I also loved the Nick Cave exhibit. I'm glad you got to see that.
As always, loved your piece today. I always think of loss as a void....I am glad you talked of "spaciousness." That helps me with free-ing up to be at peace.
Jami, I read up everything you put on substack (and have just received your latest novel too!) because it feels like you're in the room with me. That's the best I can explain it. You feel close, accessible, and honest as if I can see the whites of your eyes. Thank you! 💜
Lovely, lovely, lovely. Thank you. I'm a Texan and we've been stuck in the house for a week, plus my back has been out and I've missed two weeks of tennis and yoga and I've eaten three boxes of girl scout cookies within that two weeks.
I read every newsletter you write, maybe I have missed a few, but my intention is to read them all. Why? Because what arrives in my inbox from you seems to be just what I need to hear in that moment. Your words feel true and authentic, and that in itself is inspiring. TY.
If you are coming to KdV tonight, look for me, Jami. I'm the Queen of Mama Roux, the last float in this year's parade. I'll have something just for you just in case I see you.
Jami, somehow you always do seem to know, magically, what it is we need to hear. Today it is this manifesto: "How do I want to exist in the world? Like this, writing for people, out there in the ether. People who read letters, who read books. My imaginary audience that is also quite real. How am I going to do the work? Diligently, steadily, and with compassion."
I think the goal for today is to write my own answers to those questions, and tape them on the wall by my desk.
I hope your day is full of parades and sunshine. Thank you for always having the words.
This is a lovely way to describe who you’re writing for, and I also lost my beautiful old dog this year and reading your words has been a moving and meaningful comfort
Lovely, listen to Krista Tippet's interview with Dasher Keltner on Awe, I wrote about something similar for a column for a publication on the intersection of anguish and awe, but his has "scientific validity."
Feb 4, 2023·edited Feb 4, 2023Liked by Jami Attenberg
This moved me so much, I felt compelled to sign up for a paid membership just to comment. (Joking, but also not really. I love your work Jami.) Everything you write is so f*cking meaningful, because it is from the heart. It can be felt. Sending you the warmest of vibes 🌹🌟
I think because you write these from your heart, more often than not, you manage to write what we need to read. Thank you!
Cave's question rattles through my mind in so many different ways, and his concise phrasing helps so much. Thank you for sharing this - I needed it.
You're reaching me <3
Hi Jami, I wanted to share this book that really helped me when my cat died. It's called Good Grief. Perhaps you know of it. I always turn to books for comfort so thought I would share this. I also loved the Nick Cave exhibit. I'm glad you got to see that.
https://bookshop.org/p/books/good-grief-on-loving-pets-here-and-hereafter-e-b-bartels/17253756?ean=9780358212331
Jami, you reach me every time. Please keep going.
As always, loved your piece today. I always think of loss as a void....I am glad you talked of "spaciousness." That helps me with free-ing up to be at peace.
Jami, I read up everything you put on substack (and have just received your latest novel too!) because it feels like you're in the room with me. That's the best I can explain it. You feel close, accessible, and honest as if I can see the whites of your eyes. Thank you! 💜
Lovely, lovely, lovely. Thank you. I'm a Texan and we've been stuck in the house for a week, plus my back has been out and I've missed two weeks of tennis and yoga and I've eaten three boxes of girl scout cookies within that two weeks.
I read every newsletter you write, maybe I have missed a few, but my intention is to read them all. Why? Because what arrives in my inbox from you seems to be just what I need to hear in that moment. Your words feel true and authentic, and that in itself is inspiring. TY.
If you are coming to KdV tonight, look for me, Jami. I'm the Queen of Mama Roux, the last float in this year's parade. I'll have something just for you just in case I see you.
Jami, somehow you always do seem to know, magically, what it is we need to hear. Today it is this manifesto: "How do I want to exist in the world? Like this, writing for people, out there in the ether. People who read letters, who read books. My imaginary audience that is also quite real. How am I going to do the work? Diligently, steadily, and with compassion."
I think the goal for today is to write my own answers to those questions, and tape them on the wall by my desk.
I hope your day is full of parades and sunshine. Thank you for always having the words.
This is a lovely way to describe who you’re writing for, and I also lost my beautiful old dog this year and reading your words has been a moving and meaningful comfort
Lovely, listen to Krista Tippet's interview with Dasher Keltner on Awe, I wrote about something similar for a column for a publication on the intersection of anguish and awe, but his has "scientific validity."
Lovely! And have fun at the parades!
We most definitely are speaking together every week <3 and I look forward to each of your posts xoxoxo
This moved me so much, I felt compelled to sign up for a paid membership just to comment. (Joking, but also not really. I love your work Jami.) Everything you write is so f*cking meaningful, because it is from the heart. It can be felt. Sending you the warmest of vibes 🌹🌟